Alternative energy definition What is alternative energy

Is alternative energy the same as renewable energy? In order to define alternative energy we first need to define alternative energy sources. Alternative energy source is any source of energy that does not belong to traditional energy sources. Traditional energy sources are fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas). Some dictionaries, like for instance, Oxford dictionary puts alternative energy sources in correlation to environment by stating that term „alternative energy sources“ refers to energy sources that do not use up natural resources or harm the environment.

There have been many opposite opinions about what this term should and shouldnt include, and even today defining alternative energy sources will often be looked at from several different perspectives. For instance nuclear energy is thought by some to be alternative source of energy while other say that only renewable energy sources are in fact alternative energy sources. The same situation is with hydropower because some think that hydropower is a traditional source of energy together with fossil fuels while others do not look at hydropower as traditional source of energy.

To stay out of these controversies as much as possible let us focus here on the most common alternative energy sources: solar energy, wind energy and geothermal energy. Other alternative energy sources include the likes of biofuels, tidal and wave power, and hydrogen.

Solar energy is coming from the Sun and this is the most abundant source of energy available on our planet. Solar power technologies have recently experienced huge decline in prices but nonetheless solar industry still heavily depends on subsidies and other tax incentives. Solar energy industry also needs to find the adequate energy storage solution in order to solve the intermittency issue (since the sun doesnt shine all day long). Given the enormous potential of solar energy as well as large funds and numerous researches it is pretty realistic to say that one day solar energy will become the dominant energy source in the world (once it reaches cost parity with fossil fuels).

Wind energy is better in cost-competitiveness when compared to solar energy but still suffers from intermittency issue just like this is the case with solar. Many countries have started massive wind energy expansion (most notably China). In years to come it is expected that the global wind energy industry will focus offshore, in areas with more powerful and more frequent ocean winds.

Geothermal energy refers to the heat stored within the earths core. Geothermal energy is unlike solar and wind available 24-7 but has high drilling and exploration costs, which means that with current technological development harnessing geothermal energy is only viable in areas near tectonic plates. This is also the reason why there are only 24 countries in the world currently harnessing geothermal energy.

These three alternative energy sources have one big advantage over traditional fossil fuels, and that is their environmentally friendly character. Fossil fuel burning still remains the main contributor to climate change and air pollution which means that world needs to replace fossil fuels with alternative energy sources as soon as possible in order to avoid environmental disaster of gigantic proportions.

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Energy security – Meaning definition and importance

Energy security is term we often here these days, especially when we are listening different reports about the world running out of oil. The best way to define energy security is to say that this term refers to availability of natural resources for energy consumption in a given period of time (short or long-term period in order to estimate future energy security).

Each country must think about its future energy security because this is one of the main prerequisites for the future economic growth. Our economy is traditionally based on fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas), and this fact leads to conclusion that only the adequate supply of fossil fuels can guarantee future energy security.

The transition to renewable energy could change this but all current estimates say that our economy will continue its dependence on fossil fuels till at least the end of the century. Under this scenario fossil fuels will continue to determine the destiny of future global energy security and oil will likely continue to shape up the global economic growth.

The role of renewable energy in improving energy security is not to be overlooked because more renewable energy coming from domestic renewable energy sources means less need for fossil fuels and expensive foreign fuel import. Going for more domestic energy resources instead of relying on expensive foreign fuel import is very positive thing for future energy security.

The bigger percentage of renewable energy sources in countrys energy portfolio also means improved energy independence. Energy independence and energy security are two closely connected terms, basically in most cases improved energy security means also improved energy independence.

There are many different threats to energy security, for instance political turmoils in rich oil producing countries, the rise of new economic giants (China and India that present heavy competition over energy sources), natural disasters and accidents, etc.

Also, energy security doesnt refer just to the amount of energy resources that are at disposal to certain country but also to a security of energy supply (adequate distribution network). Energy plays key role in the national security of any given country because without energy theres no economy, and without economy theres no progress of society in general.

Major oil exporters today play key role in global energy security. Many powerful countries are looking for long-term solutions to increase energy security by reducing dependence on foreign oil import. This has not only resulted in the growth of domestic renewable energy resources but also in different measures aimed to improve energy efficiency and energy conservation.

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