What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of Power Generation

Some energy sources are cleaner than others. However, all of them have an impact on the environment. You will be surprised to see that, during the manufacturing of parts, some green technologies may pollute and increase the greenhouse effect more than traditional energy sources.

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This means that we need to invest in the least polluting technologies, both during the manufacturing of parts and operation, and combine them with technologies that, for example, capture CO2 from the environment and/or emission source. Technologies that are clean as they operate but have a great impact on the environment when they are manufactured (especially regarding emission of potent greenhouse gases) need more research before being widely adopted.

In addition, a thorough analysis of what our planet will look like after the full adoption of these technologies is of utmost importance so future generations are not left in a deadlock.

Below is a list of some of the pros and cons of different types of energy.

1. Biofuel Energy

Pros:

• Made from different sources (ethanol, biodiesel, biomass, wood chips, municipal waste, among others)
• Pollute less than fossil fuels during burning
• Cheaper to produce than fossil fuels
• Renewable energy source
• Can be produced by any country

Cons:

• Emissions include CO2, CO, and sulfur.
• Biodiesel creates more nitrogen oxide than diesel from petroleum
• Ashes from biofuels may contain harmful metals, such as cadmium and lead
• A great amount of energy and water is necessary to grow crops, produce fertilizers and pesticides, and transform plants into biofuel.
• Less efficient than fossil fuels
• A great amount of the energy used to produce biofuels comes from fossil fuels
• Although they have less carbon footprint, biofuels increase footprint through cultivation and harvest of crop, in addition to the destruction of forests for crop plantation
• Currently, production costs are more than that of fossil fuel

2. Coal Energy

Pros:

• It is abundant and inexpensive
• “Clean coal” technology can remove harmful material before it reaches the environment

Cons:

• There is impact on environment
• Can potentially pollute the air, soil, and water bodies
• The burning of coal emits CO2, SO2, toxic heavy metals, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury
• “Clean Coal” involves costs
• Coal source is finite
• Byproducts of coal mining include arsenic, SO2, selenium, and mercury

3. Geothermal Energy

Pros:

• Renewable resource
• Creates smaller amounts of CO2 and sulfur components than fossil fuels
• Great for heating and cooling
• Its use does not burn fuels
• Has small footprint on land
• Reliable and predictable source of energy

Cons:

• In extreme cases geothermal power plants may cause earthquakes
• Heavy upfront costs
• Sustainable only if reservoirs are properly managed

4. Hydropower

Pros:

• Does not pollute water or air
• Renewable, reliable, flexible

Cons:

• Forces relocation of people and animals
• May change the temperature and flow of water
• May cause low level of dissolved oxygen in water
• Disturb river habitats and fish populations
• May create methane
• Expensive
• Affected by droughts

5. Petroleum Energy

Pros:

• Mature technology
• Reliable

Cons:

• Drilling operation disrupts wildlife habitat
• Impacts the landscape through the removal of vegetation and increase of erosion, which leads to landslides and floods
• Emits CO2, CO,and other air pollutants
• Methane is produced during fracking
• Oil spills, urban runoffs, natural seeps have an impact on animals
• Pollutes water
• Improper disposal of oils
• Non-renewable

6. Solar Energy

Pros:

• Abundant, renewable, and sustainable source
• Does not pollute the air or water
• Available worldwide
• Silent
• Low maintenance

Cons:

• High upfront investment
• Intermittent
• Solar panel production emits hexafluoroethane (C2F6), nitrogen trifluoride(NF3) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), which are very potent greenhouse gases (based on a 100-year time horizon, their ability to trap extra heat in the atmosphere over time is about 12,200; 17,200; and 22,800 times more than that of CO2, respectively) [1]
• Certain solar cells require expensive and rare materials, such as copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) and cadmium telluride (CdTe)
• Requires large space

7. Nuclear Energy

Pros:

• Insignificant carbon emissions
• More efficient and reliable than fossil fuel
• Low operating cost

Cons:

• High environmental impact
• Generates radioactive waste
• Nuclear accidents can pose serious health effects
• High startup costs
• Uranium is a finite, non-renewable resource
• Target for terrorist activities
• Use high amounts of water for production of steam and system cooling
• Wastewater from power plants may contain pollutants

