Today marks the second annual Professional Engineers Day and to celebrate we take a look at how Engineering is driving alternative power sources and the renewable energy sector’s rapid growth.

The strength of the renewable market lies in its diversity and its tangible benefits. It’s growth will make a direct impact on billions of peoples and shows the power of engineering to improve lives.

Our infographic – created in partnership with the New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Online Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree program – explores what is the best energy source. We dive into a range of renewable energy options, emerging eco-friendly energy sources, and the different types that are currently in use. Learn more about how they work, what is the cleanest form of energy, and how experts determine their efficiency.

Renewable Energy – The Statistics

Renewable energy accounted for a tenth of the total US energy consumption in 2015.

Half of this was in the form of electricity but there are lots of different types of alternative energy and ways of generating electricity.

What are some alternative energy sources

The most efficient forms of renewable energy and geothermal, solar, wind, hydroelectricity and biomass.

These new alternative energy technologies have transformed national grids across the world in the last two decades. The rise of new renewable energy options and types of green energy have given policy makers and engineers a new toolkit to work with when trying to reduce a country’s emissions.

We wanted to show you a full list of renewable energy and green energy comparisons to highlight the pros and cons of different types of renewable energy systems on our energy sources list.

Alternative energy list

Geothermal energy is generated by harnessing the Earth’s natural heat. There is a tremendous amount stored in the planet with the conduction rate pegged at 44.2 terawatts. According to a recent report, the global industry is expected to produce around 18.4 gigawatts by 2021.

Wind energy has been the leading alternate energy generation and one of the most popular renewable energy sources and makes use of airflow to move massive wind turbines. The mechanical action generates electric power. Rows of windmills are usually constructed along coastal areas where there are no barriers to impede flow. This industry could make up 35% of US electrical production by 2050.

By that time, experts believe that solar power could be supplying us with 25% of our energy needs. The estimate is based on combined photovoltaic and solar energy alternatives like thermal energy systems generating renewable energy for the national grid. This might not be far off from reality given the continuing improvements in solar technology and the steady decrease in the cost of the panels.

An alternative source of energy is Biomass. Biomass is a popular renewable energy system that normally refers to wood, biofuels, waste and other forms of organic matter which are burned to produce energy. The burning process releases carbon emissions but it is still considered renewable because the plants used can be regrown reducing the total carbon footprint.

Generation will rise at a slower pace than the rest from 4.2 quadrillion BTU in 2013 to 5 quadrillion BTU in 2040.

Hydroelectric plants use the power of moving water to generate electricity. The conventional method is to generate energy by building dams to control the flow. This requires massive investment but operation and maintenance costs are quite low. This currently accounts for 7% of US the total US energy production.

Measuring Renewable Energy Efficiency

We can find out which one of these renewable alternatives and power technology examples are the most efficient by calculating the costs of the fuel, the production, and the environmental damages. Wind comes out on top by a wide margin over all the other sources. It is followed in order by geothermal, hydro, nuclear and solar.

A formula was devised to compute the standard cost of electricity or LCOE of the various methods we discussed. The outcome depends on several factors including the capital cost, the fuel cost, the projected utilization rate, the operation cost, and the maintenance cost.

Aside from these, both the plant owners and investors must consider the potential effects on the efficiency of other external factors. For instance, there will always be an element of uncertainty when it comes to fuel prices and government policies. One administration may be supported with tax credits and other stimuli for the industry. Another may not be as keen on seeing it take off.

LCOE is another formula used is called the levelised avoided the cost of electricity or LACE. This measures the cost of the grid was to generate electricity displaced by a new generation project. LACE seeks to address the gaps in LCOE by comparing technology efficiencies while accounting for regional differences.

Types of Wind Power

Wind Power is one of the most well known forms of sustainable energy. There are different types of wind power including offshore, distributed and utility-scale wind. Offshore is characterized by turbines located in bodies of water. Their placement makes construction difficult such that they can be 50% more expensive than nuclear and 90% more costly than fossil fuels generators.

Find out more – What Are The Worlds Biggest Cities Going To Be In 2100

Utility-scale wind refers to electricity that is generated in wind farms that is then delivered to the power grid for disbursal by utility companies to the end-user. The turbines used are bigger than 100 kW. Distributed wind power, on the other hand, is also called small wind because the turbines are 100 kW or less. The electricity is delivered directly to the end-user.

Wind turbines could use the horizontal-axis or the vertical axis design. The former is more popular than the latter. These are made up of blades, a tower, a drivetrain, controls, electrical cables, group support, and interconnection equipment. Small turbines for homes have rotors between 8 and 25 feet in diameter and stand over 30 feet.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Wind Energy

This form of energy is providing 88,000 jobs all around the US with 21,000 of these being in the manufacturing sector. It is a free and renewable resource that is clean and non-polluting. Since it is in harmony with nature, it can be built on land that is also used for growing crops or grazing animals. The initial investment may be high but the operating expenses is low. No fuel is needed to keep things going.

