BLAIR SERGEANT
AN INTRODUCTION TO
RENEWABLE ENERGY BLAIR SERGEANT.NET
THE TERM "RENEWABLE ENERGY" gets tossed around frequently in today’s conversations, especially as more people are growing more environmentally conscious. So what is it, exactly? Renewable energy is natural, can’t run out, and serves as an alternative to fossil fuels. That’s also why the terms “alternative energy” and “renewable energy” are used interchangeably: because they serve as an alternative to energy from fossil fuels. Overall, renewable energies are much better for the environment, given the smaller footprint and less pollution. They’ve become so popular in recent years, too, that renewable energy can no longer be considered “alternative.”
WITH BIG COMPANIES
such as Shell and BP supporting this shift and investing in renewable energy, countries are following their lead. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) elaborates:
Offshore wind investment increased 4x since 2013 @ USD 25 billion 25% share of total wind investment in 2016 and is poised for further growth China commands more renewable energy investment than any other country Renewables investment in India has more than doubled between 20132016. Western Europe saw investment peak in 2015 @ USD 73 billion before falling to USD 53 billion in 2016.
SOLAR ENERGY
Most people have seen solar panels on a roof somewhere
Contractors are working to include more eco-friendly building materials Solar energy captures the sun’s energy, uses it to convert energy/light through photovoltaic systems Energy can then be used in many different ways: creating solar hot water systems, electricity, cooling/heating systems, light
WIND ENERGY The uneven heating and cooling of the atmosphere cause winds captured by wind turbines, converted into electricity wind is free, technology has recently advanced so less expensive now Exists on two scales: single and utility
HYDROELECTRICITY Concept been around for a long time. Now harnessed in one of two ways: “Pumped-storage hydropower” - water is stored in a reservoir by dams, which flows through turbines to produce electricity “Run of River hydropower” - doesn’t require a dam, instead funnels portion of a river through a channel. This method dependent on geographic location.
BLAIR SERGEANT
READ THE ARTICLE AT
 BLAIRSERGEANT.NET