How can technology change renewable energy? | by Rishit

As humans, we rely heavily on finite resources like fossil fuels for everyday activities like commuting to work, cooking, and powering our homes. Currently, non-renewable energy sources provide approximately 80% of the world’s energy. Without these resources, our lifestyle would be unsustainable, although they will eventually run out, showing how important it is to switch to renewable energy.

Having lived in both Malaysia, a country heavily dependent on fossil fuels, and Switzerland, which has one of the lowest rates of fossil fuel consumption, I became interested in the use of renewable energy. I have observed significant differences in waste management and energy production in these countries. In Switzerland, households sort waste into categories such as paper, cardboard, glass, metal, PET plastic bottles, batteries, organic waste and general waste, and then take it to public collection points. However, waste separation in Malaysia is not widely practiced and most waste is collected as mixed garbage, limiting the positive impact of recycling. Thanks to a better recycling system in Switzerland, more non-renewable energy is saved. I believe that recycling practices in Switzerland are very effective, and by adopting a similar approach around the world, we can significantly improve waste management systems and contribute to a more sustainable future for our planet

Renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric power plants and solar panels are increasingly common in Switzerland. One of the reasons Switzerland can invest in many renewable energy sources is its wealth. While it would be ideal if other countries invested as much in renewable energy, high costs are often a barrier. One study even found that 95% of all renewable energy is located in just 16% of the world’s countries (which mainly included the world’s richest countries). I believe this is one of the main problems with current renewable energy sources.

As someone who is also passionate about technology, I am interested in using technology to develop cheaper renewable energy sources. Today, the latest technological developments are already reducing the costs of some renewable energy sources. For example, recent innovations in photovoltaic (PV) technologies actually improve energy conversion rates while also measuring production costs.

A new type of renewable energy, called hydrogen energy, uses advanced technology to generate electricity from hydrogen. It uses hydrogen fuel cells to generate energy. This method is very expensive and can significantly reduce the need for mining if used on a larger scale. This method shows how technology can transform renewable energy.

Recently, smart grids have also been introduced. They use advanced communication and control technologies to monitor and manage the flow of electricity. This ensures efficient and reliable energy distribution. This has the potential to significantly reduce energy waste.

In the future, technology will likely transform renewable energy even further. Moving away from finite resources is essential, and systems such as hydrogen energy and smart grids are just the beginning. With technology advancing rapidly every day, it seems that the best solution will be to move away from non-renewable energy sources, as the technology has enormous potential.