Energy gained from sources like the sun, wind, water, and plants is a renewable resource that is almost unlimited in supply. A “renewable” energy source cannot ever be depleted because it cannot be used up or exhausted, and it must be replenished often and naturally with energy infrastructure partners.
Although renewable energy is a clean or green power type, it is not the same. Clean energy refers to the environmental effect of a power source, not all renewable sources of energy. Because of this, nuclear energy might be viewed as clean in some areas (but not green).
Your Carbon Footprint Is Reduced When You Use Renewable Energy.
Your carbon footprint is a measure of your environmental effect based on your everyday choices. Utilising zero-emission energy sources such as wind and solar in your house can help reduce your carbon footprint by “offsetting” or substituting the use of fossil fuel-based energy sources.
You may significantly lower your carbon footprint by reconsidering your home’s energy source. The energy business uses renewable energy credits to verify that power generated from renewable sources is indeed renewable. Because they own their photovoltaic solar farm, they not only utilise these certifications to verify that your power is 100 per cent renewable but also manufacture your own. All parties involved benefit from this arrangement.
Environmentally-Friendly Renewable Energy Reduces Air Pollutants
Nitrogen oxide (NOx), a potent greenhouse gas, is formed when fossil fuels are burnt to generate electricity. Furthermore, the chemical reactions of the gas produce ground-level ozone, a dangerous air pollutant. In other words, you are shielded from the sun’s dangerous UV radiation thanks to the ozone layer. Many health issues can arise from ozone pollution, including but not limited to:
- Coughing
- Irritation in the throat
- Inflammation of the airways
- a weakened ability to breathe
- Tissue damage to the lung
Heat, sunshine, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) combine to form ground-level ozone, which is a byproduct of the production of paints, medicines, and refrigerants, all of which include VOCs.
When using renewable energy sources, nitrous oxides are not released. Because renewable energy doesn’t create greenhouse gases, it also reduces your carbon footprint. It helps balance the demand for fossil fuel power, which may contribute to excess air pollution in metropolitan areas, reducing the need for fossil fuels.
Less water is used in the production of renewable energy.
Almost all energy sources require a significant amount of water to function. Coal, natural gas, and nuclear power make use of heat and steam to turn turbines to produce electricity. To produce one megawatt-hour of electricity, both coal and natural gas use around 60,000 gallons of water.
Water is not required to power wind turbines or photovoltaic solar panels. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the water used to clean and wash solar panels is only around 20 gallons every megawatt-hour (MWh) of power generated (SEIA). An average household uses roughly 20,000 gallons of water each year.
As a result, hydropower generates electricity by the movement or fall of water from a dam, river, or stream rather than through the combustion of fuels, and this is possible due to energy infrastructure partners.
The Economic Benefits of Renewable Energy
There are several factors at play, including:
- Reduced expenses due to advancements in technology: Because sustainable energy technology is becoming more affordable, the price of power is decreasing as well. Increasing demand for electricity generated by clean energy and growing investment in its technologies will only enhance the need for clean energy.
- Policies that Encourage: The solar investment tax credit, for example, further reduces the cost of renewable energy supplies. A 30% reduction in the cost of installing solar PV panels has been achieved thanks to the solar tax credit. Since 2007, the solar business has had an average annual growth rate of 50%, primarily due to this.
Thus, renewable energy not only creates employment but also lowers the cost of power and keeps other energy firms on their toes because of the competition it provides.