Exploring Crucial Renewable Energy, Its Types and Environmental Benefits That You Need To Know in 2024

seven types of renewable energy sources
Types of renewable energy sources

What is renewable energy?

Often referred to as clean energy, renewable energy originates from regularly renewed natural sources or processes. For instance, even if their availability depends on time and weather, sunlight or wind are continuously shining and blowing. Although many people consider renewable energy a new technology, using nature’s power has long been applied for heating, transportation, lighting, and more.

Fossil fuels, including coal, gas, and oil, constitute non-renewable, or “dirty,” energy. Only in limited quantities and requiring a lengthy period to refill, non-renewable energy sources are available. We are using a limited resource extracted from crude oil that has existed since prehistoric times, when we pumped gasoline at the station. Furthermore, because they are usually located in particular areas of the earth, non-renewable energy sources are more prevalent in some countries than others.

Every nation, by comparison, has access to wind and sunshine. Giving non-renewable energy top priority will also help to strengthen national security by lessening reliance on exports from nations abundant in fossil fuels.

Why do we need renewable energy?

The Industrial Revolution brought in a period of technological innovations in the late 1700s, including the usage of new energy sources—mostly fossil fuels. Burned for use, fossil fuels—coal, natural gas, and oil—form from the breakdown of biological molecules. Fossil fuels were more easily accessible and less costly to generate as technology developed, therefore driving more use. They provide over eighty percent of the energy consumed worldwide today.

Burned fossil fuels, however, spew greenhouse gases (GHGs), including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O), into the atmosphere. GHGs trap the sun’s radiation and stop it from being sent into space, therefore heating the surface of the Earth as they accumulate in the atmosphere.

As a result, fossil fuels have become the main driver of today’s climate change crisis and its primary consequence, global warming.

Stronger storms, hotter, drier summers, and changes to natural ecosystems might all follow from damaging, long-term changes in the Earth’s temperature and weather patterns brought about by global warming.

Many organizations use carbon accounting—the practice of measuring and tracking the amount of direct and indirect GHGs emitted during normal operations—to help progress an energy transition and reach the goal of achieving net-zero emissions. Including low- to zero-carbon emissions from renewable energy sources will enable companies to meet these objectives, thereby lowering environmental impact and GHG emissions.

Types of renewable energy

renewable energy types with their causes
Renewable energy sources

 

These are the most common sources of renewable power:

Solar Energy

Solar energy is harnessed from the sun’s rays and converted into electricity or heat. There are two primary technologies used to capture and convert solar energy:

  • Photovoltaic (PV) systems These systems capture photons from sunlight by means of solar panels made of semiconductor materials (such as silicon), therefore producing electrons. Direct current (DC) electricity produced by this technique can be turned to alternating current (AC) by an inverter for use in homes, businesses, and the grid.
  • Solar Thermal Systems: These systems gather heat from the sun. Solar water heating is an often used application whereby solar collectors directly heat water by absorbing sunlight. More sophisticated systems, such as Solar solar power (CSP) facilities, employ mirrors or lenses to focus a great area of sunlight into a tiny beam to produce high temperatures, usually to generate steam and operate a turbine for power production.

Solar power generation grew by 26% in 2022, and it’s projected that solar power production will surpass that of coal and natural gas by 2027.

Hydropower 

Harnessing the energy of flowing or falling water results in hydropower, sometimes known as hydroelectric energy. Among the most recognized and ancient sources of renewable energy is this one. The main varieties are:

  • Conventional (Dammed) Hydroelectric Power: This includes building a dam on a big river with a notable elevation decrease, known as conventional, or dam, hydroelectric power. The dam accumulates water in a reservoir; when released, it passes via turbines to create energy.
  • Run-of-River Hydropower: These methods create electricity without big reservoirs. Rather, they transfer some river water via a canal or pipe, running it through turbines before backtracking it to the river. Usually speaking, these systems have less environmental impact than big dams.
  • Pumped storage This is a form of hydroelectric power applied for energy conservation. Two reservoirs at separate heights are involved here. Excess electricity is used to move water uphill to the higher reservoir in low demand. The stored water is released to run back-down turbines producing energy during maximum demand.