As for economic benefits, it is considered as a drought-resistant cash crop for farmers as well as ranchers. The taxes paid by the wind farm owners are channelled into rural communities. Indeed, around 70% of the turbines in existence are in low-income countries. These generated more than $128 billion in investments between 2008 and 2015. This resulted in $7.3 billion in public health benefits by reducing air pollutants.

Our Final Words on Renewables

Not all is good news, however, as there are also notable disadvantages. Engineers have to address several issues including the intermittent nature of wind. The ideal locations for construction are generally remote and far from the cities that need power the most. Bridging this gap is of primary importance.

They tend to be noisy while they turn and are difficult to build. Imagine building 20-story towers that can accommodate blades as long as 60 meters. The transportation of materials to remote sites is a logistical challenge. While land animals are safe, birds often fall victim to the blades as they try to pass through. Offshore turbines should be operated with migratory patterns in mind to keep marine birds safe. Exports by wind turbine manufacturers jumped from just $16 million in 2007 to $488 million in 2014.

This can be attributed to advances in wind turbine technology. This includes the development of a special blade that can increase energy capture by 12%. Thanks to this and other innovations, this form of renewable energy is becoming more efficient and attractive for investors.

If there is one thing that humanity will always need, in addition to the basic necessities of life, it is energy. From the primal beginnings of taming fire to the industrial revolution, we have always sought out ways to use energy to enhance our lives — and this is even more apparent in the modern world, where everything is digitized.   

Given that we need energy so badly, it is imperative that we use the best sources possible. After all, conventional sources of energy, such as coal and oil, are finite and will eventually run out. It is crucial that we adopt more sustainable energy sources to ensure that we can power our constantly accelerating energy needs. In addition to this, it is important to lessen the effects of climate change that are caused by pollutant byproducts of traditional energy production, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases (GHGs).  

Below, we cover common questions and areas of concern with regard to different types of energy generation. This includes covering the sustainability of wind, nuclear, solar, and geothermal energy as well as exploring why coal is not considered sustainable and whether renewable energy can replace fossil fuels. 

How Sustainable Is Wind Energy?

 

Wind energy is one of the most sustainable forms of energy currently available. It harnesses the power of naturally moving air to spin wind turbines, which in turn generate electricity. Not only is this great because it provides a regenerative form of energy, but it also does so without greenhouse gas emissions.   

Some of the best attributes that make wind energy sustainable include:  

• No fuel inputs

   

• No CO2 or other GHGs

   

• Infinite energy source from wind, which is powered by the sun indirectly 

   

• Long-term use potential

   

• Ability to be implemented all over the world

   

  
  

In addition, producing wind energy can be used as a form of carbon offset to lower overall emissions from other energy resources. 

How Sustainable Is Nuclear Energy?

 

Nuclear energy is, perhaps surprisingly, a very sustainable form of energy — depending on how you view it. In terms of abundance and the absence of carbon emissions, nuclear power is right up there with renewables. It also has the added advantage of constant reliability: Nuclear energy can be used as a baseload power source, which is not possible with intermittent renewables.   

This is why many climate activists and energy analysts passionately recommend more nuclear capacity to reach our carbon-free energy goals. Nuclear power can provide an abundant baseload power source that could, in tandem with renewables, meet our growing energy demands in a way that no other currently available energy source can.  

However, there is one big catch: nuclear waste. This is where terming nuclear energy as “sustainable” becomes hotly contested because there is a lot of potential danger to the environment from radioactive waste. There is a strong anti-nuclear sentiment in many areas of the globe, especially after high-profile accidents such as Chernobyl and Fukushima.   

So, which is it? Is nuclear energy sustainable or unsustainable? The only way to truly answer this question may be in a new form of nuclear technology that is currently on the verge of being deployed. This technology is known as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), and they take all the positive aspects of traditional nuclear power while mitigating virtually all of the downsides.  

These reactors generate carbon-free electricity without the radioactive waste or potential for catastrophic meltdowns caused by core temperatures getting too high. They are also scalable and modular, meaning costs are lower and implementation is easier than large-scale reactors. If traditional nuclear energy is on the fence, these next-generation SMRs are definitely on the side of sustainability. 

How Sustainable Is Solar Energy?

 

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Solar energy, much like wind, is one of the most sustainable energy sources currently available. In fact, given its modular and scalable nature — where it can be utilized as part of massive solar fields or mounted on individual homes — it may be the most practical form of sustainable energy in use today.   

Solar power uses photovoltaic solar panels that convert energy from photons (light from the sun) into usable energy for us here on earth. Though this form of energy is not the most efficient, it has improved dramatically over the past 50 years — especially in the past decade. Solar energy efficiency improved from less than 5% efficiency up to 22% today. And with this efficiency improvement, cost improvements followed. The price of solar power has decreased 60% since 2008; it is even considered to be the cheapest form of energy in history.   

