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The Potential of Solar Energy

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Published: Jan 30, 2024

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The benefits of solar energy, addressing common concerns and challenges, government support and policies.

• United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2021). Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
• National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2021). Solar Energy Basics.
• U.S. Department of Energy. (2021). Solar Energy Technologies Office.
• International Renewable Energy Agency. (2021). Battery Storage for Renewables: Market Status and Technology Outlook.
• U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2021). Solar Energy: FAQs.
• International Solar Energy Society. (2021). Solar Transition: Pathways to a Sustainable Energy Future.
• Solar Energy Industries Association. (2021). Solar Investment Tax Credits (ITC).
• International Energy Agency. (2021). Renewables 2021: Analysis and Forecast to 2026.

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renewable energy

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• U.S. Energy Information Administration - Energy Kids - Energy Sources - Renewable
• Natural Resources Defense Council - Renewable Energy: The Clean Facts
• Energy.gov - Renewable Energy
• United Nations - What is renewable energy?
• World Nuclear Association - Renewable Energy and Electricity
• alternative energy - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
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renewable energy , usable energy derived from replenishable sources such as the Sun ( solar energy ), wind ( wind power ), rivers ( hydroelectric power ), hot springs ( geothermal energy ), tides ( tidal power ), and biomass ( biofuels ).

At the beginning of the 21st century, about 80 percent of the world’s energy supply was derived from fossil fuels such as coal , petroleum , and natural gas . Fossil fuels are finite resources; most estimates suggest that the proven reserves of oil are large enough to meet global demand at least until the middle of the 21st century. Fossil fuel combustion has a number of negative environmental consequences. Fossil-fueled power plants emit air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide , particulate matter , nitrogen oxides, and toxic chemicals (heavy metals: mercury , chromium , and arsenic ), and mobile sources, such as fossil-fueled vehicles, emit nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide , and particulate matter. Exposure to these pollutants can cause heart disease , asthma , and other human health problems. In addition, emissions from fossil fuel combustion are responsible for acid rain , which has led to the acidification of many lakes and consequent damage to aquatic life, leaf damage in many forests, and the production of smog in or near many urban areas. Furthermore, the burning of fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), one of the main greenhouse gases that cause global warming .

In contrast, renewable energy sources accounted for nearly 20 percent of global energy consumption at the beginning of the 21st century, largely from traditional uses of biomass such as wood for heating and cooking . By 2015 about 16 percent of the world’s total electricity came from large hydroelectric power plants, whereas other types of renewable energy (such as solar, wind, and geothermal) accounted for 6 percent of total electricity generation. Some energy analysts consider nuclear power to be a form of renewable energy because of its low carbon emissions; nuclear power generated 10.6 percent of the world’s electricity in 2015.

Growth in wind power exceeded 20 percent and photovoltaics grew at 30 percent annually in the 1990s, and renewable energy technologies continued to expand throughout the early 21st century. Between 2001 and 2017 world total installed wind power capacity increased by a factor of 22, growing from 23,900 to 539,581 megawatts. Photovoltaic capacity also expanded, increasing by 50 percent in 2016 alone. The European Union (EU), which produced an estimated 6.38 percent of its energy from renewable sources in 2005, adopted a goal in 2007 to raise that figure to 20 percent by 2020. By 2016 some 17 percent of the EU’s energy came from renewable sources. The goal also included plans to cut emissions of carbon dioxide by 20 percent and to ensure that 10 percent of all fuel consumption comes from biofuels . The EU was well on its way to achieving those targets by 2017. Between 1990 and 2016 the countries of the EU reduced carbon emissions by 23 percent and increased biofuel production to 5.5 percent of all fuels consumed in the region. In the United States numerous states have responded to concerns over climate change and reliance on imported fossil fuels by setting goals to increase renewable energy over time. For example, California required its major utility companies to produce 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2010, and by the end of that year California utilities were within 1 percent of the goal. In 2008 California increased this requirement to 33 percent by 2020, and in 2017 the state further increased its renewable-use target to 50 percent by 2030.

Essay on Renewable Energy

Introduction to Renewable Energy

In the quest for a sustainable and environmentally conscious future, adopting renewable energy has emerged as a pivotal solution to mitigate the challenges posed by traditional fossil fuels. Take, for instance, the remarkable growth of solar power in countries like Germany, where the “Energiewende” policy has catapulted them to the forefront of green energy innovation. This transformative journey showcases the potential of harnessing solar energy as an alternative and a cornerstone for economic prosperity, reduced carbon emissions, and heightened energy security. As we delve into the world of renewable energy, it becomes evident that these innovations are key to shaping a cleaner, more resilient global energy landscape.

Importance of Transitioning to Renewable Sources

A sustainable future and resolving numerous global issues depend heavily on the switch to renewable energy sources. This shift is crucial for several reasons:

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• Environmental Preservation: Fossil fuel combustion contributes significantly to air and water pollution and climate change. Transitioning to renewables reduces greenhouse gas emissions, mitigates environmental degradation, and helps preserve ecosystems.
• Climate Change Mitigation: Renewable energy is a key player in mitigating climate change . Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide, is crucial to prevent catastrophic outcomes such as extreme weather events and rising sea levels.
• Energy Security: Wind and solar power, as renewable energy sources, provide a diverse and decentralized energy supply. This reduces dependence on finite and geopolitically sensitive fossil fuel reserves, enhancing energy security and resilience.
• Economic Opportunities: The renewable energy sector fosters job creation and economic growth. Investments in clean energy technologies stimulate innovation, create employment opportunities, and contribute to developing a robust and sustainable economy.
• Public Health Improvement: Transitioning away from fossil fuels decreases the release of harmful pollutants, leading to improved air and water quality. This, in turn, positively impacts public health by reducing respiratory illnesses and other pollution-related diseases.
• Resource Conservation: Unlike finite fossil fuel reserves, renewable sources are inherently sustainable and inexhaustible. By harnessing the power of sunlight, wind, water, and geothermal heat, societies can meet their energy needs without depleting limited natural resources.
• Technological Advancements: The transition to renewables drives innovation and technological advancements. Research and development in clean energy technologies contribute to a cleaner environment and the advancement of scientific knowledge and industrial capabilities.
• Global Cooperation: The shift to renewable energy encourages international collaboration to address shared challenges. Collaborative efforts in research, development, and the adoption of clean energy technologies can foster diplomatic ties and strengthen global cooperation.

Types of Renewable Energy

Sources naturally replenished on a human timescale, making them sustainable and environmentally friendly, derive renewable energy. Listed below are the main types of renewable energy:

• Solar Power: While solar thermal systems use sunshine to heat a fluid that produces steam to power turbines, photovoltaic cells use sunlight to convert light into energy.
• Wind Energy: Wind turbines are machines that use the wind’s kinetic energy to generate electricity through wind energy. When the wind rotates the turbine blades, a generator transforms that rotational energy into electrical energy. Onshore or offshore locations often host wind farms.
• Hydropower: Hydropower produces electricity by harnessing the energy of flowing water. Run-of-river systems divert a portion of a river’s flow, while dam-based hydropower involves the controlled release of stored water through turbines to generate power.
• Biomass Energy: Organic materials like wood, agricultural waste, and agricultural residues produce biomass energy. Biomass can produce heat, electricity, and biofuels through combustion or anaerobic digestion, offering a versatile energy source.
• Geothermal Energy: Geothermal energy taps into the Earth’s internal heat by harnessing steam or hot water beneath the Earth’s surface. Geothermal power plants convert this thermal energy into electricity, providing a consistent and reliable power source.
• Tidal Energy: Tidal energy harnesses the moon’s and sun’s gravitational pull to create electricity as the tides rise and fall. Utilizing underwater turbines allows tidal stream devices to capture the energy of the water’s flow.
• Wave Energy: Wave energy captures the motion of ocean waves to generate electricity. Wave energy converters, including point absorbers and oscillating water columns, convert waves’ up and down motion into usable power.
• Hydrogen Energy: Hydrogen, often considered a carrier of energy, can be produced through electrolysis using renewable electricity. It is a clean fuel for various applications, including transportation and industrial processes, emitting only water vapor when used.

