Green Energy: what it is and why it matters so much

Green energy is probably a topic that a lot of people talk about, but few people are familiar enough.

Green Energy is the term used to describe energy produced from renewable sources. These are inexhaustible sources, the most conventional examples are the sun and the wind, which regenerate at the same speed as they are used.

Definition of renewable energy

We talk about renewable energy whenever we refer to those forms of energy that derive from sources not subject to exhaustion.

To determine whether or not a resource can meet an end, we refer to the concept of human timescale, an expression used to indicate, in a certain sense, a way to measure the natural passing of events in relation to the human being.

More precisely, we can define green energy as any energy source that regenerates at least at the same speed with which it is used, from sources that can be referred to as ‘green’ both for their inexhaustibility, both because of their relatively minor impact on the environment. By extension, these are all forms of energy generated by sources whose continued use does not affect their use by future generations.

Renewable energy sources are literally out in the open, in the air, in the deep underground and in our oceans. They are part of the physical structure of the planet, and this allows them to be renewed by nature itself, without experiencing any exhaustion.

However, not always using green energy is equivalent to using 100% safe energy for the environment. To give an example, dams are built to accumulate water and exploit its movement to feed turbines, this means that it can alter, or destroy the ecosystem for fish and fauna. Wind turbines, among the most popular types of renewable energy, can also have environmental impacts: noise pollution and visual impact that brings discomfort to the population.

What are the main sources of renewable energy?

Hydropower: as mentioned above, from the potential energy of water, which is transformed into electricity thanks to the complex of equipment formed by turbine, generator etc.

Wind energy: it is the kinetic energy produced by the moving air, that is, by the wind and is based on the exploitation of the “driving force of the wind that triggers the rotation of a paddle system called wind generator producing electricity”.

Micro wind: instead it is characterized by smaller turbines, more suitable for domestic areas such as gardens.

Solar and thermal energy: it is ‘green’ energy generated by solar rays, thanks to photovoltaic panels, which allow you to transform the radiation of solar rays into electricity. Today it is used both at the domestic level, for heating buildings and at the industrial level.

Solar thermal, on the other hand, is a plant used for the production of hot water; it uses solar energy to heat the water by replacing the classic boiler and using a system of operation via coils or vacuum tubes.

Geothermal energy and bioenergy are plants that allow the exploitation of the thermal energy of the subsoil, using the heat of the deepest layers of the earth’s crust for the production of electricity.

As you go down in depth, at temperatures above 150 °C, the “steam produced is conveyed to a turbine power plant where the correct generator is produced electricity“.

Marine energy: is produced by the exploitation of the movement of waves, currents, and tides transforming mechanical energy into electricity.

Green Energy for our future

We often hear that renewable energy can be the salvation for our planet. Why? First of all, the fact that they come from sources that will never be subject to exhaustion means that green energy can be used practically to infinity, without the fear that resources can end. It follows that, as we have said before, the impact on the environment is minor, thus representing a great move to safeguard the planet.

These ‘green’ advantages are complemented by the fact that green energy is representing a new frontier on which to invest in terms of pure employment: it creates more jobs than fossil fuels, and the same quality of work results according to many parameters better.

But the importance of green energy, in a much more practical way, also lies in the fact that it allows those who make extensive use of it, whether it is a company or a private citizen, to save considerably on the variable costs arising from energy consumption.

Renewable energy could provide 100% of Europe’s and North Africa’s energy needs by 2050. Another reason is the improved stability and reliability of the electricity system, which helps people around the world access electricity.

Geothermal design – GHP DESIGN 3D 

GeoStru is active in the field of green energy through GHP DESIGN 3D software and is always available for investment in start-ups or innovative ideas.