Green encyclopedia
Non-renewable energy sources – what are they, what disadvantages do they have, and do they have a future?
Non-renewable, or so-called traditional, energy sources have for decades been the foundation of energy systems around the world. Coal, crude oil, and natural gas are resources that, despite the growing popularity of alternative energy sources, still play a key role in the energy systems of many countries. This situation makes the energy transition, which will help free the global economy from fossil fuels, increasingly urgent. So, what is worth knowing about non-renewable energy sources?
Energy class – what it is and what it means
When choosing household or office appliances, you’ll come across an energy class label. It visually represents how much electricity a device consumes and whether it is cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. Learn what energy classes are and how to interpret them.
What are oxygen trees and why is it worth planting them?
The fight against air pollution can take many forms, including planting vegetation that absorbs carbon dioxide and produces oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. In recent years, so-called OxyTrees, or oxygen trees, have been gaining popularity. What are they, and how can oxygen trees be used in urban environments as well as by large companies?
Cogeneration fee – what it is and how it affects your electricity bill
On your electricity bill, you’ll find many different charges. In addition to the amount for actual electricity consumption, customers also pay various distribution fees. Alongside the RES (renewable energy) fee, quality fee, capacity fee, and two types of network charges, there’s also the cogeneration fee. What is it, and how is it calculated?
Electricity production in Poland – how can the carbon footprint of the energy sector be reduced?
Planning global energy and energy security requires countries to develop so-called energy mixes. This refers to the structure of energy production and consumption, taking into account the energy carriers and methods of generation. For many years, Poland has been known for an energy mix dominated primarily by coal. Are these trends changing? What does the structure of electricity production in Poland look like?
Variable 24-hour network fee – what it is and how it affects your electricity bill
On the electricity bill you receive, there are several different charges. In addition to those related to the actual use of electrical energy, we also pay for the generation and transmission of power. An example of such a distribution cost is the variable 24-hour network fee. What is it exactly, how much does it cost, and is there any way to reduce it?
Unit of electric current – what is an ampere and how do we measure It?
Electric current is the orderly flow of electrons moving through a conductor under the influence of electric forces. For devices connected to the power grid to operate properly, the current supplied must meet specific parameters. One of the key values used to indicate the “quality” of electricity is its current intensity. But what exactly is the unit of electric current?
When was electricity discovered? The history of its discovery and the development of electric power
Most of us no longer realize that life without electricity today would be practically impossible. Yet humanity only learned to harness electric power in the 19th century with the invention of the first electric cell, even though we were aware of the existence of atmospheric discharges much earlier. Who, then, discovered electricity—and when?
Gravitational energy storage – how it works and is it the future of electricity storage?
As the world struggles with an increasingly severe environmental crisis, the demand for Renewable Energy Sources is rising dramatically. Wind and tidal energy are strongly limited by location, while solar energy seems widely available and inexhaustible, but its efficiency suffers due to the day–night cycle. One of the modern innovations addressing this challenge is gravitational energy storage. How does this solution work?
Geothermal energy – how it works and whether it can be an important source of energy in the future?
Among renewable energy sources, geothermal energy is usually not mentioned among the top options. For this reason, most investors don’t even consider using it. And that’s a shame, because the geochemical processes occurring inside the Earth generate truly large amounts of heat that—if properly harnessed—can be used in everyday operations. But what exactly is geothermal energy, and how can it be exploited?
At What Times Is Electricity Cheaper? Tariffs and Ways to Save
Electric power available in the power grid is essential for the operation of businesses and households. However, while the electrical parameters of current within a given voltage class remain the same, its price can vary. So, at what times is electricity cheaper, and when is it worth considering a change of tariff?
Electric Energy – What It Is, How It Is Produced, and How We Use It
Both consumers and businesses use electric energy every day, and it’s hard to imagine life without electricity today. However, this hasn’t always been the case—back in the 18th century, artificial sources of electric energy did not yet exist. Let’s take a step back in time to explain where electric energy actually comes from and trace its history. Where is the development of electrical engineering headed?