What is Sustainable Energy?
Energy is sustainable when it is generated from energy sources that do not harm the environment and are reusable. Sustainable energy is becoming increasingly important as the fossil fuels on Earth are becoming increasingly depleted. Shifting energy generation from fossil to fully sustainable is also referred to as the energy transition.
How is sustainable energy generated?
There are several ways to generate this energy in an environmentally friendly way. Windmills, solar panels, and hydroelectric power plants are the main sources of sustainable energy generation.
Windmills
Windmills, also known as wind turbines, generate wind energy. The wind makes the blades of the windmill turn. Inside the windmill is a dynamo that converts the rotating movements (i.e., kinetic energy) into electricity.
Solar panels and solar collectors
Another way to generate sustainable energy is by using solar panels and solar collectors. These ensure the generation of solar-based energy. The difference between a solar panel and a solar collector is that a solar panel converts sunlight into electricity and a solar collector converts solar heat into electricity. The electricity generated by solar panels can then be used as energy for a heat pump. This way you can also make your heating more sustainable.
Hydroelectric power stations
Hydroelectric power plants generate water energy. Falling and flowing water turns a turbine. This generates electricity. It is easiest to generate energy from water in mountainous areas. In the Netherlands, for example, it is more difficult to rely on this energy source due to the absence of mountainous areas.