The world uses many different energy sources. In 2018 fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal, were responsible for more than 81 percent of energy consumed. Renewable energy sources like solar energy, wind power biomass, hydroelectricity, and wind power comprise 14 percent. Nuclear energy is 5 percent. Different countries have different sources of energy to meet the environmental and economic demands.
Nature’s energy is available in a variety of forms like sun, wind waves, and ocean. These sources of energy are transformed into more convenient forms of energy, like electricity or heat, when they are harnessed. These energies become non-renewable sources of energy once they have been exhausted.
The environment is damaged due to a wide range of fossil fuels and also other non-renewable sources of energy. For instance mining for oil can destroy the forests of the planet. Hydraulic fracture (fracking) can cause earthquakes and pollute the water. The combustion of coal releases carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming.
Fortunately, some of the most promising sources of energy are sustainable and renewable. Solar, wind and hydropower can, for example, generate electricity without the need to dig for new sources.
Other sustainable energy sources are gaining momentum, such as waves and tidal power. To be used at a large-scale, these technologies require efficient distribution networks. This requires the use non-renewable energy sources to construct these networks. These sources aren’t sufficient to meet the majority of our energy demands. It is important to keep in mind that the prices of renewable energy equipment have drastically decreased in recent years and that le biomasse i processi termochimici efficiency is increasing.