Types of energy sources
There are different types of energy sources that we use to run our day to day activities, and these energy sources can either be classified as renewable and non-renewable energy. The most commonly used renewable and non-renewable energy is nuclear and geothermal, respectively.
Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is a renewable energy that is
form of energy conversion in which heat energy from within Earth is captured and harnessed for electrical power generation, space heating and cooling, and various direct uses.
Advantages
1.Environmental friendly. Geothermal energy is more environmentally friendly than conventional fuel sources such as coal and other fossil fuels. Besides, the carbon footprint of a geothermal power plant is low. While there is some pollution associated with geothermal energy, this is relatively minimal when compared to fossil fuels.
2.Stable.Compared to other renewable energy such as wind, solar, and biomass, geothermal energy is reliable as it is exceptionally constant as it does not depend on wind nor sun and available all year.
Disadvantages
1.Environmental side effects. Although geothermal energy does not typically release greenhouse gases, there are many of these gases stored under the Earth’s surface, which are released into the atmosphere during digging eg, hydrogen sulfide, methane, etc. While these gases are also released into the atmosphere naturally, the rate increases near geothermal plants. However, these gas emissions are still far lower than those associated with fossil fuels.
2Location restriction.This the most significant single disadvantage of geothermal energy in that it is location-specific. Geothermal plants need to be built in places where the energy is accessible, which means that some areas are not able to exploit this resource. Of course, this is not a problem if you live in a place where geothermal energy is readily accessible, such as Iceland. Again there is also the possibility of depletion of the geothermal.
Nuclear energy
Nuclear energy, also called atomic energy, the energy that is released in significant amounts in processes that affect atomic nuclei, the dense cores of atoms. All forms of energy released in the course of nuclear fission or nuclear fusion.
Advantages
1Provides a large capacity of energy.It is estimated the amount of energy released in a nuclear fission reaction is ten million times greater than the amount released in burning a fossil fuel atom (e.g., oil and gas). Therefore, the amount of fuel required in a nuclear power plant is much smaller compared to those of other types of power plants. Eg, 1kg of4% enriched fuel-grade uranium is equivalent to 1ootons of high-grade coal, meaning it can also replace 6 tons of oil consumption.
2.Thorium.Reports show that with the yearly fuel consumption of today’s nuclear power plants, we have enough uranium for 80 years. It is possible to fuel nuclear power plants with other fuel types than uranium. Thorium, which also is a greener alternative, has lately been given an increased amount of attention. China, Russia, and India have already planned to start using thorium to fuel their reactors in the near future.
Disadvantages
1.The threat of accidents. History shows that we can never really protect us 100% against these disasters. Accidents do happen eg, Chernobyl accident, which claimed atleast 30000 lives and the radiation aftermath let to more than 2.5 million Ukrainians struggling with health problems.
2.Radioactive waste. As much as it produces clean energy, however, the processes in the nuclear fuel chain such as mining, enrichment, and waste management do provide radioactive wast that is lethal and hazardous to the environment. In the United States, losses that are immediately associated with the accommodation of nuclear waste materials are estimated to be a minimum of $38 billion. Politico reports that the expenses could be as high as $65 billion.
Conclusion
All the energy we use, whether renewable or non-renewable, has its pros and cons.when choosing the most effective energy source to use, you need to consider the advantages and disadvantages in terms of environmental, economic, and social impact, not forgetting the efficiency of the energy. The most powerful energy is one with fewer disadvantages and more advantages. Considering this, nuclear is most effective, considering its vast benefits, and it is the most efficient energy source compared to the others.
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