Transitioning Away From Hydrocarbons

Hydrogen is produced through biomass, hydro, wind, solar, geothermal, natural gas and more. Utility providers’ biggest challenge with utilizing hydrogen as a renewable alternative is the cost. Cost-competitive transportation fuel cells require additional research. To ensure hydrogen is competitive with conventional fuels, research is focused on improving the lifetime efficiency the production technologies as well as reducing the costs of operations, equipment and maintenance.

Some of the strongest electrical alternatives involve solar power. The sun provides endless energy to the Earth’s surface. All forms of energy on Earth derive from the sun in one way or another. Scientists have discovered several ways to harness solar energy for human use. Solar panels allow for the conversion of sunlight into electrical energy. Solar power development is the fastest-growing renewable energy sector in the U.S.

Recent technological advancements have boosted efficiency and reduced costs, making solar a stronger economic option. Photovoltaic (PV) solar works by using small cells made of semiconductors to convert the sun’s electromagnetic radiation into usable energy. The individual cells connect to create larger units called panels. Multiple solar panels work together to form solar arrays. Arrays feature converters that transform the gathered energy from direct current to alternating current to make it usable.

Thermal solar heat alternatives harness the sun’s energy in a different way than photovoltaic cells. They use the sun’s heat instead of its radiation, converting the heat from sunlight into electricity. The way it works is similar to a wind turbine. Solar thermal generators contain liquid, which heats into pressurized steam that spins a turbine. The spinning generates electricity.

Concentrated solar power (CSP) provides a way to convert solar energy into either power or liquid fuel. It uses energy from the sun to create synthetic gas. It works by using mirrors to concentrate sunlight. The resulting heat drives an engine connected to an electrical power generator.

Fuel cells are like batteries, storing energy for future use. They make solar energy much more reliable. Paired with a solar energy system, they provide steady energy when sunlight is not available. Without fuel cells, solar panel owners have to rely on other backup methods for energy. A common solution is to stay connected to the energy grid.

Fuel cells maximize the positive environmental impacts of solar by utilizing all of the energy panels produce. They also allow for complete independence from the grid, which is important to rural landowners with limited grid access. For those reasons, fuel cells will be an integral part of the renewable energy transition.

It’s also possible to generate electricity from wind. Collecting wind energy is quite straightforward. The wind turns propeller-like blades around a rotor, which spins a generator and creates electricity. Like all types of energy, wind represents a secondary form of solar energy — wind results from the sun heating the Earth’s atmosphere.

Wind energy offers many benefits. It’s inexpensive, especially if onshore, and causes negligible pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, turbines take up limited space, which is one of the main downsides of solar energy. Generating wind power is not without flaws, of course.

Obstacles include transmitting energy from rural sites to cities, noise pollution and harm to birds and bats. Proper placement can help reduce these negative impacts. Overall, wind power is a much cleaner and safer form of energy than fossil fuels are.

One of the oldest sources of power is hydroelectricity, once used to grind grain. It utilizes the power of moving water, working almost the same way wind power does. The force of the water turns the blades of a turbine, which spins a generator and produces electricity. Most hydropower facilities hold water behind dams to release on command, but some use a canal system instead.

Hydropower has a lot of potential in the era of renewable energy sources, although it has its challenges. Dams can impact fish migrations, and the hydropower process can decrease water oxygen levels. In addition, hydropower relies on constant access to water, so droughts are a concern. Despite these obstacles, hydropower is as clean as solar or wind power.

Another alternative energy form is geothermal. It utilizes the hot water beneath the Earth’s surface. Three different methods provide access to geothermal energy:

1. Dry steam: Underground wells retrieve steam from inside the Earth. The steam turns a turbine and generator to create electricity.
2. Flash steam: Flash steam plants access water so hot and pressurized that it flows upwards on its own. As the pressure decreases and water boils, the resulting steam powers a turbine and generator. Leftover water returns to the Earth and makes the system renewable.
3. Binary steam: Binary steam plants use the heat from the water within the Earth to boil a secondary fluid. The water returns to the Earth untouched, which makes it the cleanest of the three methods.

The main obstacle for geothermal energy is its geographic limitations. Only some pockets of water are suitable, and they are generally located along fault lines where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common. Since the viable water pockets are in such volatile regions, harnessing geothermal energy can be risky. Another concern is cost — geothermal equipment is expensive.

Collecting geothermal energy also creates a safety hazard. The water requires reinjecting to keep the pressure within the Earth high enough. Failing to reinject enough water underground could cause massive sinkholes. For those reasons, other alternative energy methods are more prevalent, but further research could help to address these concerns.