Renewable energy vs. greenhouse gases

There are several forms of renewable energy and climate change has intensified the search for cleaner energy sources. There are many good reasons for using renewable energy sources. They are cleaner and less polluting than traditional forms of energy, such as coal and gas. Since “renewable” means they are replenished resources, we have an infinite supply on earth. However, these resources can be mismanaged, too, resulting in damage to the environment.

Some of these energy sources are becoming easier to access through deregulation in some states. Sites such as Energysavings.com allow individuals to select the energy providers they wish to work with. When selecting businesses to work with, it’s important to understand the potential risks, so you can evaluate how well the company is doing their job.

Renewable energy sources 

• Wind Power
• Solar Power
• Geothermal Power
• Biomass
• Hydroelectric

Each type of energy source has a potential impact on the environment. The most likely risks will come from overuse and cutting of corners in an attempt to meet increased needs. Self-regulation and federal and state regulatory agencies help keep this from happening. The Environmental Protection Association (EPA) reports one common problem with all of these sources of energy: the transmission of energy. Wind farms and geothermal plants are constructed outside of populated areas and need to send power back to consumers. This can sometimes mean the clearing of huge stretches of land to produce power lines. A straight route for these power lines is more efficient, which can mean the destruction of large areas of habitat to make way for the construction.

Wind Power

Power generation from wind requires the construction of tall towers, which some people oppose because it spoils the appearance of the countryside. The large turbines and propeller blades can be noisy. Some people have complained the vibrations from turbines cause headaches. According to National Geographic Green Living, more than 30,000 birds are killed every year by the turbine blades.

Solar Power

Solar panels are typically placed on existing structures, but new large-scale projects are planned to be built in open areas. This requires land use, which impacts habitats and wildlife. The actual generation of electricity from solar panels is low-risk, but the manufacturing of the solar cells requires the use of hazardous materials.

Geothermal Energy

Some geothermal plants are located near geothermally active spots. Others require deep drilling to get to the heated resources. Drilling requires more extensive land use and introduces some risk of shifting earth. Water-cooled plants may release heated water back into rivers and streams, harming wildlife.

Biomass

The burning of plant and animal material to produce electricity can put pollutants into the air, like any fossil fuel plant. The feedstock, or fuel, that goes into a plant can be monitored and controlled by different systems. If not managed correctly, too much feedstock can be removed, harming the environment.

Hydroelectric Power

Hydropower requires the damming of rivers. Significant amounts of land are forced underwater. In many cases, wildlife moves out of the area. Fish that once traveled the waterways now are unable to move freely. Whole populations of fish can be endangered in the hydroelectric process.
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For more information relating to going solar, don't forget to visit our solar blog section for more handy guides and articles.