Switching to renewable energy is one of the simplest things people can do to join the fight against climate change. This is because renewable energy sources like the sun and wind do not create carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases that contribute to the rising temperatures of global warming.
However, renewable energy sources do have environmental consequences, some of which are significant. If you are looking into how to switch electricity providers, consider these factors when making your decision.
Biomass Energy
Biomass produces electricity from a variety of resources, including energy crops (such as switchgrass, giant reed, and eucalyptus), agricultural waste, manure, forest products and waste, and urban rubbish. Biomass energy can be produced in a sustainable manner, but the type of feedstock and how it is produced can have a significant impact on land use and global warming emissions.
For example, corn-based ethanol is criticised by some for pulling corn from the food market and for supporting the same bad farming techniques that result in environmental hazards like toxic algae blooms. Meanwhile, scientists are attempting to improve the efficiency in how agricultural waste, wastewater sludge, and other biomass sources are converted into energy, with the goal of extracting value from materials that would otherwise be discarded.
Geothermal Power
Geothermal energy comes from the Earth’s internal heat and has been utilised for cooking and heating for thousands of years. Through wells that can run a mile deep or more, underground reservoirs of steam and hot water can be accessed to generate power on a massive scale. Unlike solar and wind energy, geothermal energy is always available, though it has downsides, such as the rotten-egg stench that can accompany released hydrogen sulfide.
Some areas naturally contain these hot spots, but oftentimes people must drill deeper to access geothermal resources. This can also be an issue because additional drilling can lead to higher geothermal activity, which could pose a threat to everyone in the region.
Hydropower
Water is used to power both hydroelectric and hydrokinetic power plants, which can be generated by hydroelectric dams or smaller, river-fed facilities. Both sorts of plants, as amazing as they are, can have a significant environmental impact.
Large dams have the potential to disturb river ecosystems and nearby towns, causing species to suffer and residents to be displaced. Silt buildup in hydropower plants can restrict capacity and damage equipment. Drought can also be an issue. Even at full capacity, hydropower emits methane, which is released by decaying organic material in reservoirs.
Solar Power
Solar power is altering energy markets all around the world by creating clean, long-lasting electricity. Concentrating solar power (CSP) plants, in addition to solar panels that convert the sun’s light to electricity, utilise mirrors to concentrate the sun’s heat, resulting in thermal energy instead.
Solar-powered panels and plants, especially in areas with year-round sun and heat, can supply enormous amounts of renewable energy. Solar farms, on the other hand, can have just as much of an influence on animal habitats as coal plants. They also need a lot of water for coolants, and many of them are made with potentially dangerous materials. These effects, however, differ substantially depending on the manufacturer and the sort of solar system used.
Wind Energy
Wind energy is one of the cleanest and most environmentally friendly ways to create electricity, as it produces no hazardous pollution or greenhouse gas emissions. Wind is also abundant, inexhaustible, and affordable, making it a viable and large-scale fossil fuel alternative.
While wind power generation has immense potential, it also has a variety of environmental effects that need to be considered. Land use issues and threats to wildlife and habitat are among them. Another issue is that wind turbines kill hundreds of thousands of birds and bats each year. While this isn’t as bad as glass collisions or other dangers like habitat loss and invasive species, it’s enough that engineers are working on ways to make them safer for flying animals.
Despite these various negative environmental consequences, renewable energy technologies are still a better option than what is used now. New Zealand, for example, has pledged to use 100 percent clean energy within two decades. If it works, this will be a significant step in destroying old habits and cleaning up the world for the future.