Currently ranking first on the list of renewable energy sources globally, hydropower is among the first ones used in generating electricity. It moves turbines producing electricity utilizing reservoirs, dams, streams and river flow, marine and tidal power, and other means.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that by 2030, hydroelectric power will boost generating capacity by roughly 17% as technology develops.

Wind Energy

Using wind turbines, which translate the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical power and then into electricity, wind energy is obtained. There are many varieties:

  • Onshore Wind Farms: The most common form of wind power installation are onshore wind farms, which are situated on land. They can be erected in mountainous regions with stable wind patterns, broad plains, and agricultural ground.

  • Offshore Wind Farms: Usually found on the continental shelf, offshore wind farms are wind turbines erected in bodies of water. Stronger and more consistent wind speeds found in offshore wind farms help to increase energy production by comparison to onshore installations.

  • Distributed or Small Wind Systems: Smaller wind turbines available for individual residences, farms, or small companies are distributed or small wind systems. They help to lessen reliance on the grid by augmenting alternative energy sources.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy uses the crust of the earth to capture its inherent heat. Deeply ingrained steam from the earth is used in geothermal energy systems to run turbines producing power.

But the geothermal reservoirs needed for production are rare and found one mile or two below the surface of the earth. There are 27 geothermal power generating countries as of 2021. One can make several uses of this energy:

  • Geothermal Power Plants: Using heat from the Earth’s interior, geothermal power plants create steam that drives turbines linked to electric generators. Geothermal power plants fall mostly into three categories: binary cycle, flash steam, and dry steam. Based on the temperature and condition of the geothermal fluid, every type transforms geothermal heat into electrical power using different techniques.

  • Direct Use Applications: Geothermal heat is directly employed in this scenario for heating houses, agriculture (like greenhouse heating), industrial operations, and heating water for fish farms, among others.

  • Geothermal Heat Pumps: Geothermal heat pumps use the somewhat consistent earth temperatures close to the surface to heat and cool houses. Circulating fluid through underground pipes allows heat to be taken from the ground in winter or delivered to the ground in summer, therefore offering effective temperature control.

Biomass Energy

Organic resources include plants, agricultural and forestry wastes, and organic garbage that produces biomass energy. There are applications for biomass:

  • Combustion: Direct burning of biomass—that is, wood, crop wastes, and organic waste—to create heat for cooking, heating, or steam turbine generation of electricity.

  • Biogas Production: Direct burning of biomass—that is, wood, crop wastes, and organic waste—to create heat for cooking, heating, or steam turbine generation of electricity.

  • Biofuels: Organic materials, such as food waste or animal manure, is broken down in an anaerobic environment—in the absence of oxygen—by microorganisms to generate biogas, mostly consisting of methane and carbon dioxide. One can use this biogas as automobile fuel, generate energy, or generate heat.

  • Advanced Conversion Technologies: Advanced Conversion Technologies: Gasification and pyrolysis are two methods whereby biomass is broken down at high temperatures either in the presence (gasification) or absence (pyrolysis) of oxygen. Gasification converts biomass into a synthesis gas (syngas), which can be used as a raw material for chemical synthesis, to create hydrogen, or to generate power.
  • Pyrolysis, on the other hand, thermally decomposes biomass to produce bio-oil, syngas, and char. Bio-oil can be refined into transportation fuels, while syngas can be used similarly as in gasification, and char can be utilized as a soil conditioner or activated carbon. These advanced technologies enhance the versatility and efficiency of biomass as a renewable energy resource.

Tidal Energy (Ocean energy)

A type of renewable energy known as tidal energy uses the tides’ power to create electricity. Promising as a sustainable and clean energy source, it might be very important for the world’s shift to renewable energy.

