Energieträgern

Energieträger, also known as energy carriers or energy sources, are substances or phenomena from which usable energy can be extracted. They represent the stored or potential energy that can be converted into other forms of energy, such as electricity or heat, to perform work.

These sources can be broadly categorized into renewable and non-renewable types. Renewable energy carriers are naturally replenished on a human timescale, including solar energy captured by photovoltaic cells, wind power harnessed by turbines, hydropower from flowing water, geothermal energy from the Earth's internal heat, and biomass derived from organic matter. Non-renewable energy carriers exist in finite quantities and are consumed much faster than they are naturally formed. This category includes fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as nuclear fuels such as uranium.

The selection and utilization of energy carriers are critical aspects of energy policy and technological development, influencing economic activity, environmental impact, and societal progress. The transition towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy carriers is a significant global challenge and objective. Each energy carrier has unique properties regarding availability, cost, efficiency of conversion, and environmental consequences associated with its extraction, processing, and use.