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It can be defined as the provision of energy such that it meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs.
1) Energy Conservation
2) Renewable Energy
Costs have decreased immensely throughout the years, and continue to fall.
Increasingly, effective government policies support investor confidence and these
markets are expanding. Considerable progress is being made in the energy
transition from fossil fuels to ecologically sustainable systems, to the point where
many studies support 100% renewable energy.
In the 21stcentury, the clear goal for humanity needs to be that sustainable
energy is developed and utilized in order to provide the backbone of future global
energy supply.
Energy Conservation:
Moving towards energy sustainability will require changes not only in the way
energy is supplied, but in the way it is used, and reducing the amount of energy
required to deliver various goods or services is essential. Opportunities for
improvement on the demand side of the energy equation are as rich and diverse
as those on the supply side, and often offer significant economic benefits
Renewable energy and energy efficiency are sometimes said to be the "twin
pillars" of sustainable energy policy. Both resources must be developed in order
to stabilize and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Efficiency slows down energy
demand growth so that rising clean energy supplies can make deep cuts in fossil
fuel use. If energy use grows too fast, renewable energy development will chase a
receding target. A recent historical analysis has demonstrated that the rate
of energy efficiency improvements has generally been outpaced by the rate of
growth in energy demand, which is due to continuing economic and population
growth. As a result, despite energy efficiency gains, total energy use and related
carbon emissions have continued to increase.
Smart grid refers to a class of technology people are using to bring utility
electricity delivery systems into the 21st century, using computer-based remote
control and automation. These systems are made possible by two-way
communication technology and computer processing that has been used for
decades in other industries. They are beginning to be used on electricity
networks, from the power plants and wind farms all the way to the consumers of
electricity in homes and businesses. They offer many benefits to utilities and
consumersmostly seen in big improvements in energy efficiency on the
electricity grid and in the energy users homes and offices.
The first generation of energy source was thermal power and hydroelectric plants.
They have the advantages of being long-livedmany existing plants have
operated for more than 100 years. Also, hydroelectric plants are clean and have
few emissions. Criticisms directed at large-scale hydroelectric plants include:
dislocation of people living where the reservoirs are planned, and release
of significant amounts of carbon dioxide during construction and flooding of the
reservoir.
Renewable energy technologies are essential contributors to sustainable energy
as they generally contribute to world energy security, reducing dependence
on fossil fuel resources, and providing opportunities for mitigating greenhouse
gases. The International Energy Agency states that:
Conceptually, one can define three generations of renewables technologies,
reaching back more than 100 years
Human civilization has started realizing how much harm they have already caused
to the environment and when it comes to take a stand against these
environmental problems, the focus shifts to the use of Alternative Energy
Sources. Alternative sources of energy are the ones which do not cause any
undesirable consequences to the environment, are renewable and are available at
a comparatively lower cost.
Solar energy:
This is the energy which the earth receives from the Sun. This is one of the most
promising alternative energy sources, which will be available to the mankind for
centuries to come. The only challenge remains to tap the solar energy in the most
efficient way. The solar power generation is done by using a series of photovoltaic
cells where the solar rays are converted into electricity. Apart from electricity
production solar energy is also being used for heating water, cooking food etc.
Wind power gives variable power which is very consistent from year to year but
has significant variation over shorter time scales. It is thus used in conjunction
with other electric power sources to give a reliable supply.
The source of power generation i.e., wind is free of cost. Wind energy is a
renewable source of energy.
Wind energy is a clean form of energy, consumes no water, and uses little
land.
Hydroelectricity:
Geothermal power:
Biomass:
It has become popular among coal power stations, which switch from coal to
biomass in order to convert to renewable energy generation without wasting
existing generating plant and infrastructure.
Russell Ash, Every Subject on Earth Vol. I, - Whitakers World of Facts, Penguin
Books, 2007.