Corporate Social Responsibility: Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is one of the most relevant and effectively conveyed forms of corporate social responsibility. With countries around the world pledging to set climate goals in the Paris Agreement, companies can also take the lead.

First things first, what is renewable energy? Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources like sunlight, wind and rain, and is often used to provide energy to create electricity, heating and cooling, but also for transportation and rural energy services.

We take a look at 10 sources of renewable energy that companies can adapt in order to lower their environmental impact.

Solar Power

The sun still has long years ahead of itself, which makes it a fantastic source of renewable energy. Captured by solar panels, thin-film solar sheeting and solar collectors, this source of energy is clean and non-polluting. In the last few years, solar panels have bloomed across cities.

Waves

The ocean surface waves can be collected and reused for electricity generation and for the pumping and desalination of water. Due to the unpredictability of the oceans, wave power is not widely used at the moment.

Hydroelectricity

This type of energy is generated by hydropower, which is the production of energy using the gravitational force of flowing or falling water. It is produced across 150 countries with 33% of global hydropower generated in the Asia-Pacific region.

Wind

This is one of the cheapest alternative fuel sources available. Wind farms have been created across the world, with many farms situated offshore, in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

Radiant Energy

This type of energy is extracted directly from the environment or regular electricity through a process called fractionation. It is the power produced by electromagnetic waves. Most of us have a radiant energy device in our homes: the microwave oven.

Compressed Natural Gas

This is a fossil fuel substitute for diesel, gasoline and propane fuel. It is a source of energy that is mostly used in Canada. However, natural gas vehicles are available in Europe and South America.

Geothermal Power

This system is simple: it’s the use of heated water and steam from the Earth to run power stations  which transform steam into electricity. This type of power is cost effective, environment-friendly and highly reliable.

Tidal Power

Turbines are installed underwater and rotate, driven by the moving dense water. As tides are more predictable than wind and solar power, tidal power could become the next widely used type of renewable energy.

Biomass

The Biomass energy is the production of power by using plant matter and animal waste. It offers a low-carbon source of energy with little pollution. Although an expensive source of renewable energy, researchers still see biomass as an excellent alternative to fuel and are trying to develop new ways to use it instead of fuel.

Nuclear Power

A product of nuclear reactions, nuclear power is considered a sustainable energy source. It reduces carbon emissions, which makes it a clean source of renewable energy. There are 439 nuclear power reactors in operation in the world.