Preview

Assess the Potential of Three Sources of Renewable Energy as Alternatives to Using Fossil Fuels in the Developing World

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1864 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Assess the Potential of Three Sources of Renewable Energy as Alternatives to Using Fossil Fuels in the Developing World
After experiencing the replacement of manual and animal labour by steam engines in the Industrial Revolution, cheap fossil fuels then became the main source of energy. However, faced with the notable increase demand for energy, fossil fuel, as a non-renewable resource becomes scarcer and more expensive nowadays. To solve this problem, the world needs to replace fossil fuels with other sources of energy which are relatively low-cost and more secure. Renewable energy is such a potential energy. This essay will give an outline of three sources of renewable energy to be used in developing nations, which are solar energy, wind power and biomass. First, it will give a definition of fossil fuel and renewable energy, then it will move to analyse these three sources, evaluating them in three criteria: technology, cost and reliability to see whether they have great potential helping the developing world moving upwards in the future development.
Firstly, it is important to make clear the definition of fossil fuels and renewable energy. Fossil fuels can be defined as solid, liquid, or gaseous fuels formed in the ground after millions of years by chemical and physical changes in plants and animal residues under high temperature and pressure. According to Franchi (2005: 72), “renewable energy is energy obtained from sources at a rate that is less than or equal to the rate at which the source is replenished”.
Compared with conventional energy, renewable energy has an impressive long-term potential. Undoubtedly there are environmental concerns with the usage of non-renewable energy. Massive combustion of fossil fuels leads to serious air pollution and global warming, thus posing major health risks coupled with the quick and wide migration of diseases. However, renewable energy offers clean sources that seem much friendlier to the environment. Furthermore, it is widely agreed that renewable energy is more likely sustainable to meet demand in future development other than fossil
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Compare and Contrast Essay - Solar Power vs Coal Power
    • 1129 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Compare and Contrast Essay - Solar Power vs Coal Power

    Availability of fossil fuels is a considerable factor when dealing with various energy sources. Coal is non-renewable and it is estimated that at least 40% of the world’s electricity comes from coal, and in 2005 Coal power produced 49.7% of the United State’s electricity supply. The consumption of coal is expected to increase 71% between 2004 and 2030, highly motivated by developing countries that use coal to generate about 75% of their power. There are limited stocks of coal remaining, they will be entirely depleted this millennium if we continue to burn coal in the future at the same rate we are today. Solar energy, on the other hand requires the use of the sun which is renewable and will potentially never run out regardless of how much it is used. Therefore, solar energy seems to be the better choice.…

    • 1129 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Pros And Cons Of Renewable Energy Demand
    • 303 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Pros And Cons Of Renewable Energy Demand

    Energy demand is increasing day by day owing to our dependency upon fossil fuels, which is a limited energy source and also poses negative effect on environment due to CO2 removal. Concerns about increased global energy demand, finite natural resources and environmental issues, are thus intensifying the search for sustainable, clean, renewable and eco-friendly alternatives to fossil fuels (Venkata mohan et al., 2008). Renewable energy can be defined as energy that comes from constantly replenished resources such as sunlight, rain, wind, hydropower and fuel cells. Renewable bioenergy is considered one of the new ways to resolve the current global warming problem. Renewable energy generation and waste disposal are two key challenges…

    • 303 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Sci 110- Energy and Fossil Fuels Term Paper
    • 335 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Sci 110- Energy and Fossil Fuels Term Paper

    Fossil fuels are energy sources such as petroleum, natural gas, and coal which contain the stored radiant energy of organisms that lived millions of years ago (Tillery, Enger, & Ross, 2009, p. 67). Fossil fuels are an attractive source of energy because they are accessible and cheap.…

    • 335 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Pros And Cons Of Fossil Fuels
    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Pros And Cons Of Fossil Fuels

