What Are The Pros Of Alternative Energy?

Reduced Pollution

One of the major benefits of alternative energy is reduced pollution. Unlike traditional fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas, most alternative energy sources produce little to no air or water pollution. They emit far fewer greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide that contribute to climate change. For example, wind and solar power generate electricity without emitting any pollutants. The emissions from geothermal and biomass energy are also minimal compared to fossil fuels. Hydropower may alter waterways, but does not directly pollute the air or water. Overall, switching from conventional energy to renewables like wind, solar, geothermal and biomass can significantly lower emissions of harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases.

Studies show that increased use of clean energy sources could prevent hundreds of thousands of premature deaths over the next few decades by reducing particulate matter and ozone pollution. This cleaner air would lead to considerable public health benefits. The switch to alternative energy would also help mitigate climate change caused by excessive greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels. This in turn reduces risks to public health and the environment associated with rising global temperatures.

In summary, alternative energy results in far less pollution than conventional fossil fuel sources, leading to cleaner air, cleaner water and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. This provides substantial environmental and public health benefits.

Energy Independence

Transitioning to alternative energy sources can significantly reduce a country’s reliance on imported fossil fuels like oil and natural gas. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the United States imported about 9.14 million barrels per day of petroleum from foreign countries in 2019. This reliance on imports leaves the U.S. vulnerable to global supply disruptions and price volatility. Developing domestic renewable energy supplies from wind, solar, biofuels and other sources would allow the country to become more energy independent.

By expanding alternative energy, the U.S. can diversify its energy portfolio with local resources that are not subject to geopolitical tensions. This improves national security by reducing the strategic importance of oil-rich regions and limiting disruption risks. With greater control over its energy supplies, the U.S. economy also becomes more resilient and less exposed to energy price swings caused by foreign oil producers. Additionally, the federal government spends billions annually to maintain a military presence and secure shipping lanes in the Middle East and other unstable regions that produce oil. Pursuing energy independence through domestic alternative energy would allow for a reduced military footprint abroad.

Cost Savings

Alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal can provide long-term cost savings and affordable access to electricity. Once the initial equipment costs are paid off, the “fuel” from these renewable sources is free. There are no recurring costs for the sun, wind, or heat from the earth. This provides stability and predictability for monthly electricity expenses.

Fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas have volatile prices that fluctuate with supply and demand. Over the past decade, the average cost of these conventional energy sources has risen. Alternative energy locks in affordable rates for the lifetime of the equipment. Homeowners can secure lower energy bills for 20-30 years after installing solar panels or geothermal pumps.

Utilities are increasingly required to source renewable energy. As they meet these goals, prices per kilowatt hour supplied to the grid should decrease. Early adopters of personal solar or wind power may benefit the most from rising retail electricity rates. However, all customers ultimately gain from a greater supply of low-cost alternatives.

Job Creation

The transition to alternative energy sources creates jobs in manufacturing, construction, maintenance, research and development, and more. Building wind farms, solar fields, biofuel refineries, and other renewable energy infrastructure requires hiring large numbers of workers. In the United States alone, the renewable energy sector employs over 777,000 people. The solar industry in particular is booming, adding jobs at a rate nearly 17 times faster than the overall economy. Countries investing heavily in renewables see real economic benefits from job creation and the resulting boost to local economies.

Renewable Resources

One of the greatest benefits of alternative energy sources is that they rely on renewable resources that will never run out. Sources like solar, wind, geothermal and biomass will constantly replenish themselves and will always be available, unlike fossil fuels which are finite and will eventually be depleted. Renewable energy sources provide an inexhaustible supply of clean power.

This aspect makes alternative energy extremely sustainable over the long-term. We will never have to worry about renewable resources like the sun, wind or biomass running out in the future. As long as the sun continues to shine, the wind blows, and plants grow, we can continue to harness renewable energy indefinitely. This provides energy security as well as environmental benefits.

Relying on renewable resources for our energy needs is smart long-term planning that will provide sustainable, clean energy far into the future. The inexhaustible nature of these resources ensures that alternative energy will remain viable and plentiful for generations to come.

