For centuries, humans harnessed the power of natural resources to create energy for homes, workplaces, and transportation. However, with the overdependence on fossil fuels, the planet has been increasingly impacted by pollution and climate change. In recent times, renewable energy sources have emerged, changing the power generation landscape. Here's a detailed look at how power works and how society can power itself into the future using sustainable energy sources and processes.

Energy is fundamental to society as we know it. Ultimately, 'energy' is the capacity to do work and it can be found in many forms. Common examples of energy include electrical, thermal, nuclear, and mechanical. Electrical energy is generated from sources such as coal-fired plants or hydroelectric dams while thermal energy is created by burning fuel like natural gas or oil. Nuclear power plants produce electricity by splitting atoms and harnessing heat released during the process. And mechanical energy is generated through wind turbines, waterwheels, and other forms of kinetic power.

Turbines: Essential to Energy

At the core of every energy supply system are machines such as turbines that convert different sources of energy to electrical power. In conventional power plants, turbines use steam to generate electricity, while in other settings, they may rely on wind, hydro, solar, or geothermal resources. To run effectively, turbines need components such as the GE Mark VIe Turbine Control System. Control systems such as this facilitate processes within turbines via single-board processors with scalable power. They work to safely protect turbines, monitor their performance, and maintain the output of energy.

How Can We Use Sustainable Energy Sources?

Despite some effective machinery being in place to generate power, the transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy still presents significant challenges, including harnessing renewable energy sources efficiently and curbing pollution.

Sustainable energy sources are renewable resources used to generate electricity that have a minimal environmental impact. Examples include solar power, wind power, geothermal energy, tidal waves, and hydroelectricity.

Solar power is a relatively new resource when it comes to energy generation. It works by collecting sunlight and converting it into electricity through photovoltaic (PV) cells or solar thermal systems. PV cells produce direct current while solar thermal systems employ concentrating solar power technologies to generate steam for turbines. Solar energy is considered renewable since the sun is an abundant source of power with no emissions or pollution involved in its use. Additionally, it can be used to fuel homes and businesses alike, making it a viable option for various settings.

Advances in technology have made renewable energy sources increasingly viable and cost-competitive. Among renewable energy sources, solar and wind power play a significant role in reducing carbon emissions and are the fastest-growing sources of electricity worldwide. Worldwide renewable energy capacity reached 1842 GW in 2020, and about 72% came from hydropower, wind, and solar.

The Future of Power

Importantly, steam turbines are critical in power generation and form the backbone of the traditional power sector. In a conventional power plant, fossil fuels like coal and gas are burned to generate steam that powers turbines to produce electrical energy. These methods are highly reliable and efficient, but they generate emissions that cause pollution and climate change.

Moving towards a sustainable energy future requires more research into the creation of efficient and cost-effective renewable energy. One emerging technology with significant potential to create sustainable energy solutions is hydrogen relays. Hydrogen turbines operate by burning hydrogen gas to power turbines to generate electricity. Unlike fossil fuels, they emit only water, making them ideal for a cleaner generation of electricity.

Another promising renewable energy is geothermal energy, which involves tapping into natural hot springs to create electricity. Geothermal energy plants are among the most consistent and reliable sources of renewable energy and can supply energy to large communities. Geothermal power facilities are cost-effective, low-maintenance, and can reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Moreover, as technology advances, energy storage systems such as batteries are improving. They can provide backup power when intermittent power sources like wind and solar are not working as intended. Additionally, they can store energy when the demand is low and provide it when the demand is high.

AX Control

The future of power relies on using existing, well-developed technologies, and harnessing the potential of sustainable sources of energy. Companies such as AX Control are at the forefront of helping industries use the most effective parts to generate energy through automation. Key to this is the team of engineers and specialists who can repair parts, instead of automatically replacing them. Repairing where possible has a positive environmental impact, as does using the most efficient parts to do specific jobs, such as to enable steam and gas turbines to run well. According to the Managing Director of AX Control, James Dodson, industries need to work with the best technology available. "This ultimately means reliability and better productivity, which all companies strive for. Our specialist knowledge in the components we supply means we're confident in our customers experiencing this for their businesses."

In conclusion, the future of power is renewable, and it is an opportunity for new technological advancements and innovation. Fossil fuels have been a significant part of the energy generation process for a long time, and as a result, it's become difficult to suddenly switch to sustainable energy sources. However, technology is making sustainability more viable and accessible, and the transition to renewable energy is underway. The key to powering society into the future lies in developing cost-effective and efficient renewable energy technologies. It will take perseverance and consistent work to improve these renewable energy sources, but it’s a positive move toward a cleaner and more sustainable future. To find out more about how companies such as AX Control support a better future, visit their website.