Renewable energy
You may have heard that fossil fuels are changing rapidly as fossil fuels follow the path of the dinosaurs. But you may still be wondering: what does all this talk mean? Fear not, we’ve outlined five things you need to know about renewables Flagship Power Plans and fossil fuels to help you understand the current renewable energy boom.
- The difference between renewable energy and fossil fuels
The difference between the two is not as complicated as one might think. Renewable energy comes from natural resources that can be replenished within a human lifetime and include the following types of energy:
- The sun
- The wind
- Hydroelectricity
- Geothermal
- Biomass
On the other hand, fossil fuels can take thousands or even millions of years to fully replenish:
- Wind power
- Col
- Oil
The differences may be sharp, but there are gray areas. Natural gas is often referred to as “clean energy” because it burns more efficiently than coal. People may even believe that natural gas is a permanent asset. Don’t be fooled. Natural gas is a fuel that emits CO2 when burned. In the case of biomass, things are even more complicated. Burning wood, a process commonly used to generate energy from biomass, sometimes emits more CO2 than burning fossil fuels. That said, many scientists classify wood as a renewable resource because wood can be recycled.
- Fossil fuels dominate energy production in the United States
It’s no surprise that fossil fuels dominate these days for US energy production. But it might surprise you that in the United States, natural gas now produces more energy than coal. Although natural gas is leading the pack now due to increased hydraulic fracturing, it still faces good competition from other resources. Here’s a breakdown of power by resource type:
Energy production in the United States
- 34% gas
- 30% dirt
- 20% nuclear
- 15% refresh rate
- 1% oil
- Renewable energy is growing faster than fossil fuels
While natural gas has grown its market share significantly over the past decade, renewables have grown faster than any other fuel. In 2016, renewable energy generation in the United States reached a record capacity of 22 gigawatts, burying fossil fuel growth.
- Renewables can cost less than fossil fuels
The old excuse that convertibles are expensive is nothing more than an excuse. Today, renewable energy is just as expensive as fossil fuel energy and even cheaper in some cases. Some solar panel projects can generate electricity at about half the cost of fossil fuels like coal. That’s a lot of money to save. And, what’s more, renewal should be cheaper over time.
- Renewables are cleaner than fossil fuels
Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, global temperatures have risen at an alarming rate, causing sea levels to rise. Not only are they warming the earth, but they are also creating negative things like air pollution, which is harmful to your lung health. Even if you are skeptical about climate change, you can see the effects of burning fossil fuels around you in the form of smog, especially in big cities like Houston. On the other hand, renewable energy emits less CO2 than fossil fuels. Renewable energy such as solar and wind power, apart from construction and maintenance, emits zero CO2. Thanks to renewable energy, you can breathe easy, stay calm and create a more comfortable world for generations to come.