Flexibility

One of the biggest advantages of alternative energy is flexibility. Unlike traditional power plants that rely on a single energy source like coal or natural gas, alternative energy draws from a variety of sources including wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and more. This variety means that if one energy source is unavailable due to weather, equipment malfunctions or other circumstances, energy can seamlessly be drawn from another source. There is no disruption to the energy supply.

In addition, alternative energy technologies allow for decentralized power production. Rather than relying on huge centralized plants, power can be generated at the point of consumption through on-site wind turbines, solar arrays, geothermal wells, etc. This localized production provides even greater flexibility and security.

Efficiency

Many alternative energy sources like solar and wind power can convert a much larger portion of their energy input into usable electricity than traditional fossil fuels. For example, the latest commercial solar panels have efficiency ratings of 15-22%, meaning they convert that percentage of the sun’s energy into electrical energy. Fossil fuel power plants, on the other hand, only convert about 30-50% of their fuel’s energy into electricity.

This higher efficiency for renewables means less energy is wasted during the electricity generation process. More of the starting energy is translated into usable electricity that powers our homes and businesses. We get more bang for our buck from sources like sunshine and wind.

As technology improves, the efficiency of renewable energy sources is expected to continue increasing. Higher efficiency ratings mean more energy output for less input, saving money and resources. Efficiency gains move us toward greater energy sustainability.

Reliability

Alternative energy sources tend to be extremely reliable, with minimal disruptions. This is because many alternative energy technologies do not rely on variable external factors like the weather.

For example, geothermal energy harnesses the constant temperatures deep below the earth’s surface to generate steady supplies of heat and electricity. Solar panels and wind turbines can experience some variability based on sunny/cloudy days or windspeeds, but combining multiple renewable sources creates a balanced, resilient energy grid.

Fossil fuels like coal and natural gas can have major supply disruptions due to transportation problems, mining accidents, and price volatility. But renewable energy drawn from perpetual natural sources or fuels like bioenergy and hydrogen provide a stable long-term energy solution.

With improved energy storage through batteries and other innovations, renewable energy will only become more reliable over time. The weather-resistant nature of alternative energy gives it a key advantage in stability and resilience compared to conventional power plants.

Technology Improvement Driving Costs Down

One of the major benefits of alternative energy is that the technology is rapidly improving, which drives costs down. As R&D and deployment expands, energy generation from solar, wind, geothermal and other sources becomes more efficient and cost-effective. Manufacturing processes mature and economies of scale further reduce costs.

For example, the average cost to install solar panels has dropped over 70% in the last decade as the technology has improved. Solar cell efficiency continues to increase as new materials and designs are developed. Similar improvements are being made across other alternative energy technologies.

Government investment and policy incentives have accelerated technology development and cost declines. But the momentum is now strong enough that alternative energy can increasingly compete directly with conventional sources even without subsidies in many markets.

Falling costs make alternative energy more financially viable for utilities and consumers alike. As the technologies continue to mature, costs are projected to decrease further, making alternative energy an increasingly attractive option compared to fossil fuels.

Public Support

There is wide approval and demand from the general public for alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal. Surveys consistently show that 70-80% of Americans favor expanding renewable energy production. This public support stems from a variety of factors.

Many people are concerned about climate change and see renewable energy as a key solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The severe weather events and warming temperatures of recent years have underscored the urgency of the climate crisis. Citizens want action, not further delays.

Additionally, renewable energy is seen as better for public health. Unlike fossil fuels, alternative energy sources don’t pollute the air and water. This appeals to those worried about the impacts of pollution on health, especially for children and the elderly.

There is also dissatisfaction with utility companies and the monopoly they hold in many places. People want more choices for where their energy comes from. Local and distributed renewable generation provides options and independence.

The falling costs and improvements in renewable energy technology have boosted public demand. Where once these sources may have been considered expensive or impractical, they are now seen as viable and cost-competitive options ready to meet our energy needs.