CleanEnergy

It’s time for the human race to enter the solar system.

Clean energy, by definition, is the “energy that comes from renewable, zero-emission sources that do not pollute the atmosphere when used, as well as energy saved by energy efficiency measures” (TWI, n.d.).

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Clean energy should not be confused with green energy; the first is gained from sources that release air pollutants, while the latter is acquired from natural sources. Also, it shouldn’t be confused with renewable energy. Renewable energy is the one that does not run out, such as Eolic energy in comparison with fossils (oil), that does run out. Clean energy combines both types of energy (green and renewable). How can a renewable source not be a green source? An example is hydraulic energy, which is renewable but is not green since it comes with heavy machinery and deforestation. Clean energy is energy such as solar and Eolic.

Advantages
Disadvantage
  • Eco Friendly
  • Renewable
  • Reliable
  • Generation of Jobs
  • Stabilizes Prices
  • Less Maintenance
  • Better Health (Less Air pollution)
  • Save money
  • Lower Reliance on Foreign Energy Sources
  • Different formats
  • Still not large enough
  • Depend on weather
  • Low-efficiency
  • Big initial inversion
  • Takes space

Examples of Clean Energy

Nuclear energy, although controversial due to the destructive nature that is normally associated to nuclear power and fear esteeming from memories of nuclear bombings such as the ones in Hiroshima and Nagasaki or the great disaster of Chernobyl’s power plants, is a source of clean energy, and possibly one of the strongest and most reliable ones. (UOM, 2021) Nuclear energy down to its essentials comes from splitting atoms in a reactor to heat water into steam, turn a turbine and generate electricity. The nuclear fuel cycle is the entire process of producing, using, and disposing of uranium fuel. They are capable of producing large amounts of energy without emitting any carbon emissions whatsoever because reactors do not use fossil fuels. These plants must be carefully and well-operated to avoid interruptions and built to withstand extreme weather, capable of supporting the grid during the entire day throughout the whole week. The most important factor to take into account with nuclear energy is its benefits weighed against the operational risks and the challenges of storing spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste in safe places.

Solar: “Solar power is simply usable energy generated from the sun in the form of electric or thermal energy” (Energysage, n.d.).

The photovoltaic (or PV system) process works through the following broad steps:

  • The silicon photovoltaic solar cell absorbs solar radiation (the panel is made by layers of silicon).
  • When the sun’s rays interact with the silicon cell, electrons begin to move, creating a flow of electric current (photovoltaic effect).
  • Wires capture and feed this direct current (DC) electricity to a solar inverter to be converted to alternating current (AC) electricity ()