We currently rely on non-renewable energy sources, which are quickly becoming de

Question

We currently rely on non-renewable energy sources, which are quickly becoming depleted. There are many renewable energy sources such as solar wind, geothermal, biomass and hydropower systems, yet they have not become universally accepted/adopted. I want you to pick one renewable energy source to research and answer the following questions (as a class, try to cover the ones mentioned above and try not to repeat):

1. What are the benefits and drawbacks of the energy source?

2. What are the potential impacts of the energy source?

3. Describe any environmental impacts from the energy source.

4. What is the greatest factor that has kept alternative, renewable energy sources from being universally accepted / adopted?

Explanation / Answer

Energy which is consumed by human for their daily activities are broadly classified into two forms i.e, Renewable and Non-Renewable sources of energy. Non renewable sources of energy are those which are not continuous and whose continuous use may leadto depletion of these sources. Some of the Non-Renewable sources of energy are fossil fuels like coal, natural gases, oil, nuclear energy etc. Since it takes thousans of years for formation of these fossil fuels, continuous use of these may create a warning against its decreasing quantity.

However Renewable sources of energy are those which occurs in nature continuously and whose quantity is not depleted by its continuous use. Some examples of renewable sources of energy are solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and hydropower system. These sources of energy are inexhaustable and moreover it does not harm nature by creating pollution and more imporatantly its cost is less as compared to Non-renewable sources..

One such imporatnt source of energy is solar energy. Solar energy is derived from sun. Today solar energy is used to run many appliances. for this solar plants are set up. But it too has some advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages: Unlike renewable sources of energy It is pollution free and does not harm Ozone layer in any ways. It is low cost as compared to Diesel and petrol and electricity. These solar panels can set up easily under low investment and can be installed anywhere. These solar powers are used to run batteries, and power operated machineries and vehicles etc. These battery Have energy storage capability which let them run even when sunlight is absent.

Disadvantages: Inspite of many advantages these panels have some dsadvantages too. Since solar energy is not availble everytime hence energy source is limited and for this more storage is needed at night. Moreover cloudy days and winter season also deplete energy. More space is needed for the set up of these panels.However researches are going on but still vehicles run on sokar energy have less speed as compared to those which runs on petrol and diesel..

Potential environmental impacts of solar enrgy: Like other sources of energy solar energy two faces numerous potential impacts.Since these solar panels setup my require large scale of land thus this may interfere the working of existing land . When these lands are cleared or graded then this may lead to erosion due to clearing of land and alteration of drainage channel. In soil of the particular land it may lead to release of soil pathogens which later contaminate water resevoir

Other potential impacts of these sources may include large expenses which are required for solar plant set up as well as salary and wages given to employees. But the main factor which still create problem in accepting it universally is its less energy production as compared to renewable source.

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