The tidal energy is explained in more depth here:

  • Tidal Movements: Rising and falling tides are caused in part by the moon’s gravitational pull as well as, less so, the sun. The gravitational pull of these heavenly bodies produces a predictable sequence of high and low tides as the Earth revolves.
  • Tidal Power Generation: Rising and falling tides are caused in part by the moon’s gravitational pull as well as, less so, the sun. The gravitational pull of these heavenly bodies produces a predictable sequence of high and low tides as the Earth revolves.
  • a. Tidal Barrages: Built across estuaries or bays, tidal barrages are big dam-like constructions. Water is caught behind the barrage when the tide rises and discharged via turbines, generates energy as it lowers.
  • b. Tidal Stream Turbines: Placed in places with significant tidal currents, tidal stream turbines are submerged underwater turbines. The turbines spin to generate electricity when the tides come in and out. 

As the globe moves toward renewable energy sources, tidal energy is a more and more appealing alternative despite these difficulties. Tidal energy systems are becoming more cost-effective and efficient because of continuous research and technological developments, offering a potential future contribution to the worldwide energy mix.

Hydrogen (energy)

A neat and effective technique, hydrogen fuel cells turn the chemical energy kept in hydrogen into electrical energy. The procedure is as follows:

  • Hydrogen gas is fed into the fuel cell, where it reacts with oxygen from the air at the anode.
  • This reaction splits the hydrogen molecules into protons and electrons.
  • The protons pass through a membrane to the cathode, while the electrons are forced to travel through an external circuit, generating an electric current.
  • At the cathode, the protons, electrons, and oxygen combine to form water, the only byproduct of the reaction.

High efficiency, minimal direct emissions, and the capacity to create power on-demand define hydrogen fuel cells’ main benefits. From cars to stationary power generation, this makes them a potential technology for a broad spectrum of uses.

Hydrogen fuel cells are predicted to become ever more significant in the shift to a more sustainable energy future as the infrastructure for hydrogen manufacture and delivery keeps developing.

Is nuclear energy renewable?

Although the low- to zero-carbon emissions of nuclear power make it regarded as a clean energy source, it is not renewable. Uranium is needed for nuclear energy; it is only found in limited proportions at particular sites and must be extracted from the ground. Still, nuclear power accounts for 10% of all the electricity consumed worldwide and, when paired with hydro, generates three-quarters of the low-carbon energy produced globally overall.

 Pros and cons of renewable energy:

Pros of renewable energy:

  • Sustainability: Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower are naturally replenished and do not get depleted, making them a sustainable long-term energy solution.

  • Environmental Benefits: Renewable energy has a much lower carbon footprint and environmental impact compared to fossil fuels, helping to mitigate climate change and reduce air and water pollution.

  • Energy Security: Renewable energy resources are abundant and widely distributed, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels and increasing energy security.

  • Cost Savings: The costs of renewable energy technologies, especially solar and wind, have been steadily declining, making them increasingly cost-competitive with traditional energy sources.

  • Job Creation: The renewable energy industry is a significant and growing source of employment, with jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance.

Cons of Renewable Energy:

  • Intermittency: Many renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, are intermittent and dependent on weather conditions, which can create challenges for grid integration and reliability.

  • High Upfront Costs: While the operating costs of renewable energy are low, the initial capital investment required for installation can be high, especially for large-scale projects.

  • Geographical Limitations: The availability of renewable energy resources is often location-dependent, with some regions being more suitable for certain technologies than others.

  • Storage Challenges: Storing renewable energy for use when it is not being generated can be technically and economically challenging, limiting the ability to fully harness the energy.

  • Land Use Conflicts: Large-scale renewable energy projects, such as solar farms and wind turbines, can sometimes face opposition due to concerns about land use, environmental impacts, and visual aesthetics.