Technological advancements

Technological breakthroughs have shaped the modern world, revolutionizing industries and elevating people’s standard of living. Several key areas highlight the profound impact of technology on society:

• Information Technology (IT): The evolution of IT has transformed communication, information access, and business operations. The development of the Internet, cloud computing , and mobile technologies has facilitated instantaneous global communication, d ata storage , and access to vast amounts of information.
• Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: AI and ML have ushered in a new era of automation and decision-making capabilities. From autonomous vehicles to predictive analytics in healthcare, these technologies continue to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and problem-solving across various industries.
• Biotechnology: Advances in biotechnology have revolutionized healthcare, agriculture, and environmental conservation. Gene editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9 offer unprecedented possibilities in treating genetic disorders, while biotech applications in agriculture improve crop yield and resilience.
• Renewable Energy Technologies: Clean energy generation is now more economical and efficient thanks to renewable energy technology, including energy storage systems, wind turbines, and solar panels. These innovations are pivotal in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices.
• Nanotechnology: Nanotechnology manipulates materials at the atomic or molecular level. Nanotechnology has transformed the fields of materials science, electronics, and medicine. As a result, scientists have created sophisticated materials with unique qualities, developed more compact and potent electrical devices, and improved medication delivery methods.
• 3D Printing: Layer-by-layer construction of three-dimensional items is possible with additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing. This technology utilizes diverse applications, from prototyping and manufacturing to healthcare, producing custom implants and prosthetics.
• Blockchain Technology: The decentralized and secure ledger technology known as blockchain powers cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin . Beyond finance, it finds applications in supply chain management , voting systems, and ensuring the integrity and transparency of various processes.
• Quantum Computing: Using the ideas of quantum mechanics, quantum computing can execute intricate calculations at a pace impossible for conventional computers. This can potentially revolutionize fields such as cryptography, optimization problems, and drug discovery.
• Internet of Things (IoT): The technology known as the Internet of Things (IoT) enables commonplace objects to be linked to the Internet and gather and share data. This interconnectedness enhances efficiency in smart homes, cities, and industries, optimizing resource utilization and overall productivity.
• Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR): AR and VR technologies immerse users in virtual or augmented environments, transforming experiences in fields like gaming, education, healthcare, and training simulations.

Challenges and Solutions

Addressing the challenges posed by technological advancements, societal changes, and global issues requires proactive strategies and innovative solutions. Here are some main challenges and possible solutions:

• Cybersecurity Threats:
• Challenge: Due to the growing interconnectivity of systems and the dependence on digital technology, individuals and organizations are more vulnerable to cyber threats such as ransomware attacks and data breaches.
• Solution: Implementing robust cybersecurity measures, regular updates, and user education can help mitigate cyber risks. Collaboration between governments, industries, and cybersecurity experts is crucial for developing effective strategies.
• Privacy Concerns:
• Challenge: The collection and utilization of personal data by companies and governments raise concerns about privacy infringement.
• Solution: Implemented to safeguard people’s privacy rights, GDPR (the General Data Protection Regulation) and other stricter laws and policies exist. Innovations like privacy-enhancing technologies and decentralized identity solutions offer alternative approaches.
• Job Displacement Due to Automation:
• Challenge: Automation and artificial intelligence technologies can lead to job displacement and economic inequality.
• Solution: Reskilling and upskilling programs and focusing on education in emerging fields can prepare the workforce for the changing job landscape. Social policies like universal basic income (UBI) may provide a safety net during transitions.
• Environmental Degradation:
• Challenge: Industrial activities and resource exploitation contribute to environmental degradation, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
• Solution: Sustainable practices, renewable energy adoption, and circular economy principles can mitigate environmental impact. International cooperation and stringent environmental regulations also play a crucial role.
• Ethical Concerns in AI:
• Challenge: Ethical issues surrounding artificial intelligence include biased algorithms, lack of transparency, and potential misuse.
• Solution: Implementing ethical guidelines and standards for AI development, promoting transparency in algorithms, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration on AI ethics can help address these concerns.
• Healthcare Access Disparities:
• Challenge: Access to quality healthcare is unique globally, with disparities exacerbated by factors such as geography and socioeconomic status.
• Solution: Telemedicine, mobile health applications, and innovative healthcare delivery models can improve access. International collaborations and investment in healthcare infrastructure can reduce disparities.
• Digital Inequality:
• Challenge: Not everyone has equal access to digital technologies, leading to disparities in education, economic opportunities, and social inclusion.
• Solution: Initiatives focusing on digital literacy, affordable internet access, and technology inclusion programs can bridge the digital divide. Governments and organizations can also invest in infrastructure to expand connectivity.
• Global Public Health Crises:
• Challenge: Events like pandemics can strain healthcare systems, disrupt economies, and create social upheaval.
• Solution: Preparedness plans, early warning systems, and international cooperation in research and resource allocation are crucial. Advances in biotechnology and data analytics can aid in swift responses.
• Ethical Use of Biotechnology:
• Challenge: Biotechnological advancements like gene editing raise ethical concerns about human enhancement and unintended consequences.
• Solution: Robust ethical frameworks, public engagement, and interdisciplinary dialogues involving ethicists, scientists, and policymakers can guide responsible biotechnological development.
• Energy Transition Challenges:
• Challenge: Shifting from traditional to renewable energy sources faces infrastructure, economic viability, and societal acceptance challenges.
• Solution: Government incentives, public awareness campaigns, and investment in research and development can accelerate the transition. Community involvement and stakeholder engagement are critical for successful adoption.

Global Initiatives and Policies

Global initiatives and policies play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of technological, economic, and environmental progress. These initiatives often reflect the collective effort of nations to address shared challenges and promote cooperation in various domains. Here are some notable global initiatives and policies:

• Paris Agreement: Global leaders reached a global agreement to keep the rise in temperature to less than 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Nations aim to enhance climate resilience while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The 17 goals address global issues, including poverty, inequality, and environmental sustainability. Goal 7 targets explicitly affordable and clean energy, promoting the transition to renewable sources.
• IRENA(International Renewable Energy Agency): An intergovernmental organization promoting the widespread use of renewable energy. IRENA facilitates cooperation among nations, provides policy advice, and supports capacity building for renewable energy projects.
• Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM): A forum bringing together energy ministers from various nations to promote clean energy policies, share best practices, and collaborate on initiatives to advance the global transition to low-carbon technologies.
• Mission Innovation: A global initiative involving 24 countries and the European Union, committed to doubling public investment in clean energy research and development over five years. It aims to accelerate innovation and make clean energy more affordable.
• European Green Deal: An ambitious EU policy framework aiming for climate neutrality by 2050. It describes plans to lower greenhouse gas emissions, support renewable energy, and completely revamp the European economy.
• Renewable Energy Policies at National Levels: Many countries have established specific policies and targets to promote renewable energy adoption. Examples include Germany’s Energiewende, India’s National Solar Mission, and China’s commitment to peak carbon emissions by 2030.
• Power Africa: An initiative by the U.S. government to increase access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa. Its main objectives are to encourage investment in the region’s power sector and to facilitate the development of renewable energy projects.
• Global Geothermal Alliance: Launched at COP21, the alliance promotes geothermal energy deployment worldwide. It encourages collaboration between governments, development partners, and the private sector to harness the potential of geothermal resources.
• ESMAP (World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program): ESMAP supports developing countries in building sustainable energy systems. It provides technical assistance, policy advice, and financial support for projects promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Case Studies

