Renewable energy, alongside the green power and conventional power are the three main sources of energy powering the world. The push for sustainable energy in recent years has increased focus on renewable energy technologies. EPA defines renewable energy as a resource that depends on restorable fuels. Conventional power mostly constitutes fossil fuels, i.e. oil, natural gas, coal and uranium fission fuel. Green power is a subdivision of renewable energy and includes renewable energy technologies like wind, hydro, solar and Bioenergy, among others.

According to the National Geographic, solar energy can be harvested from rooftops and huge utility scale farms. Solar panels work by converting light from the sun to electricity. Besides electricity, solar thermal energy is utilized all around the world to power hot water cooling and heating systems. The US, alongside China and Japan are the leading producers of solar energy. The use of wind as a source of energy dates back thousands of years. Wind has become a popular source of energy because it is abundant, inexhaustible and much cheaper to produce.

The worldwide output of wind energy increased from 24,000 MW in 2001 to 539,000 MW in 2017. Geothermal is derived from the Earth’s internal heat. The reservoirs of steam and hot water that constitute geothermal are often harnessed to produce electricity through deeply entrenched wells. Biomass energy can be sourced from wood, biogas and biofuels. Besides generating electricity, biomass can be used to heat buildings and fuel vehicles. Renewable energy have their highs and lows. According to Energy Sage, the disadvantages of using renewable energy technologies are:

• Intermittency – the availability of renewable energy does not mean it can be harnessed 24/7. For instance, it may be difficult to obtain solar power at night. The unpredictability of renewable energy may disrupt the energy flow. This is unlike fossil fuel that can be tapped at any time.
• Higher upfront cost – besides the numerous benefits, the initial cost of setting up renewable energy technologies are prohibitive compared to the traditional power sources. Governments across the world are now offering incentives like rebates and tax credits to offset the higher cost.
• Limits in storage capabilities – because of limitations in storage technology, renewable energy sources are prone to intermittency. It is hoped that the advances in storage technology will see the introduction of long-lasting batteries and other backups.
• Geographical limitations – the limitations often as a result of variations in climate and differences in topologies. For instance, certain geographical locations are more suitable for producing renewable energy compared to others.

Doug’s take on renewable energy drive

Douglas Healy is an attorney and a highly opinionated personality in the renewable energy crusade. He sees sustainable energy as the solution to pollution and the creation of healthy sources of energy. The 3 main benefits of renewable energy, according to Energy Sage (2) are:

1. Inexhaustible energy resource

Renewable energy sources cannot run out and are sourced from within the environment. These energy sources are also clean and do not pollute the environment. The most popular forms of renewable energy are the naturally occurring wind, hydro, tide, biomass and solar.

2. Low maintenance cost

Renewable energy technologies require less maintenance compared to traditional fuel sources. This is largely because renewable energy sources have far fewer moving parts and don’t need fuel combustion to work. In case of a residential power panel, the only maintenance required is cleaning.

3. Health and environmental benefits

Studies show a huge correlation between renewable energy sources and health and environmental benefits. The energy sources are considered safe as they only emit negligible amounts of greenhouse gases or pollutants into the environment. Fossil fuels are known to release huge amounts of greenhouse gases during combustion. The harmful gases can cause several health problems, including respiratory and cardiac issues.

In spite of the numerous merits of implementing sustainable energy plan and investment, Douglas Healy cautions that 100% dependency on renewable energy can place undue strain on the national power grid. A well-articulated energy blueprint must address critical concerns like growing demand for power in the near future; high upfront cost and intermittency. Douglas Healy also points that over 45% of American gas fields are located in the Mid-West country. The resource alongside the vast pipeline network cannot be overlooked in the new power plan