Today, energy sources consist of fossil fuels or renewable sources. Although energy sources generated from fossil fuels are mostly used, it is a fact that the interest in renewable energy sources has increased during the last decades. So, can we say that renewable energy sources are the future source of energy?
What is Future of Clean Energy?
The energy resources of the future are generally naturally occurring energy resources. As a result of the efficient and correct use of these energies coming from the sun, wind and tides, now hundreds of people get electricity and heat. This is also crucial for all living creatures.
The fact that clean renewable energy sources are limited in energy production initiates the searches for new energy sources. At this point, some new energy sources have come to the fore such as;
- Hydro energy
- Algae energy
- Space-based solar energy
- Fusion energy
Renewable Energy and Future
The energy sources of the future come forward in order to solve the global warming and environmental problems that have reached almost inevitable points. The energy resources of the future, which have a wide range from bioenergy to space projects, also provide many benefits in terms of environment and nature.
Following the realization of the projects, it is expected to replace the dependence on fossil-based energy sources. In this way, the energy sources of the future will be both eco-friendly and effective.
Solar Energy Is the Future
Can we also say that the sun will be the energy of the future?
For the time being, there are not only regular panels to get solar energy, but also other solar panel projects that are being still studied.
Space-based solar panels are among the projects that have been the subject of research and investment for many countries since the ‘70s. These panels have the idea of harvesting sunlight in space and delivering it, wirelessly, to the Earth. The most important point of the studies is that this project will be both affordable and safe. Let’s also recall that the US sent a satellite to space in 2020 to test this technology.
One of the potential problems with the use of solar panels may be unfavorable weather conditions. Developed to prevent this, solar trackers provide maximum efficiency from the sun by tracking the points where sunlight falls, similar to sunflowers. Furthermore, solar panels on tracking systems generate more electricity.
Global Energy and Trends
Undoubtfully the world is on the verge of a new energy revolution, decarbonization. Decarbonization means the increase in renewable energy sources and the transition to an economy based on clean energy.
The era of fossil fuels, which have been providing energy after the industrial revolutions and then the internet revolutions, has to come to an end. However, we clearly see the harmful and unsustainable consequences of the systems we have established using such energy sources, both for the environment and all living creatures.
Decarbonization and the Transition to Clean Energy
There is only one future-oriented energy trend that we can talk about, which is decarbonization and the transition to clean energy. The advantages of decarbonization;
- Conservation of biodiversity for the protection of the ecosystem
- A new revolution in agriculture in line with the principles of sustainability
- Orientation towards clean energy sources such as sun, geothermal, tide and wind
- End-to-end sustainability in industry
- Transition to circular economy principles
- Rehabilitation of the construction sector and development of new projects that will reduce carbon emissions
- Changing the means of transportation with new technologies that cause minimum carbon emissions
- Waste management and use of systems to prevent air, water and soil pollution
For a sustainable future, the most important obstacle or facilitator will probably be the world’s success in the usage of clean energy.