Fossil fuels are considered to possess high levels of energy density. The fuels are utilized both, as a primary energy source and as a secondary energy source. As a secondary source, the fuel generates electricity. Fossil fuels are very powerful and dependable in terms of the level of accessibility and power generation. Fossil fuels are extremely flexible in terms of finding a place to locate the energy generation plants. The cost of operating the energy generation plants is low. This can be attributed to the fact that the government decided to offer several subsidies on their use. However, the fossil fuels are known to emit the highest level of greenhouse gases into the environment. They and electricity do well because of the availability of generative and distributive infrastructures.
The renewable energy sources lack most of the traits mentioned above for the fossil fuels. For instance, the energy densities are much lower. The level of power output varies significantly in terms of accessibility and productivity. These energy sources are also not flexible in terms of location. Like the fossil fuels, they emit certain greenhouse gases into the environment. Other environmental dangers are associated with the use of the renewable energy sources. Their cost of operation varies. This is attributed to the availability or lack of government subsidies. The infrastructure that is necessary to produce, store, and transmit energy from renewable sources is still at its infancy stage.
The generation of nuclear energy has raised concerns on the world stage. This type of energy has several benefits. It contains extreme levels of energy densities which are higher than fossil fuels and renewable energy sources. Nuclear energy emits low levels of GHG, as well as low levels of Carbon dioxide. It appeals in terms of use since it contributes less towards global warming. Although this energy is expensive in terms of setting energy generation plants, it generates energy that is quite inexpensive. Uranium, thorium, and plutonium may remain available for many more years until 2050.
The use of renewable sources of energy is the best alternative. This means that a lot needs to be done to ensure that the appropriate infrastructure is developed to harness sufficient amounts of energy. Fossil fuels and nuclear energy should be used as alternative sources of energy. They should not be ignored since the world needs increased energy sources. However, strategies should be put in place to ensure that the level of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere is reduced for fossil fuels and the production of nuclear energy is controlled by responsible agencies to avoid catastrophes.
Theurge for more powerful energy sources than before was fueled by the innovations and breakthroughs of the industrial revolution. As complicated mechanical innovations were produced, a huge, dependable, and ostensibly never-ending energy source was needed by the industries, as well as for transportation purposes. The innovations made during the industrial revolution period offered the apparatus to harness the available deposits of coal and oil that had been found.
Fossil Fuels
From 1769 through 1800, James Watt acquired a patent for the steam engine. It became easier to produce steam power. The generation of steam power was combined with the mining of coal to assist in pumping water from the mines. It has been common knowledge that heat can be harnessed to generate steam. The only demerit about the steam engine was that it had a very low level of energy efficiency.
However, the water was important in the production of the energy densities required to produce a good amount of energy to be used by the steam engine. Water is a renewable energy source. The steam engines were very flexible in terms of location and utility. They could be used in the manufacturing, construction, and transportation sectors. By 1900, the biggest steam engines were thirty times powerful and more efficient than before.
Renewable energy source: Wind
The original windmills were created to automate the function of grinding grain and pumping water. The vertical axis system is the initial design and was created in Persia around 500-900 A.D. Its initial utility was water pumping. However, the way water was transported is unknown since no sketches or designs are available. The Persian windmill is the first known design that has ever been documented. The windmill offered greater amounts of energy and they were tall in design to capture the highest amounts of energy densities. Windmills are known to have high levels of energy efficiency. They also capture a good amount of wind energy.
The switch to fossil fuels produced an adverse effect in the world, as it has led to a new phenomenon known as global warming. The burning of fossil fuels leads to climate change as a result of global warming. The result has been the decision by many nations to reduce their carbon emissions significantly to deal with climate change.