• Germany’s Energiewende: Germany’s ambitious energy transition, known as Energiewende, aims to shift from conventional energy sources to renewable energy. The country has made significant investments in wind and solar energy, enacted energy-saving measures, and plans to phase out nuclear power. The Energiewende case study exemplifies the integration of renewables into the energy mix and the challenges of maintaining grid balance during this transition.
• China’s Renewable Energy Expansion: China has become a global leader in renewable energy deployment. The country has significantly invested in wind and solar energy projects, increasing capacity. The case study explores China’s policy incentives, market dynamics, and technological advancements that have facilitated its rapid expansion in the renewable energy sector.
• Denmark’s Wind Power Success: Denmark has been a pioneer in wind energy, with wind power contributing significantly to its electricity generation. The case study delves into Denmark’s wind energy policies, including favorable regulatory frameworks, community engagement, and advancements in wind turbine technology. It highlights the economic and environmental benefits of widespread wind power adoption.
• California’s Renewable Energy Leadership: In the US, California has used renewable energy. The state’s case study examines its aggressive renewable portfolio standards, innovative policies promoting solar power, and the role of technology companies in driving clean energy initiatives. California’s experience demonstrates the potential for subnational entities to lead in renewable energy transitions.
• Rural Electrification in India through Solar Power: India’s case study focuses on rural electrification efforts using solar power. Initiatives like the National Solar Mission and off-grid solar projects have brought electricity to remote areas, transforming lives and fostering economic development. The study explores the challenges faced and lessons learned in scaling up solar energy access in a diverse and populous country.
• Costa Rica’s Renewable Energy Achievement: Costa Rica stands out for achieving high levels of renewable energy generation, primarily from hydropower, wind, and geothermal sources. The case study examines the country’s commitment to environmental sustainability, policies promoting clean energy, and the role of hydropower in maintaining a reliable and renewable energy supply.
• South Australia’s Grid Transformation: South Australia’s case study illustrates its transition to a renewable energy-dominant grid. The state has faced challenges related to grid stability and intermittency but has also demonstrated successful integration of wind and solar power. The study delves into the policy measures, technological solutions, and lessons learned in South Australia’s journey toward a low-carbon energy system.
• Morocco’s Concentrated Solar Power Project: Morocco’s case study focuses on the Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex, one of the world’s most significant concentrated solar power projects. The initiative aims to harness solar energy for electricity generation, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and contribute to national energy security. The study explores the project’s technological innovations, financing models, and the impact on Morocco’s energy landscape.

Future Prospects

The future of energy holds exciting possibilities as technological advancements and evolving societal priorities shape the landscape. Several key prospects are likely to influence the trajectory of the global energy sector:

• Emerging Technologies: Ongoing research and development in renewable energy technologies will likely yield breakthroughs in efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and energy storage. Innovations such as advanced solar cells, next-generation wind turbines, and novel energy storage solutions will be crucial in shaping the future energy landscape.
• Tidal and Wave Energy: Tidal and wave energy, largely untapped at present, hold significant potential for sustainable power generation. As technologies mature, harnessing the kinetic energy of ocean tides and waves could contribute to a more diverse and reliable renewable energy mix.
• Advanced Solar Technologies: Continued advancements in solar technologies, including thin-film solar cells, tandem solar cells, and solar paint, are anticipated. These innovations aim to enhance the efficiency of solar energy capture and broaden its applications across various industries.
• Integration into Various Sectors: One of the most important aspects of the energy landscape of the future is integrating renewable energy into various sectors, including industrial processes and transportation. Electric vehicles, green hydrogen production, and sustainable manufacturing will likely gain prominence.
• Energy Transition in Developing Countries: A significant role in the global energy transition is expected to be played by developing countries. International collaborations, financial support, and technology transfer will empower these nations to leapfrog traditional fossil fuel-dependent phases of development and embrace cleaner energy solutions.
• Smart Grids and Energy Storage: Deploying smart power grids, in conjunction with advanced energy storage solutions, will simplify the integration of renewable energy resources in existing power systems. Battery technologies, grid-scale storage, and demand-response mechanisms will enhance grid reliability and flexibility.
• Decentralized Energy Systems: Decentralized energy systems, such as community microgrids and distributed energy resources, will likely become more prevalent. These systems empower communities to generate, store, and manage their energy locally, promoting resilience and energy independence.
• Circular Economy in Energy: The adoption of circular economy principles in the energy sector will gain traction, emphasizing resource efficiency, recycling, and waste reduction. This strategy seeks to mitigate the harmful consequences of energy production and consumption on nature.
• Policy and Regulatory Shifts: Governments worldwide are expected to implement more ambitious policies and regulations to accelerate the transition to renewable energy. Carbon pricing, renewable energy mandates, and incentives for sustainable practices will shape the regulatory environment.
• Global Collaboration: International cooperation and collaboration will be crucial for addressing global energy challenges. Shared research initiatives, technology transfer, and joint efforts to combat climate change will foster a collective approach to building a sustainable energy future.

The global shift towards renewable energy is pivotal in fostering a sustainable future. The imperative to mitigate climate change, ensure energy security, and promote economic prosperity underscores the significance of embracing clean technologies. The trajectory towards a low-carbon energy landscape becomes increasingly tangible as nations unite in initiatives like the Paris Agreement and implement robust policies. The successes of case studies from Germany to China demonstrate the feasibility and benefits of renewable energy adoption. By continuing to innovate, invest, and collaborate, humanity can unlock the full potential of renewable sources, ensuring a resilient and environmentally responsible energy paradigm for generations to come.

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• ENVIRONMENT

Renewable energy, explained

Solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass, and geothermal power can provide energy without the planet-warming effects of fossil fuels.

In any discussion about climate change , renewable energy usually tops the list of changes the world can implement to stave off the worst effects of rising temperatures. That's because renewable energy sources such as solar and wind don't emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming .

Clean energy has far more to recommend it than just being "green." The growing sector creates jobs , makes electric grids more resilient, expands energy access in developing countries, and helps lower energy bills. All of those factors have contributed to a renewable energy renaissance in recent years, with wind and solar setting new records for electricity generation .

For the past 150 years or so, humans have relied heavily on coal, oil, and other fossil fuels to power everything from light bulbs to cars to factories. Fossil fuels are embedded in nearly everything we do, and as a result, the greenhouse gases released from the burning of those fuels have reached historically high levels .

As greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere that would otherwise escape into space, average temperatures on the surface are rising . Global warming is one symptom of climate change, the term scientists now prefer to describe the complex shifts affecting our planet’s weather and climate systems. Climate change encompasses not only rising average temperatures but also extreme weather events, shifting wildlife populations and habitats, rising seas , and a range of other impacts .

Of course, renewables—like any source of energy—have their own trade-offs and associated debates. One of them centers on the definition of renewable energy. Strictly speaking, renewable energy is just what you might think: perpetually available, or as the U.S. Energy Information Administration puts it, " virtually inexhaustible ." But "renewable" doesn't necessarily mean sustainable, as opponents of corn-based ethanol or large hydropower dams often argue. It also doesn't encompass other low- or zero-emissions resources that have their own advocates, including energy efficiency and nuclear power.

Types of renewable energy sources

Hydropower: For centuries, people have harnessed the energy of river currents, using dams to control water flow. Hydropower is the world's biggest source of renewable energy by far, with China, Brazil, Canada, the U.S., and Russia the leading hydropower producers . While hydropower is theoretically a clean energy source replenished by rain and snow, it also has several drawbacks.

Large dams can disrupt river ecosystems and surrounding communities , harming wildlife and displacing residents. Hydropower generation is vulnerable to silt buildup, which can compromise capacity and harm equipment. Drought can also cause problems. In the western U.S., carbon dioxide emissions over a 15-year period were 100 megatons higher than they normally would have been, according to a 2018 study , as utilities turned to coal and gas to replace hydropower lost to drought. Even hydropower at full capacity bears its own emissions problems, as decaying organic material in reservoirs releases methane.

Dams aren't the only way to use water for power: Tidal and wave energy projects around the world aim to capture the ocean's natural rhythms. Marine energy projects currently generate an estimated 500 megawatts of power —less than one percent of all renewables—but the potential is far greater. Programs like Scotland’s Saltire Prize have encouraged innovation in this area.

Wind: Harnessing the wind as a source of energy started more than 7,000 years ago . Now, electricity-generating wind turbines are proliferating around the globe, and China, the U.S., and Germany are the leading wind energy producers. From 2001 to 2017 , cumulative wind capacity around the world increased to more than 539,000 megawatts from 23,900 mw—more than 22 fold.

