The World Uses a Variety of Different Energy Sources

The world is awash with a variety of energy sources. Fossil fuels — including natural gas, petroleum and coal accounted for more than 81 percent of all energy consumed in 2018. Renewable sources such as solar power, wind power biomass, hydroelectricity, and wind power make up 14 percent. Nuclear energy is 5 percent. Different countries use different sources https://leonardogiombini.it/2018/06/02/leonardo-giombini-e-le-energie-rinnovabili of energy to meet the environmental and economic demands.

Energy is found in nature in many forms: sunlight and wind, waves, oceans and more. When harnessed and transformed into more convenient forms of energy, like electricity or heat, these are called primary sources. These sources of energy become non-renewable sources of energy when they are exhausted.

The environment is damaged by many fossil fuels along with other non-renewable sources of energy. For instance, mining for oil can destroy the forests of the planet. Fracking (hydraulic fracture) can result in earthquakes and water pollution. Carbon dioxide is released when coal is burnt which contributes to global warming.

Fortunately, the majority of the most promising sources of energy are renewable and sustainable. Solar, wind and hydropower can generate, for instance electricity without having to dig up new sources.

Other sustainable energy sources are emerging, such as wave power and tidal energy. However, to be used at a large scale these technologies require effective distribution networks. They need to be constructed and operate with the use of non-renewable energy sources. As a result, these sources are not yet enough to supply the majority of our energy requirements. It is important to keep in mind that the cost of renewable energy equipment have decreased dramatically in recent times and that efficiency is increasing.