8. Wind Energy

Pros:

• Clean energy source
• Does not pollute air or water
• Renewable and sustainable energy
• Fuel is free and available worldwide
• Produces negligible air or water pollution. Turbine manufacturing and installation are the only process steps that emit greenhouse gases
• Space efficient
• Low operating costs
• Great potential for powering homes

Cons:

• Intermittent and unpredictable
• May result in death of bats and birds
• High upfront investment
• Noise and visual pollution
• Biological impacts

9. Tidal Energy

Pros:

• Does not emit greenhouse gases
• Renewable
• Predictable
• Effective even at low speeds
• Long life span
• Serves as coastal protection against dangerous tides generated during storms

Cons:

• Environmental effects potentially similar to those of hydroelectric dams
• Intermittent source of energy (~10 h/day)
• May disturb natural movement/migration of fish
• It is expensive and not cost-effective
• Needs to be close to the shore
• It is a new technology and requires more research and a large amount of funding
• Currently cannot compete with fossil fuel energy

10a. Hydrogen Energy from Steam Methane Reforming

Pros:

• Cheaper than hydrogen energy from electrolysis

Cons:

• Emits CO2, NO2, and SO2, which pollute the air
• Methane may leak to the atmosphere, leading to higher greenhouse effect than when CO2 is used
• Less efficient than burning methane

10b. Hydrogen Energy from Electrolysis

Pros:

• Low carbon technology if the electricity for electrolysis comes from renewable sources with low CO2 emission

Cons:

• Less efficient than batteries
• High carbon technology if the electricity for electrolysis comes from fossil fuels
• Fuel cells efficiency is 40% - 60%

Sources:

Renewable energy has multiple advantages over fossil fuels. Here are some of the top benefits of using an alternative energy source:

• Renewable energy won’t run out.

• Renewable energy has lower maintenance requirements.

• Renewables save money.

• Renewable energy has numerous environmental benefits.

• Renewables lower reliance on foreign energy sources.

• Renewable energy leads to cleaner water and air.

• Renewable energy creates jobs.

• Renewable energy can cut down on waste.

1. Renewable energy won’t run out

Renewable energy technologies use resources straight from the environment to generate power. These energy sources include sunshine, wind, tides, and biomass. Renewable resources won’t run out, which cannot be said for many types of fossil fuels – as we use fossil fuel resources, they will be increasingly difficult to obtain, likely driving up both the cost and environmental impact of extraction.

2. Maintenance requirements are lower for renewable energy

Renewable energy systems usually require less overall maintenance than generators that use traditional fuel sources. This is because generating technology like solar panels and wind turbines either have few or no moving parts and don’t rely on flammable, combustible fuel sources to operate. Fewer maintenance requirements translate to more time and money saved.

3. Renewables save money

Using renewable energy can help you save money long term. Not only will you save on maintenance costs but also on operating costs. You don't have to pay to refuel when you’re using a technology that generates power from the sun, wind, steam, or natural processes. The amount of money you will save using renewable energy can vary depending on several factors, including the technology itself. In most cases, transitioning to renewable energy means anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars in savings—find out how much you can save by switching to solar energy.

4. Renewable energy has numerous environmental benefits

Renewable energy generation sources lead to lower greenhouse gas emissions than traditional fuel sources like natural gas. This means a smaller carbon footprint and an overall positive impact on the natural environment. During the combustion process, fossil fuels emit high amounts of greenhouse gases, which have been proven to exacerbate climate change, which in turn causes rising global temperatures and higher frequencies of extreme weather events.

The use of fossil fuels emits greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants that lead to respiratory and cardiac health issues. With renewable energy, you’re helping decrease these pollutants' prevalence and contributing to a healthier atmosphere.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Power Generation. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

5. Renewables lower reliance on foreign energy sources

With renewable energy technologies, you can produce energy locally. The higher the amount of our energy use is renewable, the less we’ll rely on imported energy, and the more we’ll contribute to U.S. energy independence. Renewable energy sources can help us minimize the geo-political risks associated with fossil fuels, from trade disputes to political instability to pricing wars, which are often rooted in access to oil.