Some people may object to how wind turbines look on the horizon and to how they sound, but wind energy, whose prices are declining , is proving too valuable a resource to deny. While most wind power comes from onshore turbines, offshore projects are appearing too, with the most in the U.K. and Germany. The first U.S. offshore wind farm opened in 2016 in Rhode Island, and other offshore projects are gaining momentum . Another problem with wind turbines is that they’re a danger for birds and bats, killing hundreds of thousands annually , not as many as from glass collisions and other threats like habitat loss and invasive species, but enough that engineers are working on solutions to make them safer for flying wildlife.

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Solar: From home rooftops to utility-scale farms, solar power is reshaping energy markets around the world. In the decade from 2007 and 2017 the world's total installed energy capacity from photovoltaic panels increased a whopping 4,300 percent .

In addition to solar panels, which convert the sun's light to electricity, concentrating solar power (CSP) plants use mirrors to concentrate the sun's heat, deriving thermal energy instead. China, Japan, and the U.S. are leading the solar transformation, but solar still has a long way to go, accounting for around two percent of the total electricity generated in the U.S. in 2017. Solar thermal energy is also being used worldwide for hot water, heating, and cooling.

Biomass: Biomass energy includes biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel , wood and wood waste, biogas from landfills, and municipal solid waste. Like solar power, biomass is a flexible energy source, able to fuel vehicles, heat buildings, and produce electricity. But biomass can raise thorny issues.

Critics of corn-based ethanol , for example, say it competes with the food market for corn and supports the same harmful agricultural practices that have led to toxic algae blooms and other environmental hazards. Similarly, debates have erupted over whether it's a good idea to ship wood pellets from U.S. forests over to Europe so that it can be burned for electricity. Meanwhile, scientists and companies are working on ways to more efficiently convert corn stover , wastewater sludge , and other biomass sources into energy, aiming to extract value from material that would otherwise go to waste.

Geothermal: Used for thousands of years in some countries for cooking and heating, geothermal energy is derived from the Earth’s internal heat . On a large scale, underground reservoirs of steam and hot water can be tapped through wells that can go a mile deep or more to generate electricity. On a smaller scale, some buildings have geothermal heat pumps that use temperature differences several feet below ground for heating and cooling. Unlike solar and wind energy, geothermal energy is always available, but it has side effects that need to be managed, such as the rotten egg smell that can accompany released hydrogen sulfide.

Ways to boost renewable energy

Cities, states, and federal governments around the world are instituting policies aimed at increasing renewable energy. At least 29 U.S. states have set renewable portfolio standards —policies that mandate a certain percentage of energy from renewable sources, More than 100 cities worldwide now boast at least 70 percent renewable energy, and still others are making commitments to reach 100 percent . Other policies that could encourage renewable energy growth include carbon pricing, fuel economy standards, and building efficiency standards. Corporations are making a difference too, purchasing record amounts of renewable power in 2018.

Wonder whether your state could ever be powered by 100 percent renewables? No matter where you live, scientist Mark Jacobson believes it's possible. That vision is laid out here , and while his analysis is not without critics , it punctuates a reality with which the world must now reckon. Even without climate change, fossil fuels are a finite resource, and if we want our lease on the planet to be renewed, our energy will have to be renewable.

Related Topics

• SUSTAINABILITY
• RENEWABLE ENERGY
• GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
• SOLAR POWER
• HYDROELECTRIC POWER
• CLIMATE CHANGE

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The Future of Sustainable Energy

26 June, 2021

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Building a sustainable energy future calls for leaps forward in both technology and policy leadership. State governments, major corporations and nations around the world have pledged to address the worsening climate crisis by transitioning to 100% renewable energy over the next few decades. Turning those statements of intention into a reality means undertaking unprecedented efforts and collaboration between disciplines ranging from environmental science to economics.

There are highly promising opportunities for green initiatives that could deliver a better future. However, making a lasting difference will require both new technology and experts who can help governments and organizations transition to more sustainable practices. These leaders will be needed to source renewables efficiently and create environmentally friendly policies, as well as educate consumers and policymakers. To maximize their impact, they must make decisions informed by the most advanced research in clean energy technology, economics, and finance.

Current Trends in Sustainability

The imperative to adopt renewable power solutions on a worldwide scale continues to grow even more urgent as the global average surface temperature hits historic highs and amplifies the danger from extreme weather events . In many regions, the average temperature has already increased by 1.5 degrees , and experts predict that additional warming could drive further heatwaves, droughts, severe hurricanes, wildfires, sea level rises, and even mass extinctions.

In addition, physicians warn that failure to respond to this dire situation could unleash novel diseases : Dr. Rexford Ahima and Dr. Arturo Casadevall of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine contributed to an article in the Journal of Clinical Investigation that explained how climate change could affect the human body’s ability to regulate its own temperature while bringing about infectious microbes that adapt to the warmer conditions.

World leaders have accepted that greenhouse gas emissions are a serious problem that must be addressed. Since the Paris Agreement was first adopted in December 2015, 197 nations have signed on to its framework for combating climate change and preventing the global temperature increase from reaching 2 degrees Celsius over preindustrial levels.

Corporate giants made their own commitments to become carbon neutral by funding offsets to reduce greenhouse gases and gradually transitioning into using 100% renewable energy. Google declared its operations carbon neutral in 2017 and has promised that all data centers and campuses will be carbon-free by 2030. Facebook stated that it would eliminate its carbon footprint in 2020 and expand that commitment to all the organization’s suppliers within 10 years. Amazon ordered 100,000 electric delivery vehicles and has promised that its sprawling logistics operations will arrive at net-zero emissions by 2040.

Despite these promising developments, many experts say that nations and businesses are still not changing fast enough. While carbon neutrality pledges are a step in the right direction, they don’t mean that organizations have actually stopped using fossil fuels . And despite the intentions expressed by Paris Agreement signatories, total annual carbon dioxide emissions reached a record high of 33.5 gigatons in 2018, led by China, the U.S., and India.

“The problem is that what we need to achieve is so daunting and taxes our resources so much that we end up with a situation that’s much, much worse than if we had focused our efforts,” Ferraro said.

Recent Breakthroughs in Renewable Power

An environmentally sustainable infrastructure requires innovations in transportation, industry, and utilities. Fortunately, researchers in the private and public sectors are laying the groundwork for an energy transformation that could make the renewable energy of the future more widely accessible and efficient.

Some of the most promising areas that have seen major developments in recent years include:

Driving Electric Vehicles Forward

The technical capabilities of electric cars are taking great strides, and the popularity of these vehicles is also growing among consumers. At Tesla’s September 22, 2020 Battery Day event, Elon Musk announced the company’s plans for new batteries that can be manufactured at a lower cost while offering greater range and increased power output .

The electric car market has seen continuing expansion in Europe even during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks in large part to generous government subsidies. Market experts once predicted that it would take until 2025 for electric car prices to reach parity with gasoline-powered vehicles. However, growing sales and new battery technology could greatly speed up that timetable .

Cost-Effective Storage For Renewable Power

One of the biggest hurdles in the way of embracing 100% renewable energy has been the need to adjust supply based on demand. Utilities providers need efficient, cost-effective ways of storing solar and wind power so that electricity is available regardless of weather conditions. Most electricity storage currently takes place in pumped-storage hydropower plants, but these facilities require multiple reservoirs at different elevations.

Pumped thermal electricity storage is an inexpensive solution to get around both the geographic limitations of hydropower and high costs of batteries. This approach, which is currently being tested , uses a pump to convert electricity into heat so it can be stored in a material like gravel, water, or molten salts and kept in an insulated tank. A heat engine converts the heat back into electricity as necessary to meet demand.

Unlocking the Potential of Microgrids

Microgrids are another area of research that could prove invaluable to the future of power. These systems can operate autonomously from a traditional electrical grid, delivering electricity to homes and business even when there’s an outage. By using this approach with power sources like solar, wind, or biomass, microgrids can make renewable energy transmission more efficient.