    Fossil fuels comprise 80 percent of current global primary energy demand, and the energy system is the source of approximately two thirds of global carbon dioxide emissions as of 2015 (Foster and Elzinga). For decades, people have argued about whether fossil fuels are helpful to the planet and sustainability. Although, there is no right or wrong answer because renewable and non-renewable resources have disadvantages and advantages. There are very many different variables to be considered in this argumentation. Fossil fuels make up most of Earth’s energy.…

    • 379 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Pros And Cons Of Renewable Energy
    • 430 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Pros And Cons Of Renewable Energy

    Renewable energy is often not efficient and powerful enough compared to traditional power sources; the disadvantage present in energy systems such as solar and wind fail to win the energy revolution against the oil-based economy. The damage to the environment is a threat to life on Earth and we can no longer afford to be spectators. Given…

    • 430 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Alternative Energy: the Correct Response to Diminishing Fossil Fuels
    • 1618 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Alternative Energy: the Correct Response to Diminishing Fossil Fuels

    In 1977, the President of the United States of America, Jimmy Carter, advocated for the use of alternative energy to the American people “because we are now running out of gas and oil, we must prepare quickly to strict conservation [of fossil fuels] and to the use of coal and permanent renewable energy sources, like solar power.” More than thirty years later his announcement still rings true and is relevant. In fact, the current situation of non-renewable fuels is worse than in 1977. This is because American and global society is becoming more mobile and active, which is causing fossil fuels to be diminished at a higher rate than ever. Scientific discovery like the innovation of steam power and river power in the nineteenth century was a catalyst for meeting energy needs. Almost two hundred years later, the time to update energy solutions has arrived. Even though people disagree, alternative energy is the correct solution to the problem of diminishing fossil fuels. Therefore it is imperative that alternative energy be used more often than non-renewable resources due to their renewability, benefits to the environment and humankind, and its ability to stimulate the economy with an independent energy market.…

    • 1618 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Opposing Views on Renewable Energy
    • 511 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Opposing Views on Renewable Energy

    Over the years, there has been a huge debate whether using renewable energy is beneficial to our environment or not. The biggest source of our energy has been sourced by coal, oil and natural gasses. Some researchers believe that there are many benefits of using renewable energy and that we should be concerned with seeking environmentally friendly alternatives instead. Not only are these sources harmful, they will eventually deplete our natural resources. The goal is to find pollution-free renewable energy that can offer a better future.…

    • 511 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Renewable Energy: Yes or No?
    • 2467 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Renewable Energy: Yes or No?

    Although fossil fuels provide an inexpensive form of energy, they have been shown to pollute ecosystems, endanger animals and humans, are not sustainable, and cannot provide nearly the amount of energy that can be obtained from renewable sources.…

    • 2467 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Energy Exploration
    • 1607 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Energy Exploration

    Fossil Fuel is a non-renewable energy source. It results from the decomposition of dead and buried organisms. They are millions of years old and are fossilized under rock and sand. They are efficient energy producers, however, they also produce carbon dioxide, a pollutant. Their energy is released through combustion where heat starts an exothermic reaction. The hydrogen and carbon molecules react chemically to produce heat. Fossil fuels like natural gas can be used as a heat source directly, taking the heat they create to warm homes. It is more common to use fossil fuels to create electricity. The combustion heats water which creates steam which turns turbines connected to generators which create electricity.…

    • 1607 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    The Pros and Cons of Different Energy Sources
    • 1610 Words
    • 7 Pages

    The Pros and Cons of Different Energy Sources

    Fossil fuels are a source of non-renewable energy that we have been using a couple centuries now. They are an important source of energy that we have come to rely on, however, these days there many discussions have been taking place concerning their usage and the impact they play on the environment. As such, I will now list the pros and cons of fossil fuels.…

    • 1610 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    To Drill or Not to Drill?
    • 416 Words
    • 2 Pages

    To Drill or Not to Drill?

