The world uses a variety of energy sources. Fossil fuels — including natural gas, oil and coal–accounted to more than 81 % of all energy consumed in the year 2018. Renewable energy sources, such as solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity and biomass, make up for 14 percent. Nuclear energy accounts for another 5percent. Different countries use different mixes of energy sources, balancing environmental and economic requirements.
Nature is a rich source of energy in a number of forms, including sunlight and wind, waves, oceans and more. When harnessed and transformed into more convenient forms of energy, such as heat or electricity, these are referred to as primary sources. When those energies are exhausted, they are non-renewable energy sources.
A lot of fossil fuels and a few of the other sources of energy that aren’t renewable are causing harm to the environment. For instance mining for oil may strip the planet’s pristine forests. Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) can result in water pollution and earthquakes. Burning coal releases carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming.
Fortunately, some of the most promising sources of energy are renewable and sustainable. Hydropower, solar power and wind for instance, could produce electricity without having to search for fresh supplies.
Tidal and Wave Power are two more sustainable energy sources that are emerging. To be used on a large-scale, these technologies need to have effective distribution networks. These must be built using a source of non-renewable energy sources. These sources aren’t sufficient to provide the majority of our energy demands. It’s still important to remember that the cost of renewable energy equipment has fallen dramatically in recent years and efficiency is growing.