ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY by Fausto Lusekah

Energy is simply the ability to work. When we talk of sustainable energy is meet the needs of the current operations without jeopardizing the future.There are 5 common sources of energy namely:

Solar

Bio energy

Wind power

Hydroelectric

Tidal energy

Artificial intelligence in times of energy is internet connected solutions that generate data 

Solar power

Solar energy is created by nuclear fusion that takes place in the sun.It is necessary for life on Earth, and can be harvested for human use such as electricity.

About 30% of solar energy that reaches Earth is reflected back into space.As they rise through the atmosphere, they are intercepted by greenhouse gases, such as water vapor and carbon dioxide.In this way they act as the glass wall of a greenhouse.

There are different ways of capturing solar radiation and converting it into usable energy. Methods used either active solar energy or passive solar energy.

Active solar technology use electrical devices to actively convert solar energy into another form of energy. Passive solar technology do not use any external devices.

Wind energy

It is a process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbine convert the kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. Wind energy is sourced from land-based, distributed and offshore.

Wind energy is advantageous in that: 

It creates good paying jobs

It is a clean and renewable energy source

Wind energy is cost effective

Wind energy benefits local communities

Geothermal energy

It is heat within the earth. Geothermal energy can be harnessed both as a source of renewable electricity as well as directly for heating and cooling applications.

Geothermal energy has much smaller carbon footprint and does not release harmful pollutants into the air.However, drilling and injection of fluids into earth can cause small earthquakes and the release of geothermal fluids can contain trace amounts of harmful chemicals.

There are some limitations and challenges of geothermal energy like:

It has high cost

Environmental concerns

High temperature is needed

May run out of steam

Sustainability issues

Cost of powering the pump.

Location constraint it can only be produced where hydrothermal resources exist

Earthquake risk is the risk of spurring earthquakes.

The environmental effects of geothermal energy include 

changes in land use associated with exploration and plant construction, noise and sight pollution, the discharge of water and gases.