Home » From coal to smart energy – 100 years of energy

From coal to smart energy – 100 years of energy

There is no doubt that one of the biggest factors that turned the humble Homo Sapien to the dominant animal on the planet was the discovery of fire. Humans evolved to a state where they were able to harness energy out of various materials, and that started with the discovery of fire. Interestingly, the very same principle is still at the basis of almost all of the energy we use today. Our electric generators burn coal and oil to create electricity, and our cars burn petrol and diesel. We use the energy created by these processes to run our homes, our cars and pretty much everything else.

In an interesting study and research that we took part in, we looked at how energy usage has evolved over the last 100 years. We have gone from using wood and coal to create steam and using steam engines in everything to relying more heavily on electricity in more recent times. As we delve into the 21st century, we have started to take a deeper and more thoughtful look at our energy usage. More on this can be found by clicking on the image below:

100 years of energy click here example

With the latest trend in technology, science, as well as our awareness of the environmental impacts and demands, we are starting to research and develop cleaner sources of energy. Hydro-generated electricity has existed for a while, but recently we have started seeing solar panels appear on the roofs of our houses and across our farms, as well as wind farms appear all over the country. The simple fact is, every time we burn something, we damage the environment a little bit. To move to a cleaner fuel is the best way to protect our environment, and quite frankly, make sure we have a planet left for ourselves and our future generations.

Another way to save the planet is to watch our own individual energy usage. This can range from making sure we don’t waste much to making sure we buy items that are less costly in terms of energy. For example, making sure we buy electrical equipment that comes with better energy ratings. While things like phones, televisions and computers are often not heavy, kitchen utensils and other items such as vacuum cleaners and irons are often quite heavy on energy usage, so a bit of research on those goes a long way.

Of course, another way to make sure you are watching your energy usage is to get a smart energy meter. A lot of suppliers offer these and they make life a lot simpler for both the supplier and the user. You normally get an indication of your usage live, and the energy company doesn’t need to pop around and take readings any more. It also means that you can get instant reports on how bad (or good) your iron, your kettle or that fancy looking heater is. Simple to use, these are one of the easiest ways to make sure your impact on the planet, and hence yourself and your future generations, is mostly positive!

How do you see energy usage evolving over the next 100 years? What do you think we can do to help the planet? Let us know in the comments below.

This post is brought to you in partnership with E.ON Energy. See if you could save money with their gas and electricity deals today. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

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