  • Grid Integration: Integrating large amounts of renewable energy into existing electrical grids can require significant infrastructure upgrades and coordination to maintain grid stability and reliability.

Overall, the pros of renewable energy, including its sustainability, environmental benefits, and cost-competitiveness, make it a crucial component in the transition to a low-carbon future. However, the cons, such as intermittency and high upfront costs, also need to be addressed through continued technological advancements and policy support.

India’s Renewable Energy Landscape in 2024

 

India presents a fascinating case study for renewable energy. With its vast population, growing energy demands, and abundant solar and wind resources, the country is at a pivotal point in its energy transition.

Key questions to explore:

  • Challenges: What are the primary hurdles India faces in scaling up renewable energy, including grid integration, financing, and policy implementation?
  • Opportunities: How can India leverage its vast renewable resources to achieve energy independence and create a sustainable economy?
  • Policy and Incentives: What role can government policies and incentives play in accelerating renewable energy adoption and attracting investments?
  • Technological Advancements: How can India foster innovation and develop indigenous renewable energy technologies?
  • Social and Economic Impacts: What are the potential social and economic benefits of a rapid transition to renewable energy in India?

India’s Renewable Energy Landscape

Challenges in Scaling Up Renewable Energy in India in 2024

India has made substantial progress in its renewable energy journey, but several challenges impede its full potential:

Grid Integration

Integrating large-scale renewable energy, particularly solar and wind, into the existing power grid is a complex task. Issues include:

  • Intermittency: Solar and wind power generation fluctuate with weather conditions, requiring grid operators to balance supply and demand in real-time.
  • Grid Infrastructure: The existing grid infrastructure may not be adequately equipped to handle the influx of renewable energy, necessitating upgrades and reinforcements.
  • Transmission and Distribution Losses: Inefficient transmission and distribution networks can hinder the flow of renewable power to consumers.

Financing

Securing adequate financing for renewable energy projects remains a challenge:

  • High Initial Costs: The upfront capital expenditure for large-scale renewable energy projects can be substantial.
  • Limited Access to Credit: Small-scale renewable energy projects often face difficulties in accessing affordable credit.
  • Risk Perception: Some financial institutions may perceive renewable energy projects as high-risk investments due to factors like policy changes and technology uncertainties.

Land Acquisition

Procuring land for renewable energy projects, especially large-scale solar and wind farms, can be a time-consuming and contentious process:

  • Land Use Conflicts: Competition for land with agriculture, forestry, and other land uses can lead to conflicts.
  • Regulatory Hurdles: Complex land acquisition procedures and bureaucratic delays can hinder project timelines.
  • Local Opposition: Concerns about land displacement, environmental impacts, and potential economic benefits can lead to local resistance.

Policy Implementation

Effective implementation of renewable energy policies is crucial for the sector’s growth:

  • Policy Clarity and Stability: Clear and consistent policies are essential to attract investments and create a conducive environment for project development.
  • Bureaucratic Red Tape: Complex and time-consuming bureaucratic procedures can delay project approvals and increase costs.
  • State-Level Variations: Differences in policies and incentives across Indian states can create inconsistencies and challenges for project developers.

Technology Dependence

India’s reliance on imported technology for certain components, such as solar cells and wind turbines, can pose challenges:

  • Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: Dependence on foreign suppliers can increase the risk of supply chain disruptions and price fluctuations.
  • Technology Costs: Importing technology can often lead to higher project costs.
  • Innovation Barriers: Overreliance on imported technology can hinder domestic research and development efforts.

Abundant Renewable Resources

  • Solar Energy: India enjoys abundant sunshine throughout the year, making it a prime location for solar power generation.
  • Wind Energy: Coastal regions and certain inland areas have excellent wind resources for harnessing wind energy.
  • Hydropower: India has significant hydropower potential, especially in the Himalayan and Western Ghat regions.
  • Biomass and Biofuels: The country’s agricultural residues and waste products offer a substantial resource base for biomass and biofuel production.

