Renewable Energy and the Societal Benefits of a Global Power Generation Transition

Renewable energy transition is essential for a sustainable future.

Renewable Energy Implementation Goes Beyond Power Generation and Global Warming  

Power generation around the planet is being converted to renewable energy sources. Electrical energy is a critical element to our daily lives and dependence upon a reliable power grid is increasingly important. There are a variety of ways in which electricity is generated including the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas, nuclear energy, and increasingly renewable energy including solar, wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal.  

With increasing awareness of human impact on the environment; specifically, how fossil fuels contribute to climate change the U.S. and other nations are transitioning to non-greenhouse gas technologies for power generation.  

Renewable Energy Sources

Transitioning from Fossil Fuels to Renewable Energy 

There are many reasons to transition to renewable energy including the almighty dollar. As technological advances continue with wind, solar and other renewable power generation technologies, the potential cost saving may be tremendous. According to Professor Doyne Farmer from the Institute for New Economic Thinking at the Oxford Martin School “continual improvements in renewable technology has meant the cost of solar and wind power has fallen rapidly, at a rate approaching 10% a year.” Scaling up renewable technologies will continue to drive down costs leading to greater savings. In comparison, with over 100-years of data pertaining to fossil fuels production, cost saving improvements are mature thus marginalizing cost reductions over future years.  

Why is Energy Transition Important

Transitioning to renewables and improved energy efficiency is essential to increase economic progress and development in developed and developing countries. In addition, to obtain a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and begin the process of reversing unprecedented weather extremes that lead to population displacements, lost lives, and livelihoods a transition is essential.  

Introducing clean energy solutions provides numerous benefits to hundreds of millions of people in developing countries. Particularly, to populations that lack reliable electrical grid infrastructure. Renewable energy installations lead to improved health care, better education, and affordable broadband which in turn allows for new job creation and economic sustainability. 

Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable energy is power derived from naturally occurring resources such as wind, solar, geothermal, hydropower, ocean waves, biofuels, etc. Each of these energy resources are constantly being replenished and are plentiful.  

In contrast, non-renewable fossil fuels take hundreds of millions of years to form and account for approximately 79% of greenhouse gas emissions. According to the United Nations Climate Action website power generation from renewable resources generates three times more jobs than the fossil fuel industry. 

Benefits of Alternative Energy Generation

The economic, societal, and environmental benefits of pursuing a transition to renewable energy are numerous. Innovative technologies are constantly developing and advancing, improving power generation efficiency, and lending themselves to incorporation into a variety of devices large and small.  

Politically, renewable energy leads to energy independence minimizing supply chain risks. That independence extends to reducing reliance on a country’s power grid and the challenges faced during brown and blackouts. 

Power Grid Distribution

Power generated in excess of demand can be sold back to the utility provider offsetting home and building operating costs. In many instances additional savings result from tax incentives. Lastly, a major benefit of renewable energy is action against a rapidly warming planet and the global consequences resulting from it. 

EcoCentricNow (ECN) Support of Energy Conservation and Waste Disposal Reduction

EcoCentricNow offers a wide selection of state-of-the-art LED property lighting manufactured to provide maximum lumen and CCT selection flexibility while minimizing electricity consumption. LED Lighting is DLC and DLC Premium listed. In addition, ECN sells a selection of renewable energy flashlights and lanterns that incorporate solar and human powered energy generation. In many cases, merchandise is packaged in recycled cardboard boxes to reduce landfill waste.

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