Drive towards a solar - hydrogen renewable economy

By Dr Waheed Saban, Cape Town FLEAT member and HOD of Environmental Desk, Muslim Judicial Council (MJC)

Renewable energy is a flow of energy that is not consumed when utilized. There are many forms such as wind, hydroelectric, biomass, solar, tidal waves, geothermal and solar. The aim of this article is to emphasize the benefit of renewables such as solar and hydrogen energy unlike non-renewable energy sources such as coal, oil, and natural gas.

According to a peer-reviewed international publication in ‘energy conversion and management (49, (7), 1820 – 1831, 2008 ),’ the solar-hydrogen energy system is the best energy system to establish a sustainable future, and it should replace the fossil fuel system before the end of the 21st century.

The current demand for energy worldwide is growing fast due to population growth and technological advancement. Investments in renewables have significantly increased globally as this technology is more reliable and cost-effective and this provides an opportunity to tackle the climate crisis by accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels. Solar energy is an attractive renewable energy source that would mitigate the current long-term threat to climate change.

The emergence of solar power will allow economies to grow and stimulate much-needed employment opportunities. The economies of developing countries and the lives of underprivileged people have improved significantly using this cost-effective technology. This industry would be the best option for a sustainable future energy source since it is superior in terms of availability, cost, accessibility, capacity, and efficiency compared to other renewables.