The world has a myriad of energy sources. In 2018 fossil fuels, like gas, oil and coal, were responsible for over 81 percent of the energy consumed. Renewables, like solar power, wind power, biomass and hydroelectricity, account for 14 percent. Nuclear energy contributes another 5 percent. Different countries employ different types of energy sources, balancing the needs of the economy with environmental concerns.

Nature is a rich source of energy in a number of forms: sunlight winds, waves ocean and more. When harnessed and converted into more convenient forms of energy, like electricity or heat, these are called primary sources. These sources are non-renewable resources of energy when they are exhausted.

Many fossil fuels as well as some of the other sources of energy that aren’t renewable have been causing environmental harm. For example, mining for oil can strip the planet’s pristine forests. Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) can trigger earthquakes and pollution of water. Carbon dioxide is released when coal is burnt which causes global warming.

Fortunately, a majority of the most promising sources of energy are renewable and sustainable. Hydropower, solar energy and wind power for instance, could produce electricity without having to search for new sources.

Other renewable energy sources are emerging, including waves and https://leonardogiombini.it/2019/02/14/interessante-articolo-sui-biocarburanti/ tidal power. In order to be utilized at large scale, these sources of energy require effective distribution networks. This requires the use non-renewable energy sources to construct these networks. These sources aren’t able to satisfy the majority of our energy demands. However, it’s important to keep in mind that costs for renewable energy equipment have come down significantly over the last few years, and efficiency is increasing rapidly.