In today’s world, energy consumption increases by the minute. New technology and equipment are required in all aspects of our lives. Our population is also growing which is increasing the need for energy. What are the different sources of energy and which one is the most efficient?

Human beings have been using fossil fuels as the main energy source for a few centuries now, especially in the past couple of decades. But this source is finite. The planet is going to run out of it soon and it is of utmost importance now to make a shift to other sources of energy before it is too late. On top of that, the burning of the fossil fuels for energy is the main contributor to the rapidly rising level of carbon dioxide that is driving the climate change. As the burning of fossil fuel increases, the climatic condition will change and increase the temperature. Fossil fuel extraction, processing, and burning can have negative health effects on all living beings on Earth. Some of the safe and renewable sources of energy that we can harness are solar, wind, tidal and hydroelectric.

• Solar Energy

Solar energy is generated by harnessing the rays of the sun. Generating solar energy does not cause pollution and is efficient for both residential and commercial use. Maintaining solar panels is easy. The disadvantage of solar energy is that it can be generated effectively only in places that get large amounts of sunshine. If the residence or commercial establishment is in a location that gets an abundance of sunlight, a solar company will install panels to help continuous and efficient solar power generation.

• Wind Energy

Wind energy is generated using wind turbines. The energy generated by the turbines provides large amounts of energy to homes and commercial establishments. Installing a turbine and getting it up and running is a comparatively easy and inexpensive process. Wind energy is weather dependent. Winds are not reliable, and one cannot guarantee that the turbines can generate enough power at a given time. They can work only in a location where there is sufficient wind speed and it will only be worth the space and investment if the location has good weather throughout the year.

• Tidal Energy

Tidal energy is a renewable form of energy generated from the movement of tides in the ocean. It is a safe form of energy that does not emit harmful gases. Tidal power plants are long lasting and generate large amounts of energy. Building tidal power plants, however, is expensive and it has to be constructed near land. Additionally, tidal power plants manipulate the movement of the ocean and as a result harm the living organisms in the ocean.

• Hydroelectric

Hydroelectricity is generated from dams built on rivers that generate power using the flow of water. Transmission lines transport the generated electricity to give power to houses and commercial establishments. Hydroelectric energy is inexpensive, renewable and efficient.

So, which of these is the most efficient renewable source of energy? Some would argue that it is solar, followed by wind. Although this is true, governments and policy makers need to make sure all renewable sources are installed in suitable locations to maximize the output from the sources. For instance, solar panels set up in places that receive sunlight, whereas wind turbines can be installed in areas that have lesser sunlight but more wind speeds, and tidal plants where the water pressure is high. With these strategies, we can completely shift from harmful fossil fuels to a sustainable future.