Economic Growth and Energy Demand

  • Rising Energy Consumption: India’s rapid economic growth is driving increased energy demand, creating a market for clean energy solutions.
  • Job Creation: The renewable energy sector has the potential to generate millions of jobs, contributing to economic development.
  • Energy Security: Reducing dependence on fossil fuels through renewable energy can enhance India’s energy security.

Government Support

  • Ambitious Targets: The Indian government has set ambitious renewable energy targets, signaling its commitment to clean energy.
  • Policy Framework: A supportive policy environment, including incentives and subsidies, encourages private investment in the sector.
  • International Collaboration: India is actively collaborating with other countries to promote renewable energy technologies and investments.

Technological Advancements

  • Cost Reductions: The declining costs of solar and wind energy technologies make them increasingly competitive with conventional power sources.
  • Innovation Hub: India has the potential to become a global hub for renewable energy research and development.
  • Indigenous Technology: Developing indigenous renewable energy technologies can reduce reliance on imports and create domestic job opportunities.

Global Leadership

  • Climate Change Mitigation: India can play a leading role in global efforts to combat climate change by showcasing its renewable energy achievements.
  • Technology Export: As India develops its renewable energy capabilities, it can export technologies and expertise to other countries.

To satisfy their demands for energy, governments all around are stepping up to boost the output of alternate energy sources. By diversifying the energy mix and cutting reliance on fossil fuels, nations may help to reduce their carbon footprints and support international initiatives to slow down world warming, therefore safeguarding ecosystems and species.

Those striving to increase their energy security and independence will also find it appealing since renewable sources are locally accessible and less affected by geopolitics and price volatility. Many countries also view renewable energy as a means of boosting their economies via public health by lowering air pollution, investment, and employment development.

  • Iceland: Known for its unique geothermal landscapes, Iceland is a world leader in harnessing geothermal energy. More than 85% of Iceland’s electricity comes from local renewable resources, including hydropower and geothermal power.
  • Portugal: The country was one of the first in Europe to pledge carbon neutrality by 2050. Portugal set a record last year for most consecutive days powered solely by renewable energy—for 149 straight hours, or more than six days, energy generated from renewable sources exceeded the country’s consumption needs.
  • Uruguay: Uruguay has made massive investments in wind and solar power and now gets nearly 98% of its electricity from renewables. Rising fuel prices in the early 2000s prompted the country to intensify its decarbonization efforts and transition swiftly to renewable energy.

Smart cities of the future

Cities, towns and other communities are also evaluating their environmental impact and incorporating renewables into their energy-generation plans. Local initiatives increase dependability and help reduce energy costs by employing renewable sources.

By means of distributed energy systems, microgrids, and smart grids, communities are diversifying their choices for power sources and tracking mechanisms for more effective use. During natural catastrophes, cyberattacks, or other events that can cut out a region’s electricity, these systems can be very helpful.

Certain communities are mandating new construction to include green, energy-efficient buildings or providing incentives to encourage older structures to modernize for renewable capability. Others are buying electric school buses and other vehicles or installing solar-powered streetlights to help incorporate renewables into municipal infrastructure.

How businesses are harnessing renewable energy

Companies and organizations seeking more sustainable energy sources have a number of ways to procure renewable energy. For on-site generating, they can make investments in and install their own equipment—from solar panels to wind turbines.

Many utilities let businesses pay a premium for green power purchases, therefore enabling access to renewable energy sources. Other businesses employ long-term agreements with renewable energy producers, such as solar power plants or wind farms, known as power purchase agreements (PPAs). These provide consistency for the provider and financial savings for the buyer.

Among the many uses of that renewable energy are:

Powering operations: In manufacturing, wind energy and solar power are fueling warehouses and factories. In the agriculture sector, innovations such as solar-powered irrigation systems are reducing reliance on fossil fuels and decreasing operating costs. Also, as the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other new technologies increases demand for energy-intensive data centers, major tech companies are using renewable power sources to limit their environmental impact.

