Show Me Science Advanced—Energy: Innovations in Renewables

As scientists, engineers, and technicians work hard to make advances in renewable energy, an increasing number of consumers will come to adopt these emerging technologies, reducing reliance on non-renewable resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas that are expensive to extract and damaging to the environment. This entry in the Show Me Science: Advanced series illustrates how renewable energy will help reduce the carbon footprint and potentially lower the effects of climate change. Renewable energy sources consist of two types: sustainable and naturally renewable. Sustainable sources include solar, wind, hydro, and thermal power. In Boulder, CO, 30% of power is currently coming from hydro power, while in Iceland, some 50% of heat and hot water is derived from geothermal sources. Taking advantage of the sun’s enormous energy, solar panels are now being set up over water in Europe and Japan, as are wind turbines. Apple’s CEO Tim Cook has invested in renewable energy, creating Energy LLC, which hopes to sell solar and wind power directly to consumers (one of the company’s solar projects consists of a large circular ring of solar panels). Naturally renewable sources of energy include biofuels that use plants and wood to produce fuels. The field offers many career opportunities, including materials scientists, environmental engineers, solar photovoltaic technicians, and more. Combining a good overview of innovations in the field together with a survey of related jobs, this is recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (T. Root)