English Section
Publicat de Ovidiu Stefanescu
31 Aug 2015 12:10
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The development of the technologies based on the idea of using natural forces to provide the energy necessary to undertake various human activities began long ago, perhaps even earlier of invention of the first sailboat. Attention from the intensive use of renewable resources was diverted with the start of the industrial revolution, when energy progress was based almost exclusively on solutions which involve burning fossil fuels. However, as electricity consumption ranged on an exponential curve, and production was limited exclusively to hydrocarbons resources to which were added some hydropower and nuclear energy, it became increasingly clear the need of a reconsideration of renewable solutions, which carries a limited impact on the environment (essential feature in a period in which the carbon footprint becomes a vital element in assessing the feasibility of energy solutions). Currently, the idea of limiting the polluting effects of conventional methods of electricity generation enjoys great popularity in business and in the final consumers, and the sustainable development became almost an ethical norm. The attention is focused on two major directions - namely the supply of energy resources with long-term validity, and their environmental effect. Solutions to stimulate the development in the sense have already been identified, the most effective method being constituted by determining a free set price (based on the market economy mechanisms) of carbon dioxide pollution. That system already operates in many countries around the world, the amount of incentives for renewable energy production being variable depending on national legislation and used natural source. Sun, wind, waves, rivers, tides and the heat of radioactive residues found in the earth's crust, plus biomass are abundant resource, unlike fossil, having also owned to regenerate naturally. The biggest challenge that must be overcame by the contemporary society is to identify optimal methods for massive exploitation of other sources of energy.
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