Researchers in public policy and engineering are exploring how microgrids could serve to bring clean electricity to remote, rural areas . One early effort in the Netherlands found that communities could become 90% energy self-sufficient , and solar-powered microgrids have now also been employed in Indian villages. This technology has enormous potential to change the way we access electricity, but lowering costs is an essential step to bring about wider adoption and encourage residents to use the power for purposes beyond basic lighting and cooling.

Advancing the Future of Sustainable Energy

There’s still monumental work to be done in developing the next generation of renewable energy solutions as well as the policy framework to eliminate greenhouse gases from our atmosphere. An analysis from the International Energy Agency found that the technologies currently on the market can only get the world halfway to the reductions needed for net-zero emissions by 2050.

To make it the rest of the way, researchers and policymakers must still explore possibilities such as:

• Devise and implement large-scale carbon capture systems that store and use carbon dioxide without polluting the atmosphere
• Establish low-carbon electricity as the primary power source for everyday applications like powering vehicles and heat in buildings
• Grow the use of bioenergy harnessed from plants and algae for electricity, heat, transportation, and manufacturing
• Implement zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells as a way to power transportation and utilities

However, even revolutionary technology will not do the job alone. Ambitious goals for renewable energy solutions and long-term cuts in emissions also demand enhanced international cooperation, especially among the biggest polluters. That’s why Jonas Nahm of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies has focused much of his research on China’s sustainable energy efforts. He has also argued that the international community should recognize China’s pivotal role in any long-term plans for fighting climate change.

As both the leading emitter of carbon dioxide and the No. 1 producer of wind and solar energy, China is uniquely positioned to determine the future of sustainability initiatives. According to Nahm, the key to making collaboration with China work is understanding the complexities of the Chinese political and economic dynamics. Because of conflicting interests on the national and local levels, the world’s most populous nation continues to power its industries with coal even while President Xi Jinping advocates for fully embracing green alternatives.

China’s fraught position demonstrates that economics and diplomacy could prove to be just as important as technical ingenuity in creating a better future. International cooperation must guide a wide-ranging economic transformation that involves countries and organizations increasing their capacity for producing and storing renewable energy.

It will take strategic thinking and massive investment to realize a vision of a world where utilities produce 100% renewable power while rows of fully electric cars travel on smart highways. To meet the challenge of our generation, it’s more crucial than ever to develop leaders who understand how to apply the latest research to inform policy and who can take charge of globe-spanning sustainable energy initiatives .

About the MA in Sustainable Energy (online) Program at Johns Hopkins SAIS

Created by Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies faculty with input from industry experts and employers, the Master of Arts in Sustainable Energy (online) program is tailored for the demands of a rapidly evolving sector. As a top-11 global university, Johns Hopkins is uniquely positioned to equip graduates with the skills they need to confront global challenges in the transition to renewable energy.

The MA in Sustainable Energy curriculum is designed to build expertise in finance, economics, and policy. Courses from our faculty of highly experienced researchers and practitioners prepare graduates to excel in professional environments including government agencies, utility companies, energy trade organizations, global energy governance organizations, and more. Students in the Johns Hopkins SAIS benefit from industry connections, an engaged network of more than 230,000 alumni, and high-touch career services.

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Energy Resources

Coal, one of humankind’s earliest fuel sources, is still used today to generate electricity. However, over time, there has been a shift in demand for cheaper and cleaner fuel options, such as the nonrenewable energy source of natural gas, and renewable options like solar power and wind energy. Each energy resource has its advantages and disadvantages.

Earth Science, Geology, Geography, Physical Geography

Sources of Energy

Coal gas, coke, water gas, and producer gas can be made by using coal as the principal ingredient. These such artificial gases can be used for fuel, illuminant, and a source material for the manufacturing of synthetic ammonia. Gasoline, kerosene, and fuel oil are made from petroleum. They are mainly used for transportation if the fuel is used in a liquid form. Natural gas is a natural mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons found from the ground or obtained from specially driven wells. The composition of natural gas varies in different localities. It is used extensively as an illuminant and a fuel.

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Energy: short essay on energy.

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Here is your short essay on Energy!

Energy is a primary input for almost all activities and is, therefore, vital for improvement in quality of life. Its use in sector such as industry, com­merce, transport, telecommunications, wide range of agriculture and house­hold services has compelled us to focus our attention to ensure its continuous supply to meet our ever increasing demands.

Energy related problems are not new. The energy related problems are as old as 2500 years ago. The early Romans and Greeks faced fuel shortage as wood was their primary source of energy. They had to import wood from very faraway places. Fossil fuel is still the main source of energy. Today we are facing the peak of oil and gas utilization. Fossil fuel resources took millions of years to form and are infinite.

These resources may be exhausted in a few hundred years. Historical evidence shows that world energy demand has increased at almost the same rate as gross world product (GWP). People living in industrialized or developed countries are a relatively small percentage of the world’s total popu­lation, but they consume a huge share of the total energy produced in the world.

The main issues regarding the energy problem in urban areas are:

(a) How to utilize the energy from non-renewable sources at their maximum efficiency.

(b) How to make use of renewable sources of energy or the alternative energy sources?

Energy policy today has two choices (paths). One path leads to the fossil fuels (hard path), which means continuing as we have been for a number of years i.e., emphasising energy quantity by finding more amount of fossil fuels and build­ing much larger power plants.

The second path is the soft path which leads to the energy alternatives that emphasize energy quality and are also renewable, flexible and more environmental friendly. The soft path relies mainly on renew­able energy i.e. sunlight, wind biomass, tidal energy etc.

There is a need to resort to energy management. This concept recognizes that no single energy source can possibly provide all the energy required by the source nation. Thus, the basic objective of the integrated energy management is to obtain sustainable energy and which should be realized at the local level. In addition, measures to conserve energy need to be followed.

Energy conservation is considered as a quick and economical way to solve the problem of power shortage as also a means of conserving the country’s finite sources of energy. Energy conservation measures are cost effective, require rela­tively small investments and have short gestation as well as pay back periods. The studies conducted by Energy Management Centre, New Delhi have indi­cated that there is about 25% potential of energy conservation in the industrial sector.

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Clean energy’s next trillion-dollar business

Grid-scale batteries are taking off at last.

D ecarbonising the world’s electricity supply will take more than solar panels and wind turbines, which rely on sunshine and a steady breeze to generate power. Grid-scale storage offers a solution to this intermittency problem, but there is too little of it about. The International Energy Agency ( IEA ), an official forecaster, reckons that the global installed capacity of battery storage will need to rise from less than 200 gigawatts ( GW ) last year to more than a terawatt ( TW ) by the end of the decade, and nearly 5 TW by 2050, if the world is to stay on course for net-zero emissions (see chart 1). Fortunately, though, the business of storing energy on the grid is at last being turbocharged.

Grid-scale storage traditionally relied on hydroelectric systems that moved water between reservoirs at the top and bottom of a slope. These days giant batteries stacked in rows of sheds are increasingly the method of choice. According to the IEA , 90 GW of battery storage was installed globally last year, double the amount in 2022, of which roughly two-thirds was for the grid and the remainder for other applications such as residential solar. Prices are falling and new chemistries are being developed. Bain, a consultancy, estimates that the market for grid-scale storage could expand from around $15bn in 2023 to between $200bn and $700bn by 2030, and $1trn-3trn by 2040.

A plunge in the price of lithium batteries is fuelling their adoption on the grid. According to Bloomberg NEF , a research group, the average price of stationary lithium batteries per kilowatt-hour of storage fell by around 40% between 2019 and 2023. A global deceleration in the adoption of electric vehicles ( EV s), which run on similar technology, has led battery manufacturers to take a keener interest in grid storage. In 2019 stationary lithium batteries were almost 50% more expensive than those used in EV s; that difference has fallen to less than 20% as producers have piled in (see chart 2). The IEA reckons that solar power combined with batteries is now competitive with coal-fired power in India, and is on track to be cheaper than gas-fired power in America in a few years.

The centre of global battery production is China. It is home to six of the world’s ten biggest manufacturers, including CATL and BYD (see chart 3). The share of China’s battery production destined for power grids has risen from almost nothing in 2020 to around a fifth last year, overtaking the share used in consumer electronics. Growth has been helped by policies at home mandating that big solar and wind projects also install storage.

