The World Uses a Variety of Different Energy Sources

The world uses many different energy sources. In 2018 fossil fuels, like gas, oil and coal, made up more than 81 percent of energy consumed. Renewables, such as wind, solar power, hydroelectricity, and biomass, account for 14 percent. Nuclear energy is responsible for another 5%. Different countries have various energy sources, and are able to balance environmental and economic requirements.

Nature’s energy can be found in a variety of forms such as wind, sun, waves and ocean. When find out this here harnessed and transformed into more efficient forms of energy, like heat or electricity, these are known as primary sources. These energy sources become non-renewable sources of energy once they have been exhausted.

Many fossil fuels and some of the other nonrenewable energy sources are damaging the environment. For instance mining for oil can degrade the world’s forests. Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) can lead to water pollution and earthquakes. Carbon dioxide is released when coal is burned which contributes to global warming.

Fortunately some of the most promising sources of energy are sustainable and renewable. Hydropower, solar power and wind, for instance, can generate electricity without the need to search for fresh supplies.

Other renewable energy sources are emerging, like wave power and tidal energy. To be used at an extensive scale, these technologies require efficient distribution networks. This requires the use of non-renewable energy sources to construct these networks. This means that these sources aren’t capable of meeting the majority of our energy needs. Still, it’s important to be aware that prices for renewable energy equipment have decreased drastically over the last few years, and the efficiency is growing rapidly.