Sven Van Zanten - The Benefits of Renewable Energy Solutions

1. Sven Van Zanten - The Benefits of Renewable Energy Solutions Some people may not want to admit it, but the world is slowly moving towards an energy crisis. Non- renewable resources such as fossil fuels are much closer than people think to becoming extinct. We have always known that the everyday energy we use is not unlimited, yet it is constantly taken for granted. Oil, gas, power, even water has limited availability. Yet, we have not taken nearly enough precautions to deal with a very real threat of an energy crisis. When I say 'we', I am not referring to the governments of the world, but to all of us, the common people. We are the ones who can make a difference. To neutralize this crisis, it is important that we learn to reduce our dependency on energy sources that are non-renewable and start focusing on energy solutions that can provide us with a continuous source of energy that will not exhaust any resources. There are 3 main sources of energy which fall into this category: hydro energy, wind energy, and solar energy. First, let's look at hydro energy. Hydroelectricity is the most widely used form of renewable energy in the world. It is typically generated on a large scale by way of hydroelectric dams. Although it is indeed a renewable source of energy, hydro

2. energy comes with some drawbacks. Hydroelectric projects have been known to have negative effects on surrounding aquatic ecosystems. One example, is there are studies that have shown that dams along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America have reduced salmon populations due to their preventing access to spawning grounds upstream. A major disadvantage to hydroelectricity although rare, is the risk of dam failure. In Southern China, the Banquio Dam failure resulted in the deaths 171,000 people and left millions homeless. Although it is an effective source of renewable energy, it is not as environmentally friendly as the other 2 main sources of renewable energy, wind and solar power. Let's look at wind energy. Windmills have been around for thousands of years. They are older than electricity itself. In pre- industrialization times, they were used to propel sailboats and ships, they were used to pump water, and they were used as a means of natural ventilation in buildings. Wind power has many advantages: It causes absolutely no pollution whatsoever. It consumes no fuel and has practically no effects on the environment at all. Wind energy can help generate tonnes of megawatts of electricity. When employed at home, it can help do away with conventional power sources which will reduce your electricity bill and can even eliminate it altogether. Wind power is an excellent source of continuous, renewable energy. Finally, let's look at solar energy. Solar power is by far the most available source of continuous, renewable energy on the planet. It is easily capable of providing the world's total current energy demand many times over. Solar power solutions at home are another way of dramatically cutting down power bills or even completely eliminating them altogether. Also, solar power has no effect on the environment whatsoever. It is the most environmentally friendly source of energy in the world. Setting up your own wind and solar system not only benefits you by cutting down your power bill, it benefits everyone by helping to stop the dependency on non-renewable resources. Wind and solar power solutions at home are not as costly as one might think either. Even if you are on a budget, you can easily set up a wind and solar system at home.