China’s battery firms are intensely innovative. CATL has increased its spending on research and development eight-fold since 2018, to $2.5bn last year. BYD , which has invested heavily in robotics and artificial intelligence, has built a battery plant in the city of Hefei that is almost entirely automated. But the industry is also swimming in overcapacity. According to Bloomberg NEF , China alone already produces enough lithium batteries to satisfy global demand of all types. Its industry has announced plans for a further 5.8 terawatt-hours ( TW h) of capacity by 2025, more than double the current global capacity of 2.6 TW h.

That will be catastrophic for many firms in the battery industry, including those producing for the grid. According to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, another research outfit, construction was cancelled or postponed on 19 battery gigafactories in China in the first seven months of 2024. The collapse in prices has also pummelled many Western battery startups. One example is Sweden’s Northvolt, seen by some as Europe’s answer to China’s champions. Last year it reported a loss of $1.2bn, up from $285m in 2022. The consequence is likely to be a wave of consolidation, as Robin Zeng, the boss of CATL , predicted earlier this year.

Even so, a bloodbath among battery-makers could help, rather than hurt, the adoption of battery storage. Prices could fall further as the most productive companies take a greater share of the market. Fierce competition is already spurring innovation, as companies seek out new technologies to help them compete. Sodium-ion batteries are one promising alternative. They do not require pricey lithium, and although they offer lower energy density, that is less of a problem for stationary batteries than for those powering EV s.

Incumbents are rushing to develop the technology for the grid, and several startups are betting big on it, too. Natron, an American firm backed by Chevron, an oil giant, is investing $1.4bn to build a sodium-ion battery factory in North Carolina, which is scheduled to open in 2027. Landon Mossburg, the chief executive of Peak Energy, another sodium-ion startup, says he wants his firm to be “the CATL of America”.

Tom Jensen, the boss of Freyr Battery, another startup, thinks the only way that Western battery companies will be able to compete is with new technologies. The list of innovative approaches is growing. EnerVenue, one more startup, is commercialising a nickel-hydrogen battery. The firm has raised over $400m and will build a plant in Kentucky that it hopes will crank out cheap batteries that can store power for long durations.

It helps that these new technologies are well-suited to meeting the growing demand for energy from data centres, which tech giants are eager to run on renewable power. The fact that sodium-ion batteries are less prone to catching fire than lithium-based ones makes them particularly attractive for tech companies, not least because it lowers the cost of insurance, notes Jeff Chamberlain, the boss of Volta Energy Technologies, an investment firm focused on energy storage. Colin Wessels, the co-chief of Natron, notes that his startup plans to supply batteries largely to data centres.

The rapid rollout of data centres is also leading to gaps in the infrastructure used to generate and transmit power, which could be plugged by longer-duration batteries of the type EnerVenue hopes to produce. Aaron Zubaty, the chief executive of Eolian, a renewable-energy developer, predicts a boom in storage solutions of four to eight hours to cope with the growing demand on power grids over the coming decade.

Grid-scale storage, then, is advancing quickly. “Batteries have done in five years what took solar 15 years,” notes a veteran analyst of the solar boom, who now covers the industry. As Fatih Birol, the head of the IEA , sums up, “Batteries are changing the game before our eyes.” ■

To stay on top of the biggest stories in business and technology, sign up to the Bottom Line , our weekly subscriber-only newsletter.

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Electricity prices are on the rise. Is it inflation or an underlying issue?

By Li Cohen , Tracy J. Wholf , Marina Jurica

September 2, 2024 / 8:51 AM EDT / CBS News

The sun is burning a hole in Americans' wallets. Back-to-back months of heat records and sweltering days have contributed to rising electricity costs, and experts say that without action, it's a problem that will likely only get worse. 

According to CBS News' price tracker, the cost of electricity has increased from $0.14 per kilowatt hour in 2019 to $0.18 per kilowatt hour in 2024 — a change of more than 28.5%. The average American is now paying nearly $300 a month just in utilities . 

For many people, it just isn't affordable. 

"Sometimes I have to choose whether I'm going to pay the light bill or do I pay all the rent or buy food or not let my son do a sport?" Stacey Freeman, a 44-year-old North Carolina mom told KFF Health News.

Her energy bills have cost her hundreds a month, even as she relied on window units and space heaters in the summer and winter. 

Freeman's situation is known as "energy poverty," or the inability to afford utilities to properly heat or cool their home. 

A 2022 study published in  Nature Communications found that 16% of U.S. households experience energy poverty, which researchers defined as spending more than 6% of household income on energy expenditures. It's not a problem solely for those who are considered low-income. The study found that 5.2 million households that live above the poverty line face this issue, with Black, Hispanic and Native American communities feeling a disproportionate impact. 

"Energy inequity is an issue of increasing urgency," the study says. "...creating a federal energy poverty line would be a critical step in identifying families that face large disparities in access to affordable electricity and energy in the U.S. and improve programs' abilities to address energy burdens."

The cost of electricity is based on a multitude of factors, including the volatile prices for natural gas, wildfire risk, electricity transmission and distribution, regulations and, the one factor Americans know all too well, inflation. But experts say there's an underlying problem that, unlike inflation, isn't going away anytime soon — the heat. 

An unreliable national grid 

Recent years have seen back-to-back heat records across the world, including in the U.S. Rising temperatures fuel extreme weather events, such as heat waves in the summer and snow storms in the winter, which then increases energy consumption as people try to keep their homes warm or cool . It also increases the costs for the utility companies themselves to make sure that the electric infrastructure can handle it. 

Currently, it can't.

Power outages remain a major problem across the U.S. When Tropical Storm Ernesto passed by the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico earlier this month, it  knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of residents . At one point, nearly half of Puerto Rico and almost all of USVI were without electricity.

But it's not just the islands — it's the mainland too. Of all the major power outages in the U.S. from 2000 to 2023, scientists at the nonprofit Climate Central found that 80% were because of weather . 

Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers issues a "report card" on how U.S. infrastructure fares in a variety of categories. In the latest report, the energy sector received a C- . 

Engineering experts acknowledged that spending on transmission lines had grown and that utilities were being proactive about strengthening the national grid, but said that "weather remains an increasing threat" that is continuously causing power outages. Transmission and distribution systems are a major concern, they said, and "is likely to accelerate as the impacts of climate change persist and the public's expectation of more reliable, 'always-on' electricity increases."

"While the weather has always been the number one threat to the energy sector's reliability, climate change has only exacerbated the frequency and intensity of these events and associated costs," the report states. "The Department of Energy (DOE) found that power outages are costing the U.S. economy $28 billion to $169 billion annually." 

Multiple polls and studies show how pervasive energy poverty and the heat can be. An early August poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 39% of Americans say that heat has had a "major impact" on their electricity bills , with another 30% identifying a "minor impact." About 40% of poll takers say they also had unexpected utility expenses because of extreme weather events, including storms, flooding, heat and wildfires. 

The heat isn't just costly, it's also dangerous. Extreme heat is the No. 1 weather-related killer in the U.S. and is known for exacerbating cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. The cold is also a concern, with the EPA reporting that more than 19,000 Americans have died from cold-related causes since 1979.

"Not only are households living in more poverty and closer proximity to highly polluted areas at greater risk of adverse health impacts," the 2022 Nature study says. "They must also consume more energy to overcome the particulate emissions, which, themselves, reduce the efficiency of clean sources such as solar panels."

A solution for cheaper energy 

Experts say there is a long-term solution that can drastically help — clean energy. 

In 2023, about 60% of U.S. electricity generation came from the burning of fossil fuels, one of the primary drivers of rising global temperatures, according to the Energy Information Administration. Renewable energy has hit record highs, but last year, it was only used for 21% of electricity generation. 

A March 2020 study found that the continued warming of the planet could take a significant toll on U.S. energy infrastructure as-is. Specifically, the study found that the most costly aspects will be the reduced lifespan of substation transformers and the increased need for vegetation management expenditures.

