Question

The Advantages of Renewable energy sources are:

• A. High cost
• B. Pollution
• C. Sustainability
• D. Low efficiency

Hint:

Renewable energy is defined by its ability to replenish naturally.
Therefore, terms like "renewable," "green," "clean," and "sustainable" are closely linked, with sustainability being their defining ecological benefit.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This question asks us to identify the primary advantage of renewable energy sources from the provided options.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
This is a qualitative, general engineering question about environmental impacts and energy systems.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

• Renewable energy sources include solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and ocean energy.

• Let us analyze each of the options to determine which represents a positive advantage:

• Option A: High cost. This is a major limitation or disadvantage of renewable energy systems, primarily due to the high initial capital investment required for setup (e.g., solar panels, wind turbines).

• Option B: Pollution. Conventional fossil fuels are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. Renewable energy sources are clean and produce minimal to zero pollution during operation, so "pollution" is not an advantage of renewable energy.

• Option C: Sustainability. Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite and depleting rapidly, renewable energy sources are naturally replenished on a human timescale. They are virtually inexhaustible, making sustainability their primary advantage.

• Option D: Low efficiency. Most current renewable energy conversion systems (like commercial solar PV panels) operate at relatively low conversion efficiencies compared to fossil-fuel power plants. This is a technical disadvantage, not an advantage.

Step 4: Final Answer
Thus, the primary advantage among the choices is sustainability, which corresponds to option (C).