Ecological energy sources in practice
Ecological energy sources, in other words, renewable energy sources, are increasingly recognized as vital for our future. Currently, humanity relies primarily on non-renewable sources, which are expected to be depleted in the near future. These include fossil fuels like coal, natural gas, oil, and uranium. The greatest concern, however, is not just that these resources will eventually run out, but the detrimental impact their extraction and combustion have on the environment, and consequently, on our health. This has led to a growing emphasis on ecological, renewable energy sources.
Availability of Various Renewable Energy Sources
Contrary to popular belief, there are many renewable energy sources available. These include the sun, wind, rivers, ocean waves, and nuclear energy in a closed fuel cycle. Additionally, geothermal energy, which harnesses heat from the earth, as well as heat from air, water, biomass, and biogas combustion, are also considered renewable sources. Although energy from the sun or the earth is free, the devices needed to capture it were not widely used and were very expensive just a few decades ago. However, in this century, many governments have recognized the scale of environmental pollution, leading to a significant surge in investments in such projects. The prices of these devices have dropped significantly, making them accessible to the average homeowner. It turns out that investing in renewable energy sources is profitable for both individuals and companies, as it drastically reduces energy bills. As a result, the development of technology for harnessing energy from renewable sources has grown exponentially.
Ecological Energy for Homes
An increasing number of newly built homes are designed to rely on renewable energy sources rather than traditional solutions. Driving through Poland, it is now common to see photovoltaic panels on rooftops, capturing energy from sunlight. Heat pumps, which “pump” heat from the ground or air into the house, are also a popular choice for home heating—they can even heat the house when outdoor temperatures drop below zero! Modern wind turbines can also be seen in fields, harnessing energy from the wind, and more and more countries are opting to build nuclear power plants. By 2018, 11% of global energy demand was met by renewable energy sources. It is certain that this percentage will continue to rise each year.