Today, the majority of the world's primary fuel comes from fuels. These fuels can cause the release of carbon dioxide into our atmosphere during combustion. This is a dangerous situation for the environment. Despite all this, the world’s primary fuel supply is growing at an even faster rate than the global population.
Renewable energy sources
Renewable energy sources are energy sources that are renewable and continually replenishable. While fossil fuels take millions and years to develop, wind or solar power can be generated at any time. These resources are great sources of electricity and heat, and often are available in large quantities. These energy sources, however, can only be used in specific conditions. Storage solutions are needed to ensure that there is a constant and reliable supply.
Renewable energy is receiving widespread support. Solar and wind energy can generate electricity without carbon emissions. Depending on the technology, they might be economical to use for large-scale projects. Solar and wind power are not reliable, so a backup generator is necessary. The system cost increases if these resources are used to power an entire grid.
Coal
Coal has been used in energy production for thousands years. It was used in the Roman Empire to heat public baths, in the Aztec Empire, and during the Industrial Revolution. Because of its high energy content, it was an attractive alternative to wood fuel. It was able to produce steam that could be used to power steamships and electricity. The northern England region was the first to mine coal. By the 18th century, more than 80% of the country's coal had been mined.
The health hazards of coal mining are severe. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has shown that coal exposure is linked to lung cancer. The IARC lists many pollutants associated with coal combustion and production as human carcinogens. These pollutants contribute to outdoor air pollution as well, such as radon. Because coal is linked with lung cancer, improving the air quality has been shown to be associated with better health. Many countries have adopted legislation to address air pollution.
Natural gas
Energy history has seen the gradual substitution of dirty, cheap fuels with cleaner and more efficient alternatives. Machines and mills replaced manual labor, coal and oil replaced wood for heating buildings and industry, and electricity replaced kerosene and whale oil. Natural gas is now a cleaner and cheaper alternative.
Natural gas, which is naturally occurring, can be found in underground reserves. It is often found with oil, making natural gas easy to find. In the early days of the oil industry, the gas produced was often wasted. Today, natural gas is valued because it can be used as a fuel for industrial processes and clean combustion. Accessing this resource requires a specific infrastructure.
Wind
Wind is one the fastest growing energy sources worldwide. It is not without its limitations, but it is very cost-effective in many places. Wind power has the potential to be more competitive than other forms of energy in some regions. R&D efforts worldwide are focused on lowering the levelized cost for electricity produced by wind.
Wind turbines harness the kinetic energy from the wind to produce wind energy. The blades of the turbine spin in a clockwise direction to catch the wind's energy. The turbine's blades spin in a clockwise direction to capture the wind energy. It is then converted into electric power. The wind energy is then converted to electricity by a transformer.
Water
The Earth has abundant resources of renewable and primary energy, such as water. But our use of these resources depletes them over time. This is especially true with water, which can be found in a variety of places. Evaporation is another way that water resources are depleted. According to researchers, the United States consumes 58 trillion gallons each year of freshwater for energy purposes.
It is possible to separate primary and secondary energy sources. Primary energy sources come from nature and can be used to create energy in other forms. Water, for instance, can be used as a source of electricity and hydrogen. Water can also be used to generate heat.