Why Renewable Energy Systems Are Important
View PDF | Print View
by: HenryClark | Total views: 31 | Word Count: 645
There are a number of renewable energy systems, one of the main ones coming from solar energy. Actually there are two ways of using solar power, to create electricity or to heat water. There are also other useful ways of heating water, through the use of heat pumps.
Electricity Production
When it comes to producing electricity, there are a number of ways to do it with renewable energy. Just about any of the natural processes on the planet can be used to create electricity. For example, wind can be used to turn wind turbines that create electricity. Or the heat in the earth, geothermal energy, can be used to heat water to create electricity.
It's different with solar energy, which generates electricity in a much more direct way. The usual way of generating electricity is to heat water, which creates steam, which turns turbines, which generate electricity. With wind it's different because it is the wind itself that turns the turbines.
When it comes to generating electricity from the sun's energy though, there is no heating of water involved. Indeed, there aren't even any turbines involved, making it a unique form or electricity production. The way it does this, instead, is that a flow of electrons is created (which is precisely what electricity is).
The way that electricity is produced on solar panels is quite ingenious. What happens is they use a material called a semiconductor, and one of the features of this type of material is that when light hits it, electrons are caused to move. Now a little bit more work has to be done to make sure that they flow in a useful way, but that is the basic way that it works.
Ways To Use Solar Energy
The great benefit of solar energy is its versatility. This comes about due to the fact that it is the only one of the renewable energy systems which does not require a turbine.
In terms of the conventional production of electricity, as well as most ways of producing renewable energy, a lot of space is needed. They at least need a turbine, and often a fair amount of water as well. So it's only practical to use on larger scales.
With solar energy though, it can be used on a much smaller scale. This means that you can get solar panels for your house, and they can take care of much of your energy needs. It can go further than though. It means that solar power can be used for transportation as well because solar powers can be put on the roofs of vehicles.
At the present time you can't go and buy a solar powered car, although that is certainly feasible for the future. Prototypes have been made, but the first thing to come in that regard is the electric car. There are already boats that get their power from solar panels, and an unmanned plane that is used by the US military. If these sorts of things are going to become more widespread though, it is all going to come down to the financial angles.
Financial Considerations
It's very important for a number of reasons that we get off our addiction to fossil fuels, but going cold turkey would kill us (the economy). What we need to happen then, is that we are able to transfer to something more reliable, meaning renewable energy systems. And although they are now available, they're not going to become more widespread until they are financially viable.
In terms of what can be done about this, the only sustainable way of turning this around is for renewable energy to actually become better at producing energy than things like oil. If that doesn't happen, then a smooth transition is not going to be possible. Governments are helping somewhat in mimicking those conditions though, setting up feed in tariffs so that you get paid more for the renewable energy that you produce.
About the Author
To learn details about solar energy, Callum Edwards writes lots more on the issue at http://www.renewableenergysystems.org.uk. Find out additional information about the way it all works, for example how much money it's possible to make, and obtain a free quote for an installation.
Rating: Not yet rated
Login to vote
