Renewable Energy Sources are expanding but still in the most countries the share of clean energy produced is below 10 %. So this means that 90 percent of the energy is non-sustainable.
So here comes the question which sources of renewable energy have the best potential to replace the traditional sources in a really significant amount and what is needed to reach this goal?
We need neither fossil nor nuclear energies but renewable energies and in particular we can look at the geothermal energy of the future!
Geothermal power is energy generated by heat stored beneath the Earth’s surface. Geothermal power supplies 0.416% of the world’s energy, but it could deliver up to 27 times of all the actual energy consumption! Prince Piero Ginori Conti tested the first geothermal power plant on 4 July 1904, at the Larderello dry steam field in Italy. The largest group of geothermal power plants in the world is located in The Geysers, a geothermal field in California. Iceland is a perfect example how to be get energy independent!
In Iceland in the year 2006, 26.5 % of electricity generation in Iceland came from geothermal energy, 73.4 % from hydro power, and 0.1 % from fossil fuels Geothermal Power in Iceland.
Geothermal energy offers a number of advantages over traditional fossil fuel based sources.
From an environmental standpoint, the energy harnessed is clean and safe for the surrounding environment.
It is also sustainable because the hot water used in the geothermal process can be re-injected into the ground to produce more steam.
Geothermal power plants are unaffected by changing weather conditions.
Geothermal power works continually, day and night, providing baseload power.
Geothermal energy is extremely price competitive and reduces reliance on fossil fuels and their inherent price unpredictability.
Geothermal energy can also be sold to outside sources such as neighboring countries or private businesses that require energy.
Geothermal energy offers a degree of scalability: a large geothermal plant can power entire cities while smaller power plants can supply more remote sites such as rural villages.
Some more information:
So what you think? Is geothermal energy source in fact the source that will save us. Do you know any other renewable energy source so sustainable and so powerful? Please comment below!
General, Geothermal Energy | admin | August 8, 2008 
geothermal, Italy, power plant, Renewable Energy Corporation
Renewable energy can replace oil. And it has in some scenarios (there are already examples of carbon neutral homes, cars, and businesses).
The roll out of technology will take time of course- the lengthy pay-back period and initial investment challenges the speed at which we replace oil. However, support is coming in the form of “pay as you save schemes”, grants and subsidies from government backed businesses (such as the Carbon Trust, and Energy Saving Trust).
The technology that is appropriate in any house, businesses, or particular country/region will have to be specific to the climate of course- since solar energy cannot be supported in areas where daylight hours are limited and/or solar strength is weak- at least the payback period and limited production capabilities make such schemes inefficient and unattractive to investors.
The good news comes in the form of the possibilities that are currently available for further renewable energy- we currently have such low saturation and ‘take-up’ of renewable energy technology- leaving huge scope for further production.
Incentives, grants, and support for switching to alternative fuels is encourage-able- long term financial benefits can be sought by consumers and businesses willing to make changes to their homes and/or businesses.
As an energy consultancy (www.amberenergy.net) it is our job to support the change to alternative fuels whilst supporting the current set-up of individuals’ homes and businesses. When considering energy contracts businesses and consumers can choose to support the change to renewable energy by electing a contract/supplier of 100% renewable energy. Alternatively, a contract where some of the energy is from a renewable source may be preferred. This is due to renewable energy currently carrying a premium (when compared to a standard tariff)- so choosing renewable energy is not financially viable unless business/consumer tastes are strong enough or ‘knock-on’ affects (such as positive publicity and brand strengthening) are gained in the decision.
In conclusion then- a long way to go before we can say renewable energy has replaced oil- but we are at least able to say
it can be done.