Knowra Sustainable energy Sustainable energy Sustainable energy is energy produced and used in ways that meet present needs while limiting environmental harm and preserving resources for future generations.
Renewable energy : Energy from sources replenished naturally on human timescales, such as sunlight, wind, and flowing water. Its replenishing sources are a central route to reducing dependence on finite fuels.
Solar power : Electricity or heat generated by converting sunlight into usable energy. Solar installations provide a scalable source with low operating emissions.
Fossil fuel : Coal, petroleum, and natural gas formed from ancient organic matter and burned for energy. Combustion releases greenhouse gases and air pollutants, unlike low-carbon alternatives.
Climate change mitigation : Actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or increase their removal from the atmosphere. Replacing high-emission energy is a major route to limiting climate change.
Intermittency : Variation in electricity generation caused by changing availability of a resource, such as sunlight or wind. Variable output makes balancing supply and demand a central system-design challenge.
Energy efficiency : The ratio of useful output to energy input in a process, device, or system. Using less energy for the same service reduces resource demand and emissions.
Wind power : Electricity generated by converting the motion of air into mechanical or electrical power. Wind turbines supply low-carbon electricity where wind resources are strong.
Nuclear power : Electricity generated from heat released by nuclear fission. It has low operational carbon emissions but raises distinct waste, safety, and cost questions.
Air pollution : Harmful substances in the air that damage human health or ecosystems. Cleaner energy can reduce pollution from combustion, though some technologies have other impacts.
Capacity factor : The ratio of a generator's actual output over time to its maximum possible output. It helps compare how much energy different technologies deliver from installed capacity.
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