As technology advances, so does the need for power. The human race is almost entirely dependent on a steady supply of it. Power generation technology has so far been able to keep up with the ever-increasing demand. However, you should not be completely reliant on others for your energy needs.
What Actually is Power?
Power can simply be called energy. Broadly speaking, power is the ability or capacity of something to perform work. In the contemporary world, no matter where you look, you will see its effects. From a small cellphone to something as large as an orbiting satellite, power is the driving force behind their functionality.
The need for power is ever-increasing. In compliance with that, energy sources and related technology have kept up their pace. In the past, power generation was quite linear, and so much of it was lost due to inefficiency. Although this has improved recently, it will be decades before we can actually achieve 100% efficiency.
What Can You Do?
How much are you actually relying on power? If you look around and pay close attention, you will be surprised to find that almost every aspect of life needs some sort of energy to run. The lights in your house, the printer in your office, the elevator in your building are just a few examples. At this point, it is too late for us to imagine a world without power.
Over-reliance on anything is never a good idea. If the power goes out in your home or office, what do you do? How long can you wait for the authorities to restore everything before it starts to affect your life? If your concern has peaked, then you should consider investing in a generator.
Having control over your power needs can help you out in the tightest of situations. A generator can provide the necessary power long enough for the grid to come back online.
It will ensure your life remains unaffected by providing instant energy. Whether you are at home, office, or running a factory, a generator can be your one-stop solution. Visit ablesales.com.au if you are looking to invest in a reliable generator and ensure your self-sufficiency.
Power Production
Power production is a complicated subject matter as there are many layers to it. In 2016, a total of 25,082 Terawatt-hour electricity was produced (not including personal power sources like generators). Natural sources remain the top provider for power production to this day.
Coal alone provided 41% energy for all the electricity produced in 2016, while natural gas clocked in at 22%. Global consumption is increasing daily, and it is the driving force behind the advent of new power production technologies.
Types of Power Sources
Power sources can be broadly categorized into two types: renewable and non-renewable. Both types have their pros and cons.
1. Non-Renewable Sources
Renewable sources include coal, oil, natural gas, etc. These are the primary sources of energy and are temporary solutions. Nuclear energy deserves a special mention here as it is an excellent long-term non-renewable source but is extremely expensive to maintain.
The environmental impact of non-renewable energy is harmful and is partially responsible for climate change. Usually, chemical energy from such sources is converted into heat and transformed into power for consumption.
2. Renewable Sources
Any source of power that is technically infinite in supply can be classified as renewable. Wind, water, solar, etc. can all be excellent energy sources. Their impact on the environment is negligible as nothing is being burned to sustain their production. They are initially more expensive to set but pay off significantly more in the long run. More and more nations are shifting toward renewable energy.
The shift in Power Sources
The world is running out of its deposits of natural resources. There may be more waiting to be found underneath the crust, but sometimes they are buried too deep. Burning fossil fuels for power has severe environmental consequences as well.
Many countries are shifting gradually towards renewable sources of energy. Wind and solar farms and hydroelectric power plants are getting more and more popular each day. There is a huge amount of power that can be produced here. It is cleaner and much more efficient than non-renewable sources. There are nations that are seeking to be entirely dependent on renewable power sources in the near future.
What Does the Future Hold?
The current technology of power sources is still in the early stages. Whether it be renewable or non-renewable, there is potential to obtain much more power. Humans are still yet to achieve 100% efficiency in this sector. The Dyson Sphere comes to mind when thinking of total efficiency. It is a sphere built around a nearby star (in our case, the sun) to harness all the energy radiating from it. It may sound ludicrous at first, but theoretically, it’s possible. If constructed, it will solve the power crisis permanently.
The Kardashev scale is a popular concept proposed by Nikolai Kardashev, which differentiates civilizations based on their consumption of energy or the need for power. The higher the need and efficiency, the higher the type on the scale.
There are three types of civilizations according to the concept. Humans are not even type 1 due to the low output efficiency of power sources. However, it is theorized that we will achieve type 1 status in the next 100 to 200 years. It will be millions of years before humans are advanced enough to be a type 3 civilization.
The need for power is not going to slow down ever. Technology has so far kept pace with this ever increasing need and will probably continue to do so. You should not be completely dependent on the grid for power. Life can come to a screeching halt without it.
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