Some of the best attributes that make solar energy one of the best and most sustainable forms of energy include:  

• No fuel input

   

• Unlimited energy from the sun, the most abundant energy of all by far

   

• Long-term use potential

   

• No CO2 or other GHGs

   

• Ability to be used anywhere in the world, and

  even outside the world (

  in outer space

  )

   

• Ability to be implemented anywhere, from garage roofs, to roadways, to Mars rovers

   

  
  

Much like with wind energy, producing solar energy can also be used as a form of carbon offset to lower overall emissions from other energy sources. 

How Sustainable Is Geothermal Energy?

 

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Geothermal energy is incredibly sustainable and, in areas that are geologically active, incredibly reliable. The biggest downside to this form of energy is that it is very geographically dependent, much like hydroelectric power. While almost everywhere that people reside on the planet has sunlight and wind available, to at least some extent, not everywhere has moving water or geothermal capacity to harness these more static forms of electricity generation.   

There is an added advantage to geothermal energy, however, that makes it more applicable and accessible to a breadth of areas around the world. Because geothermal literally means “heat from the earth,” it can be used as a form of heat energy much easier than it can be used to produce electricity through steam that moves turbines. This also means that it can be tapped into almost anywhere in the world, if your goal is to regulate heating and cooling in buildings.   

If you were to dig below ground only a few meters, it would be roughly the same temperature — anywhere below the arctic circle and above Antarctica. There are geothermal exchange systems now available that can tap into this reliable source of heating (or cooling, depending on where your building is located) that is relatively easy to implement and incredibly sustainable for the environment. These involve geothermal heat pumps and do not necessitate the use of large-scale geothermal power plants.  

What Is Sustainable Energy Engineering?

 

Sustainable energy engineering involves designing, building, operating, and enhancing sustainable energy systems. This typically combines working with sustainable energy generation, renewable energy distribution, and utilization of energy in an environmentally responsible and economically beneficial manner.   

Using processes such as carbon offsets is also a part of sustainable energy engineering, as they decrease overall CO2 emissions as part of a holistic approach to carbon-neutral energy systems.  

What Are Sustainable Energy Systems?

 

Sustainable energy systems are entire energy networks that incorporate energy efficiency and conservation. These systems deploy alternative electrical energy generation using solar, wind, hydrogen fuel cells, micro-hydropower, and other forms of clean energy. They also implement other alternative forms of energy, such as active or passive solar tech, geothermal exchange, and less energy-intensive means of creating heating or cooling for buildings. This also applies to water heating systems as well, which can be used with direct solar heating as well as tankless heating systems. 

Why Is Coal Not Sustainable?

 

Coal is not sustainable for two main reasons: It is finite, and it emits carbon dioxide.

Whether your definition of sustainability focuses more on the renewable aspect (involving infinitely available energy) or more on the environmental aspect (involving less CO2 emissions), coal does not meet either of these criteria. This fossil fuel is finite in nature, with a limited amount that cannot be regenerated, except after hundreds of millions of years, and it emits more CO2 than its fuel cousins — oil and natural gas.   

Can Renewable Energy Replace Fossil Fuels?

 

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Renewable energy is fast replacing fossil fuels across the world — but it is unclear if they can replace them completely. The issue lies in how traditional non-renewable energy sources, such as fossil fuels, are used. Renewable energy resources are almost exclusively used for electricity generation, with notable exceptions such as biomass energy (biofuels or other bioenergy). Fossil fuels, on the other hand, are combustible and are used to directly power internal combustion engines and other processes that do not use electricity.   

While electrification is growing, as evidenced with the move toward electric vehicles and related changes, there is a catch: It will be difficult to generate 100% of worldwide electricity with renewable power. Hydropower currently supplies the majority of renewable energy on the planet, but it is not as scalable as solar or wind power. And given that electrification of everything will require the electric grid to grow in correlation, this means we would not need to generate 100% of our electricity with renewables — we would need to generate an additional 85% or more on top of that. This makes it very unlikely that we will be able to fully replace fossil fuels solely with renewable energy.  

Can Alternative Energy Replace Fossil Fuels?

 

Alternative energy has a much better chance of replacing fossil fuels because more energy sources are available under this category. In addition to renewables, alternative energy encompasses nuclear power, biofuels, synthetic carbon-emission-free fuels such as ethanol, and emerging technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells. Given the breadth of these sources, their combination of baseload and intermittent availability, and their use in more than just electricity generation, this clean energy mix could feasibly replace fossil fuels in the near future.  

Who Owns Heritage Sustainable Energy?

 

Marty Lagina is the Founder and Chief Executive of Heritage Sustainable Energy, LLC, which was formed in 2004 as a renewable energy provider. Heritage operates a total of 139.2 megawatts (MW) of installed renewable energy capacity, with hundreds of MW of additional wind energy generation planned for the near future.   

You may recognize Marty from the television series “The Curse of Oak Island” — he and his brother have been attempting to locate and extract a legendary treasure hoard off the coast of Nova Scotia. He has a BSME from Michigan Technological University, a J.D. from the University of Michigan, and over 30 years’ experience in the energy business. As majority owner, Marty oversees all fundamental aspects of Heritage’s wind energy business. 

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