Which energy source is the best?

While electricity did not exist in ancient times, all people groups still had ways to create energy that would make heat, form light, and move large items. Fires warmed homes and shed light while water-powered mills made grain, and steam powered locomotives.

Today, the world continues to rely on some of these same ancient energy sources, but researchers have also discovered a variety of new and exciting renewable and non-renewable energy sources.

The questions now are: What is the most efficient energy source? Which is the easiest to harvest? And, more crucially, which will provide adequate power without harming the environment?

Read on to find out.

FOSSIL FUELS

Fossil fuels comprise several energy sources, including gas, coal, and oil. These are all examples of non-renewable energy sources because they come from compacted materials beneath the surface of the earth. While there are still sufficient supplies of fossil fuels remaining to last for many years, if used wisely, they will not last forever. Therefore, researchers are continually looking for new forms of efficient, renewable energy that could be widely available.

One problem with fossil fuels is that they release carbon monoxide when burned for energy. This is a significant source of pollution, and one of the world’s greatest threats. If used at the current rate of consumption, fossil fuel supplies could run out in less than 100 years.

The good news about fossil fuels is that they are easy to use, and much of the world currently runs on them, making them the simple choice for the average home or business.

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Geothermal energy is a much more hidden energy source about which many people have not heard. This energy source comes from the bubbling heat deep within the surface of the earth. In fact, the earth’s core is approximately as hot as the surface of the sun. Geothermal energy is sourced by drilling deep into the surface of the earth to access highly heated underground water.

Today, geothermal energy accounts for only 0.2 percent of the energy used throughout the world, and it is mainly used for heating buildings and for creating electricity. While it is a very clean fuel that creates almost no greenhouse gases, it is not available throughout the world because geothermal plants can only be built in highly specific areas.

HYDROELECTRIC ENERGY

Surprisingly, hydroelectric energy is one of the primary energy sources throughout the United States today. All but two states use this as their primary source of electricity. The term hydroelectricity is the practice of using water to produce energy. This is achieved by moving powerful water from a high point to a low point and harnessing the power it makes along the way. Usually, dams are used to back up the water in a major river.

Hydroelectric operations exist in many municipalities across the country.

There are a few major problems with hydroelectricity, however. First, many of the major dams in the world are swiftly aging and require vast amounts of money for repairs. The Hoover Dam immediately comes to mind. Second, the water used for hydroelectric energy is also needed for human consumption as well, particularly in times of drought. Finally, while hydroelectricity is comparatively cheap to produce, coming in at only $86 per megawatt-hour, its production is not very efficient.

WIND ENERGY

Often ranked as one of the most efficient energy sources, wind energy is harnessed all over the world. Of course, some spots are known as being windier than others, and companies typically make use of these spots by building wind farms filled with turbines there. Wind energy has also been used for hundreds of years. The windmills found extensively in the Netherlands are a great example of this. Today, the simple windmill shape has been improved upon and made into wind turbines, which can be widely found in the Great Plains where the flat terrain doesn’t interfere with high-wind speeds.

The United States gets approximately 6 percent of its energy from wind, but the U.S. Department of Energy hopes to increase this number to20 percent by 2030 and 35 percent by 2050. This should help offset the country’s need for dirty fuel types, such as fossil fuels. Wind energy costs only $97 to create 1 megawatt-hour, and it is among the most highly efficient energy sources available today.

SOLAR ENERGY

Solar energy currently makes up approximately 1 percent of the energy consumption in the United States and can be used to create heat, electricity, and light. This is a readily available source of energy around the world. In fact, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, enough energy from the sun touches the earth in a single hour to power for the entire world for a year. The most common way to trap this energy is through photovoltaic cells, more commonly known as solar panels. These are often placed on rooftops, or on floating barges in wastewater facility plants.

Solar power is quickly growing throughout the United States. Although it is not responsible for much of the energy produced here yet, it is the fastest-growing energy source. Because it does not create any air pollutants, it is an ecologically responsible form of power with a very low carbon footprint. Also, it is a highly efficient energy source with the cost of solar energy having dropped every year since 2009. Over 200 percent of its energy input is retained when solar power is converted into electricity.

Because solar energy is widely available to any home or business owner with a roof, it is undoubtedly one of the most efficient energy options available today. It is a particularly smart choice for those wanting to offset their usage of non-renewable energy sources. Plus, this is an environmentally friendly and efficient source that produces little waste.

San Diego typically sees 266 sunny days every year on average, making this an excellent location for installing solar panels.

