Sustainable energy sources - renewable energies

Sooner or later, natural resources will be irrevocably depleted and yet energy consumption in our latitudes continues to rise next. It is time to switch - to renewable energies!

Sooner or later, natural resources will be irrevocably depleted and yet energy consumption in our latitudes continues to rise next. It is time to switch - to renewable energies!

Although we at NIKIN are primarily concerned with sustainable materials in the fashion industry and fighting against global deforestation, it is important to think sustainably in other areas of life too. We not only want to reach our customers, but also motivate people to rethink their lifestyle and possibly make it more sustainable. There is no getting around thinking about alternative energy sources and thus reducing the burden on the planet.

What exactly are "renewable energies"?

All energy that can be renewed by definition, i.e. that does not come from finite sources, is sustainable. Of course, there are already quite a few. Hydropower has been around for a long time. The natural power of water is converted into electricity, particularly at dams.

Other renewable energies from nature are:

• Solar energy: usable with the help of appropriate solar cells and connected batteries, solar energy can be used directly (e.g. for heating water in the home) or stored or fed into the grid. There is an abundance of models!
• Wind energy: energy is generated with the help of windmills and turbines, very similar to the utilization of hydropower.
• Geothermal heat: this process makes use of the natural heat in deeper layers of the earth's mantle.
• Biogas: the "exhaust air" from livestock produces methane gas, which is a renewable energy source known as biogas. Anyone who spends any length of time in a cowshed will understand why...

Conventional energy sources and why they are so harmful

Our planet therefore offers an abundance of renewable energy sources. Unfortunately, they are still used relatively little. The majority of demand is covered by so-called fossil fuels, including coal, oil and natural gas. Another part is covered by nuclear power, at least in some countries.

Fossil fuels were all formed in the Palaeozoic era through the decay of organic materials and have retained their characteristic properties over millions of years of compression in deeper layers of soil. They were gradually discovered as fuels in the course of the industrial revolution and the emergence of the steam engine.

Heavy consumption has its price - because fossil fuels are FINITE. Even the most extensive oil fields will - quite soon - be "empty". This is a bleak outlook for a global economy that is currently inconceivable without fossil fuels. What's more, fossil fuels are burned. This releases pollutants that have a significant impact on the global climate. Almost irreversible. The constant "ignition" with gas, oil and coal does not contribute to the quality of life either. Anyone who has had the pleasure of long traffic jams in a busy city center has experienced that the prolonged inhalation of exhaust fumes often makes you feel "off track" for days on end. Fossil fuels are therefore all harmful. Nevertheless, industry, business and politics still cling to these energy sources in many areas.

What are the advantages of renewable energy?

Renewable energies are the future - not only are they not finite, they are also much cleaner. Although sustainable energies also have their disadvantages, these are significantly fewer than with conventional fossil fuels.

A rethink is slowly getting underway - far too slowly in the opinion of supporters. Nevertheless, the use of renewable energies is being supported and subsidized. Cities and municipalities are becoming "green" either for partial projects or completely - for example through the widespread use of solar energy or geothermal energy. But end consumers can also use renewable energies. The simplest way to harness the power of the sun is with small, portable solar cells. Outdoor lighting, water heaters and even small batteries can be powered by solar energy. This works in your own home, but also in your apartment. The use of such "island solutions" is ideal for more remote, possibly isolated buildings and systems. This saves the laborious and costly connection to the power grid.

In fact, most consumers primarily use solar energy in one form or another, whether for hot water for showers or with a practical small "solar pad" for camping and leisure to charge their cell phone. Renewable energies are no longer the exclusive domain of do-gooders, but have been part of everyday life for years. And they will play a far greater role in the future!

Taking part is not that difficult

Anyone interested in the possibility of using more or completely renewable energy, whether in their company or at home, will find a corresponding advice center in most municipalities, not only in Switzerland but in almost all of Europe. Here you can find out about technically possible solutions as well as about competent specialist companies in your area, but also about available state subsidies.