The Benefits of Renewable Energy
When you hear the term “renewable energy,” what comes to mind? For many, it's rooftop solar panels. For others, it's a rural landscape filled with wind turbines.
While you're likely aware that renewable energy can positively impact the environment, there are several other advantages, too. Here, we outline six advantages of renewable energy.
1. Reliability
Renewable energy sources like wind and solar can actually help to build a more reliable and resilient power mix. Additionally, renewable energy systems tend to be less likely to experience large-scale failure because they're distributed and modular (made up of multiple units of equipment). This means that severe weather in one geographical area or a problem with one piece of equipment won't disrupt service to an entire region.
2. Job Creation
The growing interest in alternative energy has contributed to job growth. In 2017, 500,000 new renewable energy jobs were added. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), that number rose to 11.5 million by 2019. And in 2020 – despite the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic – there were 12 million jobs in renewable energy and its supply chains.
3. Improvements in Public Health
Air and water pollution can affect overall air quality. Replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources helps reduce harmful emissions to improve air and water quality, which can improve public health and lower overall healthcare costs.
4. Economic Benefits
Some local governments collect taxes from renewable energy projects, which can be used to improve public services. New jobs directly created in the renewable energy industry create a ripple effect that benefits other related industries and even entire communities.
5. Energy Independence
Because most renewable energy sources (like wind, sunlight and water) don’t need to be imported, using green energy helps reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign imports, like oil.
6. Abundant Supply
Renewable energy is replenished naturally and relatively quickly. Alternative energy sources such as wind, water, sunlight and geothermal heat could potentially supply the entire country’s energy needs with surplus. And unlike our finite supply of fossil fuels, renewable energy sources are nearly inexhaustible.
IGS believes in the promise and value of renewable energy to protect the sustainability of our world. After all, we only have one planet, so it’s our job to help protect it. Making more responsible energy choices is a great place to start.