With environmental concerns on the rise, technology is playing an increasingly significant role in creating a greener future. It helps reduce emissions, enhance efficiency and maximize economic and environmental performance.
Green technologies range from user-friendly devices like programmable thermostats and LED bulbs to more expensive wind turbines and solar panels. The key is finding sustainable alternatives that work for your business or home.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy refers to any form of power generated from natural resources, such as solar and wind power, water movement, or geothermal heat.
Renewable sources replenish faster than they are consumed, making them less environmentally harmful than non-renewable resources such as coal or oil. Burning non-renewable fuels creates significant carbon emissions which contribute to global climate change.
Development of renewables necessitates careful planning and investment, but the rewards can be plentiful. According to a 2009 UCS analysis, an ambitious 25 percent national renewable electricity standard by 2025 would generate $263.4 billion in new capital investment for renewable technologies, $13.5 billion in landowner income from biomass production or wind land lease payments, as well as $11.5 billion in additional property tax revenue for local communities [4].
Renewable energy is an integral component in our push towards creating a greener future. It offers numerous advantages, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy costs.
Electric Vehicles
As we strive towards 100% clean energy, technology is playing an increasingly important role in creating a greener future. From solar panels in the sky to smart heating controls inside buildings, technological advancements are cutting down on energy consumption, cutting carbon emissions and increasing productivity – all while helping us meet our sustainability targets.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are the fastest-growing segment of the transportation market and have become increasingly popular. EVs come in various forms, such as battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles.
Modern electric vehicle models boast advanced battery technology that can store more electricity for longer periods of time and has a low self-discharge rate. This guarantees that an EV won’t lose charge even if left parked in its garage for several days.
Carbon Capture and Storage
Carbon capture and storage technologies are essential tools in creating a greener future. They reduce emissions caused by fossil fuel combustion by capturing CO2 released into the air and storing it underground.
At present, this technology is most suitable for emissions from large point sources such as power plants and industrial facilities. Furthermore, it can be utilized to repurpose existing carbon dioxide to generate clean energy from within a given ecosystem.
For instance, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) has been using captured CO2 to increase oil production in active fields for decades. Unfortunately, EOR is an expensive endeavor requiring large amounts of carbon-free electricity in order to make it work.
CCS is becoming more attractive due to rising carbon prices and tax breaks in Europe and the United States, as well as national net-zero energy targets. When combined with a growing urgency to reduce global emissions, it could be the solution to keeping Earth’s temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius from preindustrial levels.
Smart Grid
The smart grid is an advanced power generation, transmission and distribution system designed to automate energy management. It also assists in integrating renewable sources like solar, wind and hydro into the electricity mix.
Consumers are provided with real-time information about their energy use and utility companies are encouraged to reduce outages. Furthermore, people can save money by selecting when to purchase electricity at the most advantageous price.
Smart grids can detect when their system is overloaded and automatically reroute power to prevent outages. Furthermore, these networks tend to be more resilient than traditional ones.
The smart grid can be a transformative force in electric power, especially for climate-friendly futures. It efficiently accommodates distributed sources, reduces energy costs and GHG emissions, and allows new technologies that promote sustainable living.
