What is the next big energy source?
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There are, as you're probably aware, a host of enormous problems with the conventional fossil fuels -- coal, oil, and natural gas -- that we've relied upon to power our societies since the Industrial Revolution.
For one, they're running out: Some analysts believe we've already hit peak oil, and that global production will more or less decline from here on out. And while there's considerably more coal and natural gas, they're still extremely finite resources, and experts can already foresee 'peak' coal and gas, too. Secondly, burning fossil fuels emits both particulate air pollution and greenhouse gases. The former is strangling cities around the world with smog, and the later contributes to the climate crisis: these heat-trapping fossil fuel byproducts are the single largest contributor to global warming.
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So, the race is on to replace them with an energy source of the future. Clearly, it ain't fossil fuels. But unfortunately, there's unlikely to be any single source of power that will emerge to definitively take the place of hydrocarbons. There's no 'free energy', no magic bullet.
Instead, the energy of the future will need to be generated by a patchwork of renewable sources: wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, and yes, nuclear power, will probably all play a role in generating the electricity of tomorrow. (And yes, I say electricity, because the internal combustion engine and other gas-powered motors will be phased out along with fossil fuels)
So let's take a look at what the energy mix of the future might look like.
First up is solar. Solar is by far the most promising; it's the sector that everyone is desperately hoping, crossing their fingers, praying that technology continues to improve the most dramatically. Why? Because sunlight is by a long shot the most abundant power source on the planet. Enough energy falls on the earth's surface in the form of sunlight in a single hour to power all of modern civilization for a year.
Because of this, researchers are working overtime to improve the efficiency of solar panels, to improve their energy returned on investment (EROI), and to make producing them cheaper. The technology is indeed improving fast–Moore's law, which states that, in computing, "the number of transistors that can be placed inexpensively on an integrated circuit doubles approximately every two years," has been shown to more or less apply to the trajectory of improvement of solar power.
As such, solar is springing up around the world, both in large, centralized arrays, and in smaller, distributed projects like rooftop panels and solar water heaters. Countries that recognize the importance of solar are promoting it domestically; Germany, for example, has used a feed-in tariff program that rewards solar owners for plugging their individual panels into the grid. By the end of 2011, it is expected to install 5,000 MW of new projects. Elsewhere, a massive solar array planned for the Sahara desert is on its way to construction now -- by 2050, it alone could meet 15% of Europe's total power demand.
Wind power will be nearly as important in coming years. It's perhaps the most established renewable energy source (besides hydro), and is just as cheap as fossil fuels in many markets around the world. Yet as of now, it only meets an estimated 2.5% of the world's power demand. But that's changing. Wind farms are being deployed around the globe -- famously, in Texas and the Great Plains, right here in the U.S. Iowa now gets 20% of its power from wind turbines. And right now, almost all wind projects are onshore. But the true energy bounty lies offshore, where winds are stronger and there are fewer restrictions on development. For instance, analysts have calculated that there's enough offshore wind potential to power Europe seven times over.
Hydro power, usually generated by dams, where rivers turn mighty turbines within, has been around for ages. It currently supplies around 8.25% of the world's power, and will likely continue to do so moving forward. And, of course, there are other emerging renewable technologies that can play a significant role. Chief among them, geothermal power, which harnesses the vast heat rising out of the earth's crust. The potential for this technology is vast: Google-funded research reveals that geothermal could generate 10 times the amount of power than that of all of our currently operating coal plants combined. Some predict that geothermal projects will one day produce as much as a sixth of the world's energy. There are others, too: wave power, which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like, is a nascent technology, but a promising one.
Finally, any discussion of the world's energy future must hit on nuclear power. It meets 13-14% of the planet's power needs, and will likely remain in the picture despite tragedies like the Fukushima meltdown. Since it's also a politically popular energy source (if not a publicly popular one) it is positioned to play a significant role in producing carbon-free power as the world moves to address the climate crisis. Expect more nuclear power plants going forward, but not many -- they are likely to be eclipsed by safer, truly renewable sources as wind, solar, and geothermal become more and more viable.
So. This is what the energy source of the future will be: Not any single fuel, not some mythical Energon cube, but a mishmash of competing clean technologies that currently don't even constitute half of the world's current power mix. In other words, we have plenty of good options. And none of them are fossil fuels.
Now, the bigger question is how soon these future energy sources will reach dominance. If we hope to avoid dangerous levels of global warming, it had better be soon. In this sense, the future of energy is utterly dependent on the collective will of us humanfolk. Will we decide to turn away from the polluting fuels of the past and to embrace low-carbon technologies? Or will we continue to behave as though the energy source of the future is the mighty hydrocarbon, as we have done for our entire industrial history? Only time will tell: the future, of course, is something of a tricky thing to predict.
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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
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.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
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].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
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].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
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].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
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.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