Over the past ten years, the energy sector has seen dramatic changes. From the rise of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the need for utility providers to reshape their services, new technologies have arisen.
Energy technology continues to evolve and as we move into the future, our energy sources are going to become more abundant, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly.
We will see a decrease in our reliance on fossil fuels, such as oil and coal. The rise of renewable energy sources is a huge step forward for the future of energy.
What Is Changing In Energy?
It’s no secret that the energy sector is undergoing a complete transformation. We’re seeing a shift away from the use of fossil fuels and towards the use of renewable energy sources.
By 2022, the world is expected to rely on renewable energy sources for more than half of its total energy consumption. This is a huge step forward. The main reason for this is the sheer cost of traditional energy sources, such as oil and coal.
These fossil fuels are more expensive than they were just a few years ago. We’re already seeing the results of this. In 2018, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released a report that projected that renewable energy sources would account for 40% of the global energy supply by 2040.
This shift is happening all over the world, and it’s set to continue in the coming years.
Renewable Energy Technology Trends 2022
Renewable energy is the use of energy from naturally occurring processes. This includes solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, biofuels, etc.
So, let’s take a look at what could be the best energy source for the future and how it is going to change our lives:
Solar Energy
Solar energy is the cleanest and most sustainable form of energy. It is generated by the sun’s rays, so it does not produce any harmful emissions. Because it is renewable, it can provide us with a long-lasting and constant source of power.
It is also one of the cheapest forms of energy because it requires no fuel, and it is available 24/7.
There are several different types of solar energy, including:
Concentrated solar power (CSP): It uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a small area to generate heat. The concentrated heat creates steam that drives turbines to create electricity. CSP is mostly used for large-scale projects.
Thermal solar: This type of solar uses heat to create steam. The steam then turns a turbine to create electricity. Thermal solar is also used for large-scale projects.
PV solar: Photovoltaic solar is the process of converting sunlight directly into electricity. PV solar is most commonly used for small-scale projects.
Innovations like Blue raven solar are emerging, and solar energy is becoming more consumer-friendly day by day. Now anyone can benefit from the sunlight and produce energy for their usage.
Wind Power
In the last decade, wind turbines have come a long way, and are now able to generate more power than coal-powered plants.
Wind turbines are getting bigger, too. The largest turbine currently installed is the Enercon E-70, which can produce up to 25 megawatts of power. This is enough to power over 13,000 homes.
Wind energy is a great source of renewable energy, but the world’s biggest problem is its intermittency. This is where battery technology comes in. Batteries can store large amounts of electricity so that we can use it when it’s available, and release it when it’s not.
With this, we can use wind power to power homes, businesses, and industries.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal is the use of underground heat to produce electricity. It uses a technology called ground-source heat pumps. These are made up of a geothermal well, a pump, and a heat exchanger.
Geothermal heat pumps are usually used to warm or cool a home, although they can also be used for industrial purposes.
They are very efficient, and because they don’t require fuel, they don’t pollute. They also have a longer lifespan than other forms of heat pumps.
According to the US Department of Energy, geothermal energy is estimated to produce up to 25% of the world’s total energy by 2050.
This will be particularly beneficial in regions with volcanic activity, in many parts of the United States, including California, Nevada, and Hawaii.
Hydrogen
As a fuel source, hydrogen is clean and environmentally friendly. As a power source, it is renewable and sustainable. It is the most abundant element on Earth, and it is the only element that can be used to produce energy and generate electricity.
Hydrogen is clean, green, and a potential fuel source for the future. A hydrogen fuel cell is a device that uses electrolysis to convert hydrogen into electricity. Hydrogen can be used for powering vehicles and buildings, heating, cooling, and powering homes and industries.
Biofuels
Another type of renewable energy is biofuel. Biofuels are made from plants and animals. This is a sustainable form of energy that can be used for both transport and domestic purposes.
Biofuel has been around for many years, but it has only recently become a viable option for the general public.
The Bottom Line
The future of energy is here and it’s going to be a wild ride. We are in the midst of an energy revolution. As we explore what’s new in energy technology for 2022, we see that the energy landscape is evolving rapidly.
It’s no longer just about oil and gas. It’s about solar, wind, battery storage, electric vehicles, and much more. The energy industry is undergoing a massive transformation.
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