Fossil fuels have been the main source of energy since the Industrial Revolution, but their depletion and environmental damage have led to a push for sustainable energy sources. Solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy are renewable and sustainable, while biofuels are controversial. Further scientific advances and investment are needed for sustainable energy to handle modern consumption.
Since the Industrial Revolution in the mid-18th century, human society has largely been run by unsustainable forms of energy. The drying up of fossil fuel reserves, combined with a greater understanding of the environmental damage caused by fossil fuels, has led to a greater push towards sustainable energy sources. There are many different forms of sustainable energy, although most remain in their technological infancy and require further scientific advances and investment before they are fully capable of handling modern energy consumption.
Fossil fuels, most typically in the form of coal, oil and natural gas, are used in nearly every type of device that requires energy to operate. These fuels come from a natural degradation of organic fossils over millions of years. Although fossil fuels have been used throughout human history for various purposes, their extreme importance did not occur until the industrial revolution and the development of motorized transportation. Since automobiles, jets, and heating systems have come into prominence, human use of fossil fuels has increased tremendously, leading to a devastating overuse of available resources. As a result, most experts suggest that the Earth’s fossil fuels will run out in the next few centuries, making the search for sustainable fuels not only altruistic but imperative for the survival of human technology.
A sustainable energy source is one that does not deplete the original resource or uses resources that can be replenished easily and effectively. The use of solar energy, for example, is considered sustainable, because absorbing and using the sun’s heat or light does not reduce the sun’s power or size. Ethanol, which is produced from some crops, is also sometimes considered sustainable energy since the crops can be easily replanted and replenished.
Hydroelectricity is a sustainable energy used to power generators. This widely used renewable energy source works by using the gravitational pull of water. Falling water or incoming tidal streams are funneled through the machines, forcing the internal turbines to spin and generate power. In most cases, the water is pushed back and forth between reservoirs at different heights or released into the ocean after passing through turbines. Wind and geothermal energy work in much the same way, using renewable natural forces to power turbines and consequently generators.
Solar energy works by absorbing light and heat from the sun. Solar thermal energy can absorb heat from the sun and transfer it to water, making it an efficient sustainable energy source for water heaters and swimming pools. Photovoltaic solar energy absorbs sunlight into solar panels, where the absorbed electrons bounce off the silicon solar cells, creating an electric current that can be used for energy.
Ethanol, biodiesel and biogas are slightly more controversial sources of sustainable energy. These technologies use the processed products of plants and organisms to create alternatives to fuels. Unfortunately, in the case of ethanol, processing and combustion results in high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Biofuels, such as algae biodiesel, are a possibly greener alternative, but remain mostly in experimental or small-scale use. However, many experts believe that all three technologies will play an important role in expanding the sustainable energy market.
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