The Earth is a closed system and it is self-regulating: as long as humans keep taking care of it and pulling down carbon, the climate will stay pretty much the same. There will be variations, but as long as we limit global warming to 1.5 or 2 degrees, we will be fine.
What if climate change happens faster than we expect? What if we can’t manage the temperature increases that are coming? Luckily, there are alternative forms of energy that do not rely on fossil fuels and can potentially transform the way we generate electricity. These are the solar and wind energies, which have the advantages of being free and abundant. They can’t provide the same level of energy as fossil fuels, but coupled with a good battery storage system, they can provide some very useful and adaptable alternatives.
Which one do you think will be the future energy source for the planet? Most people would say solar energy because it’s the more modern and trendy of the two. However, if we stop and think for a second, we can see that there are many advantages to wind energy.
In fact, there are so many advantages to wind energy that it would be justified to call it the ultimate renewable energy source. When we compare it to fossil fuels and solar energy, the advantage becomes very clear. Let’s take a closer look by breaking down the comparison piece by piece.
Advantages Of Wind Energy
Wind energy can be measured in many ways, but the most common ones are the watts per square meter and the megawatts. The advantage of these measurements is that it allows for apples-to-apples comparisons, regardless of where you are located or what the climate is like. For example, if you live in a place that gets a lot of wind but the grid does not have enough capacity to store all the energy that is generated, then more megawatts are needed than you might expect. In this case, your best bet is to invest in a fast-acting generator that can boost output when needed. This way, you will not only provide your own energy but also eliminate the possibility of power outages.
Another important measurement that can be used to compare different wind energies is the speed. When you measure wind speed, there is normally a reference point that you use to determine how fast the wind is blowing. For example, if you are in a place that does not have a lot of wind, then the reference point will be the ground. If you live in a place where the wind is always very fast, then the reference point will be a fixed object, such as a flag or a taut rope.
When it comes to comparing different forms of energy, including fossil fuels and solar, it is important to put things in context. This is why, instead of comparing the energies in absolute terms, you should always compare them relative to one another. In other words, you should look at how much energy each source provides in relation to how much energy is needed. To put this in perspective, consider the following example: you are in a place where fossil fuels are scarce and expensive but, thanks to an appropriate storage system, you have a large amount of solar radiation. In this case, you might choose to use solar energy for cooking and heating, but you will not be able to generate enough electricity to run your electronics or meet the needs of your industry. In this situation, the best option is to use wind energy to generate electricity that you can store in a battery. Once the battery is charged, you can use the electricity for whatever you want.
Advantages Of Solar Energy
While we have discussed advantages of wind energy above, the situation is reversed when comparing solar energy to wind energy. In most cases, people think that solar energy is better than wind energy because it does not rely on the weather and can be produced even in places where the climate is not very good. The following are the main advantages of solar energy:
Scalable
Thanks to recent technological advancements, we now have the possibility to produce and store solar energy in large amounts. The ability to scale up and down as needed is very important because it allows for more adaptability and reduces the need to rely on fossil fuels, which are more expensive and more difficult to obtain. This is particularly important because the amount of solar radiation that we receive naturally varies by the season and location. In the winter, it is very common for solar panels to be covered in ice, which dramatically reduces their efficiency.
Zero-emission
Just like with fossil fuels, using solar energy does not emit any harmful gases into the atmosphere. When solar panels are integrated into a building, they can also provide some very useful functions, such as shading and temperature control. If you look at the bigger picture, then zero-emission is actually an important selling point of solar energy because it has the potential to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and let us become more independent of energy suppliers.
Eco-friendliness
Using solar energy does not produce toxic substances during the production process. Instead, it is considered to be one of the most eco-friendly sources of energy because it does not leave any waste behind. When solar panels are installed on a commercial or industrial building, they can provide not only useful electrical power but also improve the environment by reducing the need for air conditioning and refrigeration. In some cases, it can also lead to reductions in heat-related illnesses and in extreme situations, it can even provide some relief from flooding and droughts.
Durability
A major advantage of using solar energy is that it is very rugged and durable. Even though solar panels are very sensitive to heavy rainfall or hail damage, they can usually be fixed or replaced without too much trouble. This makes them more suitable for use in harsher or more extreme environments than regular electrical generators.
The sensitivity of solar panels to damage also makes them more suitable for shipping and moving around. If you ever think about moving an electrical generator to a different site, then it is going to be very heavy and extremely difficult to do. With solar panels, the hardware is usually very light and can be shipped easily. This makes them the perfect choice for remote and underserved locations, such as oil rigs in the Gulf or oil field workers in the Arctic Circle.
All things considered, it is safe to say that wind energy is the ultimate renewable energy option when compared to fossil fuels and solar energy. The reason is simple: no matter where you are or what climate you are facing, wind energy will always be there to provide power.
This being said, not all places are suitable for wind energy. You must have stable conditions to ensure that the turbine does not damage itself or other property. In addition, you must have sufficient space to allow for the rotation of the turbine. If you do not have these conditions, then other forms of energy, such as solar, will be the better choice.
The main point is that with renewable energy, there is no single solution that fits all situations. Each solution will depend on the individual circumstances. When it comes to selecting an energy source, you must always weigh the pros and the cons and choose the one that fits your specific needs and situation.