The world is awash with a variety of energy sources. In 2018, fossil fuels, such as oil, gas and coal, were responsible for over 81 percent of the energy consumed. Renewable energy sources such as solar energy, wind power biomass, hydroelectricity, and biomass are responsible for 14 percent. Nuclear energy is another 5 percent. Different countries use different sources of energy to meet environmental and economic requirements.
Nature’s energy is available in a variety of forms such as wind, sun, waves and ocean. These sources of energy are transformed into more convenient forms of energy, like electricity or heat when they are harnessed. When these energy sources are exhausted, they turn into non-renewable energy sources.
Many fossil fuels and some of other energy sources that are not renewable are damaging the environment. For instance mining for oil can degrade the world’s forests. Hydraulic fracture (fracking) can cause earthquakes and pollute the water. Carbon dioxide is released when coal is burned which causes global warming.
Fortunately that many of the most promising sources of energy are sustainable and renewable. Solar, wind, and hydropower can create, for instance, electricity without the need to dig up new sources.
Tidal and Wave Power are the other renewable energy sources that are emerging. However, in order to be utilized at a large scale these technologies require efficient distribution networks. They need to be constructed and operate with the use of non-renewable energy. These sources aren’t able to meet the majority of our energy requirements. But it’s important keep in mind that the costs for renewable energy equipment have dropped dramatically over the past couple of years, and efficiency is growing rapidly.