There are many good reasons for using renewable energy sources. They are cleaner and less polluting than traditional forms of energy, such as coal and gas. And “renewable” means they are replenished resources, so you theoretically have an infinite supply. However, these resources can be mismanaged, too, resulting in damage to the environment.
These energy sources are becoming easier to access through deregulation in some states. Sites such as Energysavings.com allow individuals to select the energy providers they wish to work with. When selecting businesses to work with, it’s good to understand the potential risks, so you can evaluate how well the company is keeping things under control.
The Union of Concerned Scientists lists the current renewable energy sources as:
• Wind Power
• Solar Power
• Geothermal Power
• Biomass
• Hydroelectric
Each type of energy source has a potential impact on the environment if not kept under control. The most likely risks will come from over-demand and cutting of corners in an attempt to meet increased needs. Self-regulation and federal and state regulations help keep this from happening.
The Environmental Protection Association (EPA) says one common problem with all of these sources of energy is in the transmission of energy. Wind farms and geothermal plants are built outside of populated areas and need to get power back to consumers. This can mean the clearing of huge stretches of land to run power lines. A straight route for these power lines is more efficient, which can mean the destruction of large areas of habitat to make way for the construction.
Wind Power
Efficient wind power generation requires the construction of tall towers, which some people oppose because it spoils the appearance of the countryside. The large turbines and propeller blades can be noisy. Some people have complained the vibrations from turbines cause headaches. According to National Geographic Green Living, more then 30,000 birds are killed every year by the turbine blades.
Solar Power
Solar panels are normally placed on existing structures, but new large-scale projects are planned to be built in open areas. This requires land use, which impacts habitats and wildlife. The actual generation of electricity from solar panels is low-risk, but the manufacturing of the solar cells requires the use of hazardous materials.
Geothermal Energy
Some plants are located near geothermally active spots. Others require deep drilling to get to the heated resources. Drilling requires more extensive land use and introduces some risk of shifting earth. Water-cooled plants may dump heated water back into rivers and streams, killing wildlife.
Biomass
The burning of plant and animal material to produce electricity can put pollutants into the air, like any fossil fuel plant. The feedstock, or fuel, that goes into a plant can be monitored and controlled. If not managed correctly, too much feedstock can be removed, harming the environment.
Hydroelectric Power
Hydropower requires the damming of active rivers. Significant amounts of land are forced underwater. Wildlife moves out of the area. Fish that once traveled the waterways now can’t move. Whole populations of fish can be endangered.
Knowing how each of these renewable energy resources can be mismanaged and harm the environment helps you research potential power companies and energy suppliers. Ask how each of the risks are being addressed. Select a supplier that meets your needs and is working to have minimal impact on the environment.
Guest Post by Randy Reed
Randy grew up in a family of hunters outdoors men and women. He also teaches creative writing workshops.
The opinions expressed by the guest blogger and those providing comments are theirs alone and do not reflect the opinions of the University of Rochester or any employee thereof. University of Rochester is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information within the guest blog.
Great read. One of the foremost self-evident reasons to contribute to sun based boards is since it’s a renewable vitality source. This implies that we’re able to persistently collect the vitality from the sun. Until the end of time.
Your article is really interesting and informative too, Thank you for sharing this with us. I totally agree with you in this, If we see today electricity cost is raising day by day so we can go for solar energy where we are going to do an investment and in return we will get a lot of benefits like saving electricity, reducing electricity bill and as of course our place cost will be increased too. Your article was worth reading, Keep sharing such things.
Thanks for sharing a article about renewable energy it is really informative post .Renewable sources are very important for creating green and prosperous world and decreasing pollution. Biomass and agriculture waste can be recycle through briquette press machine and convert into biomass energy which is renewable source of energy and Eco friendly in nature.A Solar panel is typically a panel that absorbs solar energy and uses it as a source of energy to generate electricity. They are basically made up of solar cells or the photovoltaic cells that are arranged as a photovoltaic array making up the photovoltaic system.
I know a place which is one of the best solar installation company provides best solar services and products that are not just economical, but also efficient with customized solutions to offer you the best from our vast range of affordable models…
Thanks for your comment. There may not be one end-all be-all solution, but we certainly agree that solar energy can be very viable in certain situations.
traditional source s of electricity. such as coal and oil ,emit byproducts such as carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxides, particulate dust and mercury. Each of these byproducts is associated with known environmental challenges, including global climate change, acid rains, smog and contaminated fisheries, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Solar panels can reduce this pollution by lowering the energy needs of every dwelling they power. This means solar is the future for everyone.
Biomass briquetting plant working as eco friendly resource and uses agriculture wastage materials as raw materials which are sulfur less and never spread pollution while burning. So due to renewable energy plant it never effect bad to atmosphere.
Renewable energy resources are best to produce electricity and therefore they should be promoted among general public.
Power plant maintenance
There are many renewable source of energy but briquette machine is a source through which we can make briquettes which are used to heat industrial boilers. And briquettes are eco friendly so it is also know as white coal.
Briquetting plant needed to convert agro waste into solid fuel. Environmental protection is possible only through briquetting plant. It is a technology which converts agro waste into briquettes that is solid fuel.
And biomass is one of the option thorough which we can prevent pollution.
As increasing pollution and other global warming situations, we must choose the renewable resources as they never cause any harm to our environment. The biomass briquette plant is used for the renewable resource manufacturing for saving the future of environment.
Renewable sources are very important for creating green and prosperous world and decreasing pollution. Biomass and agriculture waste can be recycle through briquette press machine and convert into biomass energy which is renewable source of energy and Eco friendly in nature.
You might try volunteering with some green ogainizrtaons that are doing what you’re passionate about to begin documenting your efforts and knowledge. This movement is still very new so they’re won’t be many people who can demonstrate their green job status. You might also try to draw connections between what you currently do and the green job movement look at what you’re doing now that can be considered green or could be green.