THE MOST EFFICIENT SOURCES OF ENERGY

While there are many different types of energy to choose from, it’s clear that renewable energy sources are the most efficient and sustainable for homes and businesses alike. Solar energy is the preferred energy source of choice in Southern California, and there’s no better time to start thinking about adding panels to your property. At HES Solar, we help area businesses and homeowners capitalize on this wealth of sunshine with smart solar panels that can offset electrical costs. These panels are completely self-sufficient once installed and can help individuals save plenty of money every year while saving the planet’s valuable natural resources as well.

What is the Best Renewable Energy Source?

The move from fossil fuels to sustainable future energy sources has been a topic of contention for years. Environmental impact has been the driving force of this conversation in our attempt to rise to the challenge of finding the best sources of energy. The simple truth is that there is no superior sustainable option that is the most efficient energy source that rises above all others. Over the years we have developed many new technologies that allow us to generate power from a range of renewable energy sources, but each option comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, everything we do has an impact on the environment, and perhaps the future of energy lies in a combination of energy sources?

Let’s take a look at the 7 best energy sources that will be the most promising over the next 50 years:

7. Wave Energy

Advantages

• Wave energy is a renewable energy source
• While generating electricity, wave energy does not produce any harmful emissions

Disadvantages

• Wave energy structures are expensive to install in the ocean
• The technology cannot be used anywhere - it must be installed in regions beside an ocean with waves that would produce sufficient electricity

Wave energy is a type of energy that uses the movement of the ocean’s waves to generate electricity. Electricity is produced as the waves move through the ocean; it will cause the turbines placed in the water to spin, creating electricity. There are a few different technologies that can be used to make turbines in the ocean spin such as oscillating water columns and overtopping devices. There are other devices that use the up/down movement of waves to generate electricity such as point absorbers.

6. Solar Energy

Advantages

• A renewable, clean and quiet energy source
• Solar panels can be installed onto homes or offices, providing owners with decreased electric bills and a energy source that requires little maintenance

Disadvantages

• The time, season, geographical region and weather all affect how much electricity solar panels generate [3]
• In the manufacturing process of PV cells, toxic materials are used

Solar energy is a type of energy that uses the sun’s rays to create electricity. The sunlight is captured by solar photovoltaic (PV) cells also known as solar panels to generate usable electricity [3].

5. Geothermal Energy

Advantages

• Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source
• Geothermal energy isn’t dependent on weather or season, meaning the energy source can generate a relatively consistent and reliable amount of power

Disadvantages

• The geothermal power plants can only be constructed in areas where the energy source is easily accessible
• Building a geothermal plant has an expensive upfront cost

Geothermal energy is captured heat from below the earth’s crust. Geothermal power is generated from the radioactive decay in the earth’s crust. It can be utilized to heat or cool homes, as well as produce electricity [4].

4. Biomass Energy

Advantages

• Biomass energy is a renewable energy source, as the resources that are burned grow back in a short amount of time
• Bioenergy decreases the amount of plant and animal waste that ends up in landfills

Disadvantages

• Burning biomass creates emissions such as methane
• Growing biomass can require significant space and water

Biomass energy also known as bioenergy is created from waste (biomass) of plants or animals. The waste from plants and animals can include vegetable oil, crops, manure or wood products [5]. A common method for creating electricity with biomass is through direct combustion. Direct combustion creates steam to cause turbines to spin, which simulates a generator to create electricity [6].

3. Wind Energy

Advantages

• Wind energy is a renewable and clean energy source
• Wind turbines can bring extra revenue for farmers, as they can lease out their farmland to wind energy companies [8]

Disadvantages

• Wind turbines are expensive to build and noisy
• The variability in wind strength means the turbines could be producing different amounts of electricity at different times

Wind energy also known as wind power uses wind turbines to generate electricity. The sun is responsible for creating wind power, as the disparities in temperature produce wind. Often multiple wind turbines are built together, known as a wind farm [7]. There can be onshore or offshore wind farms.

2. Hydroelectric Energy

Advantages

• Hydroelectric power is a renewable energy source
• Hydroelectric energy is a very efficient energy source compared to others

Disadvantages

• Hydroelectric dams are costly to built
• The construction of dams can harm aquatic wildlife

1. Nuclear Energy

Advantages

• Nuclear power produces consistent and larger amounts of electricity compared to other energy sources
• After the construction, the energy source has relatively cheap operating costs

Disadvantages

• Nuclear energy is hazardous as there is a risk of accidents - exposure to radiation from plants is dangerous to people and the environment
• Nuclear energy isn’t renewable as there is only a certain amount of uranium on the earth