This year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that solar power will make up almost half of our new electric generation capacity.
However, solar power isn’t the only renewable energy source available. What is the energy of the future?
Discover more about the future of energy use, the latest on renewable energy sources, and much more.
The Problem With Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels, such as coal, natural gas, and oil currently account for 80% of the world’s power. We’ve been relying on fossil fuels for generations, but rising concerns about climate change have resulted in a push toward renewable energy sources.
Burning fossil fuels is certainly not the only way to generate electricity. One of the biggest downsides to relying on this form of energy is that it creates greenhouse gasses.
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear power has to be addressed as a contender for the future of energy use. It produces carbon-free power, and it isn’t impacted by the volatile price swings of fossil fuels.
The downside of nuclear energy is that there are certain safety concerns that need addressing, and there must be a method to safely and effectively remove radioactive waste.
Clean Energy: The Energy of the Future
Clean energy is the desired goal and a very definite possibility for our future.
Many scientists and experts predict that alternative energy sources of the future will include renewables such as solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal energy.
Solar Power
The sun is an abundant and free resource for us to use. You see solar power everywhere these days, from PV panels on rooftops to solar-powered cars.
Solar panels used to be prohibitively expensive, putting them out of reach of many homeowners. However, they are now more affordable and efficient than ever before. Homeowners can also take advantage of tax credits and rebates. Additionally, by hiring contractors to install, repair, and maintain solar panel systems, you may contribute to the growth of the local economy. For example, if you’re looking for Utah solar companies, you can go with SunPower by Custom Energy.
To learn more about installing solar panels at home, contact Blue Raven Solar.
Wind Power
Wind power is yet another contender for the most popular clean energy source, and it’s definitely shaping the future of energy.
Currently, wind turbines don’t meet much of the world’s power demand, but that could change in the coming years. Wind farms are becoming more common, especially in the Great Plains and Texas.
Hydropower
As you might expect, hydropower utilizes the power of rivers and water currents to produce energy.
Power from the waves and tides can be utilized to create electricity, and temperature differences can drive heat engines. Most hydropower now is generated by dams, and it uses rivers to power turbines.
Geothermal
The heat from the earth can be harnessed to create electricity. Using geothermal energy doesn’t require any fuel, and it also requires minimal land use.
Geothermal is definitely a sustainable choice, as the heat from the earth can create far more power than we require.
What Does the Future Hold?
It’s likely that the energy of the future will be a combination of different sustainable methods. Green energy of the future includes solar power, wind power, hydropower, and geothermal energy. It’s also likely we’ll continue to see some reliance on nuclear power.
Are you interested in learning more about what the future holds? Check out our technology section to discover more.
