The sustainable generation of electricity has revolutionized forms of energy consumption by allowing the use of clean energy sources, i.e., those that provide humans with this resource in a natural way and that are part of the environment.
Renewable energies are a clean and inexhaustible source of energy that allow humanity to reduce its impact on the environment by ensuring the sustainable development of societies and are the best alternative to fossil fuels and nuclear energy. The generation of clean energy is very important, both for the environment and for development, as it reduces environmental pollution, global warming, greenhouse gas emissions and helps to combat climate change.
The difference between clean and polluting energies lies in the fact that sustainable energy, unlike non-renewable sources, comes from sustainable energy sources, such as the sun and the air. This is why they are considered inexhaustible clean energy sources, one of the main characteristics that make all renewable energies elementary resources for the sustainable development of the planet.
A fundamental aspect to know what clean and sustainable energies are, as well as which are the types of clean energy, is that they come from renewable sources. The main types of sustainable energy are solar, wind, hydro and geothermal. These types of clean energy come from renewable and inexhaustible natural resources and produce energy without emitting carbon dioxide (CO2), which is related to the greenhouse effect, since it absorbs a large part of the solar radiation and retains it near the earth's surface, thus producing a progressive warming of the earth's surface.
Solar energy is that which is obtained from the light or heat of the sun through panels or mirrors and is used for the production of electricity or heat. It is an inexhaustible and renewable source. Likewise, photovoltaic energy transforms sunlight into electricity through technology based on a photovoltaic effect, that is, when the sun's radiation reaches a photoelectric cell of these panels and there is a difference between the two sides of the cell, which generates an electric current.
Three other examples of renewable energy are wind, hydro and geothermal energy. Wind energy is a renewable energy source that generates electricity using the power of the wind, and wind turbines are the devices through which it converts air into clean, renewable energy.
Likewise, hydraulic energy is obtained by taking advantage of the kinetic and potential energies contained in water, either in streams or in natural waterfalls. Through this sustainable alternative energy production process, falling water is converted into kinetic energy.
Geothermal energy is a renewable energy obtained by harnessing the heat of the subsoil, from which hot water is obtained and converted into clean, renewable energy. Although this energy source is not very well known, it is also one of the renewable energy alternatives currently used around the world.
Another type of sustainable energy is bioenergy, whose production source is biomass and is obtained through the combustion of biomass, biogas plants and biofuels.
Do you wonder what renewable energy is used for? As it does not have an impact on the environment, the use of renewable energy is expected to increase as technology advances to increase its production and lower its prices, making it more accessible to the entire population. However, it is a fact that to date, its use is already widespread, and it is applied in both domestic and industrial environments.
In this sense, all the types of clean and renewable energies listed in the previous section are used to obtain electricity, and in the case of solar, geothermal and bioenergy, they are also used for heating and cooling and even for transportation.
