Energy is the lifeblood driving social development.
With technological innovation and progress, human society has undergone three major energy revolutions, transitioning from high-carbon energy to low-carbon and carbon-free energy.
New energy, also known as non-conventional energy, generally refers to emerging technologies that focus on the systematic development and utilization of renewable energy sources. It encompasses various energy forms beyond conventional energy.
New energy primarily includes solar energy, wind energy, water energy, nuclear energy, geothermal energy, biomass energy, and more.
1. Solar Energy:
Solar energy is a renewable energy source that harnesses the sun's thermal radiation energy, commonly referred to as sunlight. It is used for power generation or as an energy source for water heaters.
Applications: Solar energy can be utilized through two methods: photothermal conversion and photovoltaic conversion. Currently, the main application is solar photovoltaic power generation.
2. Wind Energy:
Wind energy is a converted form of solar energy and refers to the kinetic energy generated by the movement of air on the Earth's surface. It is estimated that approximately 2% of solar energy reaching the Earth is converted into wind energy.
Applications: Wind energy is harnessed in two primary forms: wind power and wind energy generation. Wind power involves converting the kinetic energy of the wind into electrical energy, making it a clean and environmentally friendly renewable energy source.
3. Water Energy:
Water energy is a form of clean energy that encompasses the kinetic energy, potential energy, and pressure energy present in water bodies.
Applications: Water energy, mainly utilized for hydroelectric power generation, is a renewable energy source.
4. Nuclear Energy:
Nuclear energy, or atomic energy, is released from the nucleus of an atom through mass transformation.
Applications: Nuclear energy is a clean, low-carbon, and environmentally friendly source of electricity generation. There are abundant reserves of nuclear energy on the planet. However, challenges remain regarding nuclear waste reprocessing and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
5. Geothermal Energy:
Geothermal energy is the heat energy contained within the Earth, originating from the decay of molten magma and radioactive materials.
It is clean, environmentally friendly, versatile, stable, and recyclable. Unlike wind and solar energy, geothermal energy is not influenced by external factors such as seasons, climate, and day-night changes. Therefore, it represents a realistic and competitive new energy source.
6. Biomass Energy:
Biomass energy refers to the energy contained in organic matter produced by living organisms. It includes forest energy, crop residue, livestock manure, and domestic waste.
Applications: Biomass energy is utilized through direct combustion, biomass gasification, liquid biofuels, biogas, bio-hydrogen production, and biomass power generation.
Biomass energy is the oldest and most direct form of energy utilized by humans, but its utilization currently accounts for less than 1% of total energy consumption.
It offers advantages such as low pollution, wide distribution, and abundance, but it also faces challenges due to dispersed resources and high costs.