Refining The Use Of Renewable Energy Sources
There is continuing research on ways to use renewable energy sources as the threat of depleting non-renewable materials becomes more serious. For many years, the use of fossil fuels has been the driving force behind the production of energy, but as the world's supply of oil, gas a coal starts to near its end, as well as the polluting effects becoming more apparent, the drive for cleaner and renewable energy sources heads into high gear.
Although the use of energy from the sun, the wind and water has been available for many years, the cheap use of coal and oil has continued as a less expensive means of generating electricity and providing power for heat and transportation. However, the price of oil and natural gas continues to escalate and the cost of cleaning the air from coal burning power plants is increasing the price of producing electricity, renewable energy sources that offer a clean alterative is becoming more necessary.
Using the sun to provide electricity as well as its thermal power is widely considered one of the most viable in terms of the renewable energy sources, along with wind-driven turbines and hydroelectric power, the technology is available, but learning to harness the power and the technology is still growing.
Conservation Is Driving Force Behind Development
While many environmentalists cite the need for cleaner air and water as the need for finding pollution free methods of supplying the world's energy supply, many others contend it is the need to conserve the natural elements as the force behind the development of renewable energy sources. The technology is there to use wind, water and the sun, but innovations in their production design is needed to make it affordable.
Reliability is another factor in the use of renewable energy sources, as many have become complacent about the current supply of power. Nearly everyone appreciates being able to flip a switch knowing the lights will come one and are reluctant to change their way of life. Solar power, for example is one of the best renewable energy sources, but when the sun is hidden behind clouds or during the evening hours, the supply is limited.
Many areas of the country also do not enjoy a steady wind to drive windmills and the use of hydroelectric power is limited to areas that have a sufficient water supply to turn the turbines necessary to make the production of power economical. Once research overcomes the reliability issue, more people will accept the use of renewable energy sources.
