What Is Green Energy?

By Author: Prashant Pathak
Total Articles: 23
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‘Green energy’, is a common term in our textbooks. The energy is derived from natural resources with no or least pollution. The energy produced from water, sunlight, and wind are examples of green energy. Green energy is produced in the most eco-friendly ways, the production of green energy happens without the emission of greenhouse gasses.

In this blog, we shall discuss how green energy differs from renewable energy. Sources of green energy, green technologies, and methods of extracting green energy. Apart from this, we shall also talk about the future of green energy and its monetary viability.

How Green Energy is Different from Renewable Energy?

Green energy and renewable energy are often used interchangeably. But there’s a big difference between these two terms.

Talking about renewable energy, it is the type of energy that is renewable. Any form of energy derived from nature can be renewed or replenished by the nature naturally. But not all sources of renewable energy are green.

For example, biomass is considered to be a renewable form of energy but is it really green and clean?

The ...
... production of biomass energy releases toxic gasses into the air. Thus it can be a renewable energy source but can’t be considered in the category of green energy. You wouldn’t consider if fossil fuels or organic waste from sustainable wilds are being used to produce energy, even if they are 100% natural and can be replenished naturally because they still produce pollutants like carbon dioxide.

Again in the case of a hydroelectric dam, the local environment of a place is affected. Now the question is whether the energy generated from a hydroelectric dam can be called green or not?

Sources of Green Energy

Talking about sources of green energy, the most common ones are solar, wind and water also called hydroelectric power generated from tidal energy (from oceans).

These sources are the cleanest forms of renewable energy and thus are considered to be green. The generation of power through wind happens with the establishment of windmills and the generation of power through water happens through a hydroelectric setup that uses tidal power. But solar energy is a source that can generate power both on a small scale and large scale.

1. Wind

Windmills are set up for generating electricity from wind power. But it needs a suitable geographical location. Windmills are set up mostly in hilly areas or on plains near the sea or oceans. A large farm area is needed to set up the wind turbines. The wind turbines are driven by the wind hence the location plays a crucial role.

2. Water

For generating electricity from water in a green way, a hydroelectric setup needs to be set up. While the use of dams is still debated. Tidal power plants are considered to be greener technology.

3. Solar

Solar heaters use sunlight to heat water & even for cooking, it is also used to make electricity with the help of photovoltaic panels. Solar is a 100% green source of energy and it can be installed even at a small scale for example to power houses or just to light gardens. Solar panels are capable to generate electricity for households independently and on the large scale for industrial purposes as well.

Future of Green Energy in India & Worldwide

With the advancement in technology and awareness, people are shifting towards greener sources of energy that are eco-friendly. As government schemes and subsidies are in favor of clean and green energy it can be said that green energy is the future!

Benefits of Green Energy:

- Zero Carbon Footprint
- Zero Pollution
- Instantly replenishable
- 100% Eco-Friendly & Sustainable
- Energy can be generated locally, and impact the environment globally

Monetary Viability of Green Energy

Have you ever tried comparing the cost you pay as an electricity bill and the ROI of investing in installing a solar system? If not check out this article here.

Generally, if green energy cost is compared with the cost of energy generated from fossil fuels you will find it’s not only costing the environmental balance. But the scarcity of fossil fuels is due to higher demands. The cost of fossil fuels has been constantly increasing whereas the cost of green energy has been constantly decreasing. The energy for a farm or a remote location can be locally generated and it promotes independent living. This saves a lot of costs.

Gradually, we are seeing how people are switching to greener options, and how people and industries are going green by installing solar panels and solar systems. People are getting smarter with the green technologies, and are able to save their electricity bills by generating their own electricity.