    My position on this issue was originally renewable energy is beneficial for our environment. I believed this because I thought that using the fossil fuels was ruining our environment. Burning fossil fuels emits harmful gases. The use of coal, oil, and natural gas are causing problems with the earth’s o-zone layer and has caused the green-house effect and the fossil fuel supplies are depleting. I thought that using solar powered energy, geothermal energy, hydro-powered energy, wind-powered energy, hydrogen- powered energy, and biomass energy would bring about a green environment and help to save the earth in the end. Also renewable energy does not run out, and creates little or no pollution.…

    • 416 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Best Essays

    solar energy paper
    • 1239 Words
    • 4 Pages

    solar energy paper

    Today nearly half of the world’s energy is provided by petroleum. What began as a cheap and abundant way to provide energy, has become expensive, environmentally harmful, and finite. With population explosions and the demands of modern lifestyles, the world’s need for energy production has become far too much for fossil fuels to keep up with. Experts say that the Earth’s stores of petroleum will be depleted by 2050. The need to find a viable source of energy within this generation’s lifetime that can power cars and provide electricity to homes. Some of the alternative energy sources include: wind energy, nuclear energy, and solar energy. Of the three, only solar is capable of producing enough energy to power the world. Solar energy producers fall into two separate categories: thermal solar collectors and photovoltaic panels. Thermal solar energy collectors are “a source of hot water that can be used for heating or for making steam to generate electricity” (Nersesian 2007). They are the simpler of the two types and much more inexpensive. They have many practical applications such as pool warmers and water heaters. Photovoltaic panels convert solar energy directly into electricity. They are large and the technology is still fairly expensive. Solar energy is a viable option to replace fossil fuels because it is the most financially viable long term, is a renewable resource that will not harm the environment, and each system can operate independently.…

    • 1239 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Best Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Pros And Cons Of Renewable Energy Sources
    • 192 Words
    • 1 Page

    The Pros And Cons Of Renewable Energy Sources

    Since the early 1970s, when the world had its first energy shortage crisis and recognized a looming environmental crisis, 
interest in developing new sources of energy has risen significantly [1]. A spike in oil prices (2007-2008) created a more recent wave 
if interest in renewable energy sources [2]. In the United States, federal laws, such as the Energy Independence and Security Act of 
2007, as well as state level renewable energy standards support greater use of biomass to produce energy [3]. Both industry and 
academic communities have sought substitutions for fossil energy sources. In the 1990s, renewable energy sources, including biomass, 
hydroelectric, geothermal, solar, and wind, were introduced as novel replacements for fossil fuels…

    • 192 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How To Renewable Energy In America
    • 1181 Words
    • 5 Pages

    How To Renewable Energy In America

    To review, both Alternative Energy and Nonrenewable Energy have their pros and cons. However, fossil fuels are limited and hazardous to the environment so renewable energy is needed to take its place. Many countries have already begun this process. Based on this, America can and should begin to switch to renewables as a source of electricity and fuel. If climate change and greenhouse gas emissions are not addressed soon, there will be major consequences on Earth’s climate and environment. These changes will not only be dangerous to plants and animals, but to humankind as…

    • 1181 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    From Fossil Fuels to Renewable Energy
    • 2134 Words
    • 5 Pages

    From Fossil Fuels to Renewable Energy

    The gas pump. As of late, it has been the bane of drivers everywhere. With the prices of crude oil skyrocketing combined with the prices at the pump and nearly everywhere else, many people are looking toward renewable energy sources to supplement or replace the use of fossil fuels. This interest in renewable resources has generated new energy policies around the world, has spawned new energy technology and has produced ideas on a different way of living. Adding to the interest is the awareness on humanity’s impact on our environment, there is so much interest that the United States and many other countries have started to explore the option of producing power by the cleanest sources possible. However, it may not be enough. With the threat of oil reserves being used up and the energy crisis unresolved it is imperative that the United States begins to utilize solar, wind, and hydroelectric power in an effort to decrease the dependency on fossil fuels.…

    • 2134 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More

Related Topics