Sustainable energy is energy that can fulfill the needs of the current generation as well as future generations. Simply put, if the world adopts sustainable energy 100%, we will be able to operate normally as a society, producing whatever we want, while making sure future generations will also be able to do the same, and not compromise the environment in the meantime. In this guide, I ranked the top 5 sustainable energy sources that are instrumental to a sustainable future.
- Nuclear – Best Overall
- Solar – Most Popular
- Wind – Most Affordable
- Geothermal – Situational
- Hydropower – Can be multipurpose
The world is mostly running on fossil fuel now, but fossil fuels are not sustainable. Their supplies are finite, so we will eventually run out of them. The switch from fossil fuels to renewables is long overdue, and it is a good sign that it is gaining momentum globally.
There are many types of renewable energy sources, and some are better than the rest under different circumstances. Due to wildly different conditions in different parts of the world, a renewable energy source that works well in a country won’t do as well in another. For example, sunlight is abundant near the Equator so Malaysia is perfectly positioned for solar energy but it won’t make much sense in the Faroe Islands.
What are the Top 5 Sustainable Energy Sources?
There are many factors when it comes to choosing the best sustainable energy source for a region, including resource abundance, climate, politics, economy, etc. Instead of relying on only one type of sustainable energy source, we will need as many as possible.
My top picks are Nuclear, Solar, Wind, Geothermal and Hydropower.
1. Nuclear
Best Overall.
Overall, nuclear power is the most reliable sustainable energy source. it is location-independent and can deliver power continuously 24/7 throughout the year on a large scale.
Nuclear power uses much less material to build and operate, compared to other renewables. Human error and natural disasters have caused a few accidents involving nuclear plants and people are skeptical of their safety. However, instead of giving up on nuclear power, we should actually think of better solutions to prevent those accidents.
Pros:
- Location-independent
- Weather-independent
- Time-independent
- Available all year long
- Material efficient
Cons:
- Human error and natural disasters can cause high-profile accidents
- Generates radioactive waste
Notable companies:
2. Solar
Most Popular.
Solar power is almost like the poster child when it comes to carbon-free energy source. This is because sunlight is virtually infinite. Elon Musk famously said that a 10,000 square mile solar farm in the desert could power the entire US. The efficiency of solar power is low, and it is not available after sunset. Despite these downsides, solar power is no doubt of the most important pieces in the world’s quest to sustainable energy.
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Scale is highly flexible
- Can be portable
- Does not generate waste
Cons:
- Location-dependent
- Time-dependent
- Weather-dependent
- Low efficiency
Notable companies:
3. Wind
Most Affordable.
Generally, wind is available all over the world. However, wind strength can vary wildly throughout the day depending on the weather. Therefore, it makes more sense to install wind turbines offshore, where the wind blows more steadily so intermittency is less of an issue.
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Cheap
- Scale is highly flexible
- Can be portable
- Does not generate waste
Cons:
- Location-dependent
- Weather-dependent
Notable companies:
4. Geothermal
Highly situational.
To utilize geothermal energy, we pump water into the deep underground where it absorbs heat, and then we use it to turn a turbine to generate electricity. This energy source is useful in places where there are a lot of geothermal activities, usually near volcanoes.
Pros:
- Does not generate waste
Cons:
- Location-dependent
- Low energy density
Notable companies:
5. Hydropower
Can be multipurpose.
Harnessing hydropower involves building dams to capture the kinetic energy of water to turn turbines to generate electricity. The Three Gorges Dam in China is one of the greatest engineering marvels in the world.
Pros:
- Weather-independent
- Time-independent
- Relatively cheap
- Can be multipurpose
Cons:
- Need to cut down forests
Notable companies:
Summary
There is no single magic bullet. We have to use as many sources of renewable energy as possible in places where they are most cost-effective and efficient.