6. Renewable energy leads to cleaner water and air

When you burn fossil fuels to generate electricity, it contaminates the air and water we use. For example, coal power stations release high volumes of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and harmful toxins like mercury, lead, and sulfur dioxide. Health problems from ingesting these elements can be dangerous and even fatal. Investing in renewable energy is a great way to work against these risks, as renewables have a far lower negative impact on our air and water. 

The use of fossil fuels emits greenhouse gases and other harmful pollutants that lead to respiratory and cardiac health issues. With renewable energy, you’re helping decrease these pollutants' prevalence and contributing to a healthier environment.

7. Renewable energy creates new jobs 

While the U.S. shifts its focus to combat global warming, we’re setting ambitious carbon-reduction goals that require labor to get the job done. Today, the renewable energy sector employs three times as many people as fossil fuels in the U.S. That number is expected to rise over the next few years—and as a plus, these jobs tend to pay above average wages, making it a desirable career option and an overall economic boom. 

8. Renewable energy can help solve our waste problem

Specifically, biomass energy can offer a significant benefit in this way. Biomass generators consume used organic products like vegetable oil, corn and soybean byproducts, and even algae to generate energy. Because of this, using biomass as an energy source can reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfills, which helps cut down on carbon emissions and environmental contamination.

Renewable energy has many benefits, but it’s not always sunny when it comes to renewable energy. Here are some cons of renewable energy when compared to traditional fuel sources:

• Renewable energy has high upfront costs.

• Renewable energy is intermittent.

• Renewables have storage capabilities.

• Renewable energy sources have geographic limitations.

• Renewables aren’t always 100% carbon-free.

1. Higher upfront cost

While you can save money using renewable energy, the technologies are typically more expensive upfront than traditional energy generators. To combat this, financial incentives such as tax credits and rebates are available to help alleviate your initial costs of renewable technology.

2. Intermittency

Though renewable energy resources are available around the world, many of these resources aren’t available 24/7, year-round. Some days may be windier than others, the sun doesn’t shine at night, and droughts may occur for periods. Unpredictable weather events can disrupt these technologies, and the amount of energy we can get from renewable power sources can be inconsistent. Fossil fuels are not intermittent, and power plants can be turned on or off at any time to provide an energy supply. Wondering if you should make the switch to renewables? Find out if an energy source like solar power is a good fit for you. 

3. Storage capabilities

Because of the intermittency of some renewable energy sources, there’s a high need for energy storage. Storage technologies are available but can be expensive, especially for large-scale renewable energy plants. It’s worth noting that energy storage capacity is growing as the technology progresses, and batteries are becoming more affordable as time passes.

4. Geographic limitations

The United States has a diverse geography with varying climates, topographies, vegetation, etc. This creates a beautiful melting pot of landscapes but also means that some geographies are more suitable for renewable technologies than others. For example, a large property in a rural area with open space may be an excellent place for a residential wind farm or a large-scale solar farm. At the same time, a townhome in a city covered in shade from taller buildings wouldn’t be able to reap the benefits of either technology. There are other options if your property isn’t suitable for a personal renewable energy technology. If you’re interested in solar but don’t have a sunny property, you can often still benefit from renewable energy by purchasing green power or enrolling in a community solar option.

5. Not 100% carbon-free

Although solar panels and other forms of renewable energy drastically reduce carbon emissions, these resources aren’t always completely clean. The manufacturing, transportation, and installation of renewable energy, like wind turbines, can create a carbon footprint since they’re usually produced in factories powered by fossil fuels —not to mention the diesel and gasoline needed to fuel the transport trucks. As the U.S. becomes more and more electrified – from solar panels on factories to electric transport trucks – carbon emissions associated with solar will continue to decrease.

6. Supply chain constraints

Renewables must have an effective distribution network created to transfer the energy where it’s needed on a large scale. These networks need non-renewable fuels to be generated, which offsets the benefits of renewable energy for a bit until it’s paid back. Additionally, politics can play a factor in installing renewable energy if it’s not a priority among local governments.

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