The world is awash with a variety of energy sources. In 2018 fossil fuels, like gas, oil and coal, were responsible for over 81 percent of the energy consumed. Renewables, including solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity and biomass, make up for 14 percent. Nuclear energy is another 5 percent. Different countries have different energy sources to balance economic needs and environmental concerns.
Nature’s energy comes in many forms including sun, wind waves and ocean. These sources of energy are transformed into more convenient energy forms, such as electricity or heat, when they are harnessed. When those energies are used up, they become non-renewable energy sources.
Many fossil fuels as well as some of other energy sources that are not renewable can be harmful to the environment. For instance, mining for oil can destroy the forests of the planet. Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) can trigger earthquakes and pollution of water. The combustion of coal releases carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming.
Fortunately, some of the most promising energy https://leonardogiombini.it/2021/12/18/technical-managerial-areas-in-the-civil-infrastructure sources are sustainable and renewable. Hydropower, solar energy and wind power for instance, could produce electricity without having to dig for new supplies.
Other renewable energy sources are emerging, such as waves and tidal power. To be used on a large-scale, these technologies require efficient distribution networks. This requires the use of non-renewable energy sources to construct these networks. Therefore, these sources are not yet able to provide the bulk of our energy needs. It’s vital to remember that the prices of renewable energy equipment has drastically decreased in recent years and that efficiency is increasing.