"Total infrastructure costs were found to rise considerably, with annual climate change expenditures increasing by as much as 25%," the study says. "The results demonstrate that climate impacts will likely be substantial, though this analysis only captures a portion of the total potential impacts." 

They found that if the U.S. were to more aggressively tackle climate change, it could reduce the expected costs by as much as 50% by 2090 . 

Expanding clean energy has already proven to help communities. 

In July, the think tank Energy Innovation found that "states with high levels of wind and solar generation like New Mexico, Iowa, and Oklahoma have experienced the lowest rate increases" in energy bills. When Hurricane Ian hit Florida in 2022, a community that runs completely on solar power managed to escape relatively unscathed while the areas around it faced rampant destruction. In 2021, The Center for American Progress found that investments in clean energy infrastructure could save U.S. households $500 every year just on energy costs. 

And this is why it's critical for better policy and funding, experts say. 

"Clean energy technologies are expected to continue to decline in costs, enable substantial emissions reductions in the electricity sector without increasing costs," Energy Innovation found in its report this year, noting, however, that it is up to regulators and policymakers to ensure that consumers are not hit with "unnecessary costs and risks" associated with the transition to clean energy.

Better planning, competitive resource procurement, grid-enhancing technologies, cooperation enhancement, and other strategies could help alleviate that issue, the group said, adding, "Regulators and policymakers have a range of tools they can deploy to mitigate pressure on rising rates, ensuring an affordable and accessible transition to clean electricity."

• Electricity
• Utility bills
• Climate Change
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• 2024 Elections
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• Clean Energy

Li Cohen is a senior social media producer at CBS News. She previously wrote for amNewYork and The Seminole Tribune. She mainly covers climate, environmental and weather news.

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Houston's plastic waste piles up, waiting on "advanced recycling"

Essay on Energy

Students are often asked to write an essay on Energy in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Energy

What is energy.

Energy is a fundamental concept in science. It’s what allows us to do work, move objects, and even think. There are many forms of energy, like kinetic, potential, thermal, and more.

Types of Energy

Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, while potential energy is stored energy. Thermal energy is related to heat, and chemical energy comes from chemical reactions.

Energy Conservation

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed. This principle is known as the law of conservation of energy. It’s why we must use energy wisely.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy comes from sources that can be replenished. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric power are examples of renewable energy. These sources are important for a sustainable future.

250 Words Essay on Energy

Introduction.

Energy, in its many forms, is the driving force behind all processes in the universe. It is a fundamental concept in physics, and its study has led to numerous technological advancements and a deeper understanding of natural phenomena.

Energy can be classified into two main categories: potential and kinetic. Potential energy is stored energy, like that held by a rock perched at the top of a hill. Kinetic energy, on the other hand, is energy in motion, like a rolling stone. These two forms can convert into each other, demonstrating the principle of energy conservation.

Energy Conversion and Conservation

The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. This principle governs everything from the smallest atomic particles to the largest galaxies. It also underpins the operation of all our machines and devices, which convert energy from one form to another.

Energy and Society

Energy is crucial to human society. We harness energy in various forms to power our homes, industries, and transport systems. The challenge of our time is to transition from fossil fuels, which are finite and damaging to the environment, to renewable sources like solar and wind energy.

In conclusion, energy is an essential concept that permeates every aspect of our lives. Understanding its nature, forms, and conservation principles can help us make informed decisions about its use and manage our resources sustainably for future generations.

500 Words Essay on Energy

Energy, in its myriad forms, is the cornerstone of our existence, powering everything from the smallest cellular processes to the most massive celestial phenomena. It is a fundamental concept in physics, representing the capacity to do work or cause change. Whether we look at the kinetic energy of a moving object, the potential energy stored by an object’s position in a force field, or the thermal energy due to an object’s temperature, we find that energy is the key driver of the universe.

Thermal energy, a form of kinetic energy at the microscopic level, is responsible for the temperature and phase changes of matter. Chemical energy, stored in the bonds of atoms and molecules, powers life on Earth and many of our technologies. Nuclear energy, harnessed from the nucleus of an atom, fuels our sun and provides a potent source of power for humanity.

The Law of Conservation of Energy

One of the fundamental principles governing energy is the Law of Conservation of Energy. This law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another. This principle is a cornerstone of physics and has profound implications for our understanding of the universe. It underpins the concept of energy efficiency, the idea that we can optimize the use of energy by minimizing waste and maximizing output.

Energy and Sustainability

In conclusion, energy is a fundamental and ubiquitous concept, driving the processes of the universe and our daily lives. Understanding its various forms, the laws governing its behavior, and its role in sustainability is crucial. As we move forward, the challenge lies not only in harnessing energy more efficiently but also in doing so sustainably, ensuring the longevity of our planet and species.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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Clean energy is booming, according to a new report on the energy workforce released by the U.S. Department of Energy. 

The 2024 U.S. Energy & Employment Report (USEER) found that the clean energy sector added 142,000 jobs last year and accounted for nearly 6% of all new jobs created in the U.S. economy. 

Nuclear energy was part of that trend.  

The nuclear industry saw steady growth in 2023, along with changing demographics and a strong union presence that is projected to grow as the nation works to triple its nuclear capacity by 2050. 

Read on to dive into five key takeaways from the report.

1. Nuclear energy industry employment is growing.

The nuclear sector employed 68,008 workers in 2023 across fuels and electric power generation, an increase of more than 1,800 jobs from the previous year. Eighty-six percent of those jobs were in electric power generation.

Jobs increased across five industries. Professional and business services accounted for two-thirds of all workers who entered the nuclear field last year. Utilities remained the largest employer in nuclear energy with 41,000 workers.  

The USEER reported that the nuclear utilities workforce actually grew 1.6% in 2023 despite the industry predicting declines. Wholesale trade saw a slight drop in employment that underperformed industry expectations.

2. Nuclear energy is diverse.

The nuclear sector is highly diverse. 

 Women and non-white workers made up a significant portion of the workforce. Roughly 34% of workers in the field identified as female, compared to 26% of the overall energy workforce.  

That’s higher than any other clean energy source. 

One in three workers were non-white, which is significantly above the national average. The nuclear industry had relatively high representation of Asian, American Indian or other Alaska Native, and Black or African American workers.  

However, Hispanic or Latino workers (15%) were less represented in the nuclear workforce than in the overall energy and national workforce.

3. The nuclear energy workforce is aging.

Nuclear energy’s workforce is trending older than other energy sources. 

The report found that 60% of the workers were ages 30 to 54 — higher than both the wider energy workforce and national average. 

Nuclear energy also had 23% fewer workers under the age of 30 than the overall energy workforce. That’s a shift from last year’s report, when the proportion of younger employees in nuclear was on par with other sectors. 

The gap between early-career and late-career employment stats means that a significant chunk of the nuclear workforce is likely to retire over the next decade, creating plentiful job opportunities for younger workers who possess the necessary skills and training.

4. Nuclear energy employers need more qualified workers.

Employers also reported difficulty hiring workers across every industry in the nuclear energy sector — a trend that mirrored the larger energy workforce.  

Roughly 90% of professional and business services employers said they experienced at least some challenges finding qualified workers, despite leading the nuclear field in new hires. Even utilities, which employed 3 in 5 nuclear energy workers in 2023, reported hiring challenges.  

A pipeline of young talent will be essential as the U.S. nuclear industry seeks to commercialize and deploy next-generation advanced reactors in the coming decades. 

Many of these jobs will not require a 4-year advanced STEM degree.  

The FY24 spending bill directed $100 million to help identify, develop, and implement new safety training programs at universities, trade schools, and 2- year colleges to address the growing need for a diverse workforce.

5. Nuclear is more unionized than any other energy source.

The numbers don’t lie — nuclear energy jobs are good jobs. According to the USEER, 19% of nuclear energy workers were represented by a union or covered under a project labor or collective bargaining agreement in 2023.  

That’s higher than any other single energy source, and more than double the national private sector average.  

So nuclear energy workers are more likely to be well-paid — 50% higher on average than those of other electricity generation sources — treated fairly in the workplace, safe on the job site, and secure in their careers. 

Read the full report for more insights into the U.S. energy workforce.

