What is green power? How do we collect renewable energy? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this technology? Can we rely on green energy?
The definition of green energy differs from the meaning of renewable energy. Green energy means any energy type that comes from natural sources, such as water, wind or sunlight.
What is green power?
Green power is not harming the environment with gas pollution, does not overburden the local water sources and has less effect on natural habitats than any other power sources.
Types of green power
Clean energy sources are the above-mentioned water, wind, and solar power, but biomass and geothermal energy are important resources too.
Maintaining eco-friendly electricity depends on the types of green power. All of the energy sources are generated with different technologies. Solar panels, hydroelectric generators run by the flow of water, and wind turbines are responsible for covering our energy needs.
Green energy, renewable energy vs fossil fuels
Renewable energy is not the same as green energy. Green power is pollution-free, so using organic materials and creating energy while burning them might be renewable, but it is not green energy. If any CO2 is produced by the progress, we cannot talk about green energy.
The advantages of green power and renewable energy:
- A good energy source for rural areas
- High building costs, but the operational fee is low
- Gives job opportunities
- Zero or very low air pollution rate
- Infinite energy source
However, green energy can be inconsistent and can harm natural habitats, for example with noise pollution.
Because of that, fossil fuels have their advantages too:
- Although green energy is getting cheaper, fossil fuels have a better price now.
- It is not a new technology, so it is much more efficient, easier to store, and easier to transport to long distances. If we cannot deliver it through international pipelines, we can liquify it (LNG) to be shipped with tankers. But we cannot store and transport green power effectively.
Saving the environment with green power resources
If you want to save the environment, use renewable power. First, of course, big companies have to start saving energy at workplaces, during industrial processes and during transport too.
Governments also empower both companies and households to switch to green power. The European Green Deal has a goal to reduce carbon emissions by 50-55% by 2030 and to reach a zero-carbon emission by 2050.
Self-supply green energy
Self-generated energy can be the future. Households could generate their own need for electricity, and if the storage would be more efficient, they might even exchange energy for households in need.
The average payback is around 7-10 years, depending on how big the house is, and the used technology. Investing in renewable energy is a good choice nowadays – however, the technology is still developing.
Conclusion
- Renewable energy is not necessarily green energy.
- We still have efficiency problems while generating and storing green energy.
- The cost of green power is getting cheaper and cheaper.