Energy Resources

Energy Resource Challenges

In this video, they describe a few different forms of renewable energy alternatives to compete with fossil fuels. Among them presented in this video were wind power, solar energy, and biomass fermentation. Although each one of these energy sources provides efficient energy without extensive harm to the environment from byproducts, they each possess their own challenge while using and managing them.

Energy from wind-powered devices obviously depends on strong enough winds to move large turbines. In return, the spinning turbines create energy. If there is no wind to spin the turbines, energy cannot be created through this method. As far as solar panels go, a challenge with using them as an alternate means of energy is that are very expensive to purchase and maintain. Another challenge with using solar panels as a means of renewable energy is the intensity of sunlight affects the output of energy. If the solar panels are not receiving enough sunlight, they will not produce enough energy for use. A challenge with using biomass fermentation as means of energy is getting farmers to collect the material after harvesting to convert it into fuel.

In addition to renewable energy resources presented in this video, another renewable energy resource is using water for hydropower/hydroelectricity. Like the other resources, hydropower produces neither harmful waste nor harmful gases into the environment. This cannot be said for nonrenewable energy resources like coal, oil and natural gas.

A common challenge with managing nonrenewable energy resources includes using them faster than they can be replenished. With the rate at which we use nonrenewable resources, we will be out of them sooner then we know it. In addition, they produce harmful waste. Much of the environmental pollution today is directly contributed to these resources. Lastly they are becoming increasingly expensive in today’s society. With the price of oil today, society is looking...