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Edwidge Danticat's new collection of essays says 'We're Alone'

Ari Shapiro

Tinbete Ermyas

Jordan-Marie Smith

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with author Edwidge Dandicat about her new essay collection, We're Alone .

Solar Energy and Its Impact on Society Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
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Technological Determinism

Social constructivism.

Bibliography

The utility of solar energy is perhaps one of the most important technological advances in recent history. Solar energy represents a form of renewable energy that will prove to be most beneficial especially in light of the energy crisis faced by many nations.

Over time the consumption of non-renewable energy has been problematic and is one that has had devastating economic effects on numerous countries throughout the world. In examining the impact of solar energy on the world, it is prudent that we create a theoretical framework for such an examination. This paper will examine solar energy utilizing the theoretical constructs of technological determinism and social constructivism. It will also view technology as a neutral entity. I will begin by first introducing the theoretical constructs and then establishing a relationship between the constructs and solar energy.

Technology continues to improve all aspects of the human experience. Developments in medical, communicative, media, and research technologies have improved people’s quality of life. While for most Americans this is true, some people are being left behind and the digital divide continues to separate the informed from the uniformed. There are several reasons why this problem exists and this research will try to explain why it occurs.

The father of technological determinism is Marshall McLuhan, a scientist from Canada who studied media and its different forms and uses. He studied the way individuals receive messages and the medium that delivered the message. From this, he developed several theories about different mediums and their effectiveness. He viewed technology as an extension of man. He believed that the wheel was the extension of our feet, the hammer was an extension of our hands, and technology is the extension of our mind and mentality.

McLuhan said, “The medium is the message.” 1 He thought that the medium in which an individual received the information was more important than the information itself. The medium communicates the message in a way that will affect the listener. In some instances, the medium increases the chance of connection and just the opposite in others. Radio, television, and the Internet all have changed how we receive information and process it.

McLuhan believed this was the most important factor for a receiver to remember a message and pass it along to other individuals to become opinion leaders in society. McLuhan also felt a new medium would come along and would not only affect the conscious level but it would change patterns of perceptions. This holds on technologies such as the Internet. Using a computer to seek and find information has revolutionized how we live in society. It is important to note whether or not that this effect is positive or negative.

Other researchers such as Hank Bromley thought that technology moves and that people cannot change a direction of technology. The only option available to individuals is to adapt to the changing technology. He said, “…new technologies arise as natural consequences of existing ones, with little social control of the course of development, and that the impact of new technologies is again a consequence of the features of the technology itself, with the outcomes largely insusceptible to human control.” 2 He felt that technology in many ways controls itself and that society has little to do with the development of new technologies. He felt that we adapt to the changing technology and use it to fit our needs and the needs of society. He felt that technology evolves throughout our existence from one medium to the next and that humans have very little control over this process. He thought that technology continues to grow and build upon itself rather than being a new type of media. 3

Social Constructivists, on the other hand, view all of our knowledge and reality as “constructed” since these are actively created by social relationships and interactions. Thus, Social constructivism argues that technology is meaningful in human development only when it has a significant relationship with human beings.

Feenberg (1982) is often regarded as a strict social constructivist. His main commentary on the use of technology was that technology is nothing but a means of achieving the goals human beings set. Thus, human beings’ desires are ahead of emerging technology, not vise versa. It is a human ideology that drives technological progress. Thus, social constructivists argue that technology is completely controlled by human action and is given its meaning through selecting how, when, and why it will be used. Feenberg discusses the notion of the use of the Internet as a political tool 4 but this same concept can be extended to include the use of solar energy.

When extended, Feenberg’s notion can be extended to mean no matter how good the concept of utilizing solar energy may be, it is of no use unless individuals use it in their daily lives. Thus, unlike Technological Determinism, the presence of solar energy as an alternative energy source does not necessitate its use.

After having reviewed the use of solar energy under the basic tenets of both technological determinism and social constructivism one can see that solar energy represents a renewable source of energy that is meant to augment the present sources of energy. It is not a source of energy that is meant to replace the existing sources. It proves to be valuable in that it utilizes technology in a manner that proves to be both beneficial to humans and one that holds the potential to solve the current energy crisis. The technological determinists view solar energy as a mere extension of the capabilities of man while the social constructionists view it as only being meaningful when it can be utilized by man.

The technological deterministic view of solar energy is most practical and offers potential for the use which unsurpassed that of any other form of renewable energy. In this vein, solar energy can be used as a source of energy for some of the fundamental needs and can be used to provide energy for residential & holiday homes, commercial properties, Central Power Stations, industrial applications, water pumping, lighting, and heating in the developing nations. In proving energy for residential and holiday homes, solar energy can be utilized to provide energy during the day to power small appliances such as televisions, microwaves, fluorescent lamps, etc.

The use of solar energy in commercial properties requires special solar panels to facilitate the use of solar energy. In terms of central power stations, solar energy can be utilized in the same manner as conventional energy sources. Currently, there are logistic problems with its utility in that it can only span a relatively small distance and can only be distributed in small aggregate amounts. Its use in central power stations is limited to pilot studies in the United States, Italy, and Spain. 5 In examining the utility of solar energy we can see that it represents an extension of the capabilities of man but with more advanced studies it can be made practical for the use by the majority of individuals on earth.

Bromley, Hank. “The Social Chicken and the Technological Egg: Educational Computing and the Technological/Society Divide.” Educational Theory 47.1 (1997): 51-65.

Rogers, Everett M. “The Extensions of Men: The correspondence of Marshall McLuhan and Edward T. Hall,” Mass Communication and Society 3.1 (2000): 119-135.

Feenberg, Andrew. “The Idea of Progress and the Politics of Technology.” Philosophy and Technology 5 (1982): 15-21.

Solar Buzz. “The Uses of Solar Energy”. Web.

• Everett M. Rogers, “The Extensions of Men: The correspondence of Marshall McLuhan and Edward T. Hall,” Mass Communication and Society, Vol. 3, Issue 1, (2000): 119.
• Hank Bromley, “The Social Chicken and the Technological Egg: Educational Computing and the Technological/Society Divide,” Educational Theory, 47, Issue 1 (1997): 59.
• Ibid, Rogers, 119.
• See Feenberg, Andrew. 1982. “The Idea of Progress and the Politics of Technology.” Philosophy and Technology 5:15-21.
• See Solar Buzz, “Uses of solar energy”. Web.
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IvyPanda. (2021, August 25). Solar Energy and Its Impact on Society. https://ivypanda.com/essays/solar-energy-and-its-impact-on-society/

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Climate Change Can Cause Bridges to ‘Fall Apart Like Tinkertoys,’ Experts Say

Extreme heat and flooding are accelerating the deterioration of bridges, engineers say, posting a quiet but growing threat.

By Coral Davenport

Coral Davenport has reported on climate change policy and the impacts of climate change on the economy for 18 years.

On a 95-degree day this summer, New York City’s Third Avenue Bridge, connecting the Bronx and Manhattan, got stuck in the open position for hours. As heat and flooding scorched and scoured the Midwest, a steel railroad bridge connecting Iowa with South Dakota collapsed under surging waters. In Lewiston, Maine, a bridge closed after the pavement buckled from fluctuating temperatures.

America’s bridges, a quarter of which were built before 1960, were already in need of repair. But now, extreme heat and increased flooding linked to climate change are accelerating the disintegration of the nation’s bridges, engineers say, essentially causing them to age prematurely.

The result is a quiet but growing threat to the safe movement of people and goods around the country, and another example of how climate change is reshaping daily life in ways Americans may not realize .

“We have a bridge crisis that is specifically tied to extreme weather events,” said Paul Chinowsky, a professor of civil engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder who researches the effects of climate change on infrastructure. “These are not things that would happen under normal climate circumstances. These are not things that we’ve ever seen at this rate.”

Bridges designed and built decades ago with materials not intended to withstand sharp temperature swings are now rapidly swelling and contracting, leaving them weakened.

“It’s getting so hot that the pieces that hold the concrete and steel, those bridges can literally fall apart like Tinkertoys,” Dr. Chinowsky said.

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