What resources will be most important to society in the next century? The answer depends on many factors, including our level of technological development, the rate of inflation, and the environment. One of the most important non-renewable resources to consider is the fossil fuel. This includes oil, coal, and gas. We have already seen the effects of climate change caused by fossil fuel use – from floods in the Middle East to rising sea levels. It’s time to move away from fossil fuels. That’s why solar energy is considered a renewable resource.
While we have seen a sharp increase in renewable energy generation in the past few years, mainly thanks to solar energy, it is still only a small portion of the total energy generation. However, this is expected to change in the coming years. As the technology matures, costs decrease, and new applications are discovered, the share of renewable energy in total energy use will grow. This is a trend that is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
The Rise In Renewable Energy
When looking at the history of renewable energy, it’s important to consider the levels of technological development and the economic conditions of the time. These factors allowed for the development of certain technologies that are no longer possible due to the restrictions that limited resources and the lack of interest put on technological progress. For instance, the steam engine was once considered a great advance over relying on animal power for traction. However, as we move forward into the 21st century, it’s clear that this is no longer the case. Today, the internal combustion engine, combined with sophisticated electronics, allows for much greater efficiency and less frequent maintenance.
Wind turbines, hydroelectric plants, and solar energy plants were all once believed to be unrealistic because of the high costs associated with the construction of these huge plants. However, as we’ve seen in the last few years, the construction costs of these plants have come down and are now much more affordable. It’s important to note here that even with the recent drop in prices, these are still very expensive compared to traditional energy sources. Despite this, the cost of electricity produced by these plants is now much more attractive. In addition, these sources are a lot more environmentally friendly and are considered clean energy because they don’t emit any harmful gases when generated. There have already been positive developments with regard to the environment as a result of the use of renewable energy.
The Growth Of Solar Energy
Let’s take a brief look at the growth of solar energy over the past century.
In 1922, a solar energy farm in California generated enough electricity to illuminate a small town. Since then, photovoltaic technology has taken off, particularly in America, with many areas of the country switching over to solar energy. As a result, the demand for solar power has grown exponentially, leading to the development of many large-scale solar energy plants.
These plants use large panels made of plastic or glass to absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. The amount of energy that can be generated by these plants is incredible. For example, the solar farm in California, which is still one of the largest in the world, generates about 140 megawatts. That’s enough electricity to power 140,000 homes.
But not all solar energy is created equal. Different technologies will generate different amounts of energy depending on the intensity of the sun. In general, solar panels that are aligned towards the south will generate more energy than those placed northward.
Why Solar Energy Is Considered Renewable
Because it originates from the sun, it’s not difficult to see why solar energy is considered a renewable resource. Unlike energy that is generated by fossil fuels, whose share in total energy generation is steadily decreasing, the amount of solar energy available to us never seems to run out. In addition, the technology for generating solar energy has matured to the point where it’s now relatively inexpensive. This has led to the development of many renewable energy sources. In 2022, about 7% of the world’s energy comes from solar energy. That’s more than 600 million barrels of oil equivalent per day, which is enough to power all of Europe.
The reason that solar energy has attracted so much interest is due to the fact that it’s a very clean and green source of energy. This is primarily because solar energy doesn’t emit any toxic gases or particulates when generated. In addition, many renewable energy technologies allow for greater efficiency and less waste. When looking at the future of energy, these are the sources that we must focus on. By using less energy, we are using less of a non-renewable resource while also generating less pollution.
The Impact Of Climate Change
In recent years, we’ve begun to see the effects of climate change caused by the increased consumption of fossil fuels. The impact of climate change is being felt across the world, especially in low-lying areas and island nations. Many people living in these areas are already suffering from the effects of climate change. For example, rising sea levels have caused flooding and forced residents to find new places to live.
Sea levels have risen by about 8 inches in the past century, and scientists expect them to continue rising for the foreseeable future. This is largely due to the increased level of atmospheric carbon dioxide, which is primarily emitted as a result of fossil fuel combustion. The more carbon dioxide that is in the atmosphere, the more the temperatures will rise. This is already being seen in the form of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and floods. In the coming decades, the world’s oceans will become more acidic as a result of all of this pollution. This will have a severe impact on the environment. It’s clear that we must reduce our energy consumption and shift away from fossil fuels.
In addition to this, we need to consider the impact that climate change is having on the agriculture and food production sectors. This, in turn, influences the amount of energy that we consume. For example, lower temperatures allow plants to grow and mature more quickly, resulting in greater food production. However, it can also mean that some foods are more likely to be affected by climate change than others. For example, strawberries are very sensitive to cold temperatures, and so are pineapples, avocados, and bananas.
The Future Of Energy
Looking to the future, it’s difficult to know which energy sources will be vital in the years to come. There are so many unknowns. What will be the cost of energy? Will there be more efficient ways to generate energy? What impact will climate change have on energy? Will the use of nuclear power increase or decrease?
The world is changing, and we need to change with it. There are many questions regarding the future of energy, but one thing is certain – in the coming years, we will need more energy than we’ve ever required before. As a result of this, it is essential that we find a way to generate energy that is as clean and green as possible. Fortunately, there are many renewable energy sources that we can look to for solutions. Wind turbines, solar energy plants, and hydroelectric plants are just a few examples.