Most of the energy we consume currently comes from coal and fossil fuels. Converting these resources into energy leads to global warming. Hence, finding an alternative solution has become a significant concern in the past decade. Several clean and green energy sources have become a great alternative.
Most of the time, these green energy sources are also clean. Hence, the terms are usually used interchangeably. However, there’s a difference between clean and green energy sources. For instance, dams are essential to convert hydropower into usable energy, and deforestation required to construct them can eventually lead to pollution. Hence, hydropower is renewable energy but cannot be placed under a clean source. If the dams are built so they don’t harm the environment, hydropower becomes clean and green.
Even these sources can pose some threat to the environment. But the danger is far less dangerous for the environment than that posed by fuels and gases. Hence, we see several government initiatives adopting clean, green, and renewable energy worldwide.
The Role of Government
Governments can play a significant role in scaling the adoption of clean energy. Most investment into renewable energy is likely to come from private organizations. However, a poor regulatory framework is hindering these investments. When governments provide regulatory frameworks and solutions to other such challenges, the assets will increase, further impacting renewable and clean energy adoption.
Besides, the governments are also enforcing the use of these energy sources to some extent. For instance, Massachusetts law mandates providing at least 18% of renewable energy to customers in Boston. This is done through the Community Choice Electricity program. The state has deployed around 150 such programs.
The primary reason behind the initiative was climate change and the resulting natural disasters. Global warming has led to the occurrence of sudden weather changes in Massachusetts. One of the most affected areas is the state’s capital Boston. Boston has experienced several minor and major coastal storms over the last couple of decades. The government is trying to scale the adoption of renewable energy to minimize the effects in Boston and globally. Due to the sudden weather changes, it is also advisable for the people in Boston to look at the weather forecast before leaving their houses.
The Importance of Sustainable Energy
The primary need for sustainable energy is its positive impact on the environment. Besides the environmental benefits, these energy sources can also prevent man-made disasters like fuel spills or gas leaks. Besides preventing hazardous scenarios, using clean, renewable energy also has financial benefits.
Due to a lack of fuels, several countries have to import them to meet the demand. This leads to an increase in import expenditure. Green and natural resources are in abundance and cannot get depleted. Hence, with an appropriate framework, any country can produce energy at affordable prices.
Sources of Clean Energy
There are three primary sources of clean, renewable sources, which are:
Solar Power
Solar energy or sunlight is the most significant source of clean energy. The best part about solar energy is that anyone can easily use it with a small setup. All you need is a rooftop and a couple of solar panels. While solar energy will never deplete, the amount you get can vary based on the geographic location, weather, and time of the day. These limitations might seem huge, but the possibility of storing solar energy can easily overcome them.
Wind Power
The wind is another source of energy available in abundance on our planet. While wind is easily convertible to energy, the problem hindering its significant scale adoption is that every property is unsuitable for deploying a wind turbine. However, adoption is still on the rise through international collaborations.
Hydro Power
Hydro is the most reliable clean energy source. It is already contributing around 20% of the total energy consumed. Besides being dependable, energy developed by hydropower is also easy to store for future use. Hence, even municipal corporations across the world are investing in hydropower energy.
Conclusion
We are already seeing an upward rise in focus on making clean, green, and renewable energy mainstream. Although such energy sources currently suffice only a third of the total consumption, the numbers will grow soon. As the population increases, the energy demand will also rise. Energy providers will have to shift to renewable sources to meet the demand, leading to increased adoption.
Technical advancements will also play a vital role in making renewable energy ubiquitous. As technology improves, the cost of converting raw renewable power into energy will reduce, and the efficiency will increase. Hence, it can be said that the future of renewable energy looks bright.
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