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The move to net-zero necessitates energy transition at a global level. As the world acknowledges the need to make the switch towards clean energy to alleviate climate concerns, there can be some ambiguity regarding the different terms that are sometimes used interchangeably. One of the foremost examples is sustainability energy vs renewable energy. Both play a pivotal role in the successful execution of climate strategies; however, there are some key differences. This article focuses on providing a comprehensive look at what sustainable energy is and how it is different from renewable energy.
Sustainable Energy: An Overlook
In simple terms, sustainable energy is an energy source that promotes the idea of sustainability. It can be maintained for a long time without posing any threat to future generations. Any energy source is regarded as sustainable if it can cater to the needs of society without depleting. Solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal energy are some of the prominent examples of sustainability energy.
Renewable Energy: An Overview
Any usable energy curated through natural recurrent procedures is regarded as renewable energy. Influenced by the weather and time, renewable energy is not available all the time; however, it can be naturally replenished. Renewable energy sources are effective alternatives to traditional and dangerous sources like fossil fuel.[1] Non-renewable sources have taken years to come into existence, and the current rate of exhaustion far outweighs the rate at which it is refilled.
Renewable Energy vs Sustainable Energy: The Key Differences
With sustainability being at the top of the priority list for businesses across the globe, having a clear understanding of the terminologies is paramount to the success of all curated strategies.
While both renewable and sustainable energy are subsets of green energy, there are a few key differences:
- Renewable energy is derived from resources that can be replenished naturally on Earth. On the other hand, sustainability energy is extracted from sources that can never be depleted.
- All renewable energy cannot be classified as sustainable energy and vice versa. For example, biomass is a type of renewable energy that is burnt for fuel and heat. Despite the replenishing potential of biomass, consumption leads to the emission of greenhouse gasses that can have a negative impact on the environment.
Therefore, not all forms of renewable energy are classified as sustainable. Sustainable energy should be controlled, be able to accelerate energy output, and reduce any negative byproducts.
Energy Transformation: A Few Crucial Thoughts
How the energy is produced, supplied, and ultimately consumed plays a pivotal role in determining whether it is sustainable. Professionals in the energy sector and policymakers need to assess the consumption and production cycle in terms of cost and compare it with the consumption rate to ensure a seamless transition for any enterprise.
Moreover, political decision-makers need to have a clear understanding of renewable and sustainable energy before making any kind of large-scale plan or drafting legislation. The challenges related to sustainable energy are complicated, and ascertaining the impact on the environment in the long haul is an arduous task. This is primarily due to the fact that the environment and energy demands are consistently evolving.
A Move Towards Sustainability with Schneider Electric
At Schneider Electric, we are accelerating sustainability for all through our relentless commitments. With our carbon pledge, we have decided to be carbon neutral in our operation by 2025 and end to end by 2025—almost ten years ahead of the 1.5 climate trajectory. Moreover, Schneider acknowledges the crucial role biodiversity plays in helping humanity thrive.[2] Therefore, with our biodiversity pledge, we have decided to reach net-zero biodiversity loss in operations in 2030.
With sustainability being at the core of our operations, Schneider Electric believes in acting for a climate-positive world by constantly investing in and curating breakthrough solutions that help reduce carbon emissions. Schneider Electric’s primary objective is to empower everyone to make the most of the energy and resources and bridge the gap between progress and sustainability. We have transformed 40% of Italy’s energy to become sustainable with our ExoStruxure smart grid. Explore our website and commence a committed approach towards the energy transformation of your enterprise.