Optimizing energy efficiency: Companies are also investing in technologies to optimize their energy use and further reduce their carbon emissions. By integrating smart grids and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, businesses can better manage their energy use.

Building sustainable supply chains: Companies are looking beyond their own operations to their supply chains, recognizing that they can make a significant impact on Scope 3 emissions. They are increasingly requiring their suppliers to use renewable energy and adopt energy-efficient practices.

Meeting compliance and sustainability reporting requirements: Using renewable energy can help businesses meet mandatory reporting requirements and contribute to local and international goals in the fight against climate change.

Enhancing brand reputation: More and more consumers prefer to support businesses that prioritize sustainability and offer green products. By harnessing renewable energy, companies can position themselves as leaders in their industry and attract environmentally conscious customers.

Creating new income streams: Businesses that generate more renewable energy than they consume can sell the surplus back to the grid through feed-in tariffs or net metering arrangements. They can also earn Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for the power they generate. Some are adopting an “Energy as a Service” (EaaS) model, opening up opportunities to manage energy systems and efficiency for other companies.

What the future holds

While artificial intelligence and machine learning will help to maximize energy utilization, developments in renewable energy storage and grid integration will open fresh opportunities for approaches to making use of green power. Integration of renewable energy into corporate operations is driving sustainability and innovation as well as opening the path for a more sustainable future among nations, companies, communities, and even individuals. How might your company contribute on its own?

Conclusion:

Meeting the rising global energy needs in a sustainable and environmentally responsible way depends on renewable energy sources, which are becoming increasingly crucial. Among the several forms of renewable energy are solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biofuel. Every one of these renewable energy sources has special benefits and drawbacks; its fit will depend on geographic location, climate, and resources at hand.

Renewable energy systems have become much more competitive with conventional fossil fuel-based energy sources as technology develops and their cost-effectiveness and efficiency have greatly changed. To lower greenhouse gas emissions, slow down climate change, and guarantee long-term energy supplies, governments, companies, and people are progressively investing in and using renewable energy alternatives.

Although there are still some obstacles to renewable energy, such as the demand for more infrastructure development and storage options, the general trend is toward a greater reliance on these sources. The ongoing expansion and diversification of renewable energy sources will be vital to satisfying world energy needs and preserving the environment for future generations as the planet moves toward a more sustainable energy future.

 FAQs on renewable energy and its types:

What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy refers to energy sources that are naturally replenished and do not get depleted through human use. These include sources like solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and bioenergy. Renewable energy is considered sustainable and has a low or zero-carbon footprint, making it a crucial component in the fight against climate change.

How does hydroelectric power work?

Hydroelectric power plants use the energy of flowing or falling water to spin turbines and generate electricity. Water is typically stored in a dam or reservoir, and when released, it flows through the turbines, causing them to spin and produce electricity. Hydroelectric power is a reliable and flexible source of renewable energy.

What is bioenergy, and how is it produced?

Bioenergy refers to energy derived from organic matter, such as plants, trees, and waste. This can include biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel, as well as the burning of biomass like wood or agricultural waste to generate heat and electricity. Bioenergy is considered renewable because the organic matter can be regrown and replenished over time.

What are the advantages of renewable energy?

The main advantages of renewable energy are that it is sustainable, has a low or zero-carbon footprint, and is often abundant and freely available. Renewable energy can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. It also provides energy security and independence, as renewable resources are not subject to price volatility or depletion like fossil fuels.

What are the challenges of transitioning to renewable energy?

Some of the key challenges in transitioning to renewable energy include the intermittent nature of sources like solar and wind, the need for significant infrastructure investment, and potential land use conflicts. Renewable energy also faces competition from subsidized fossil fuels, and can sometimes face local opposition due to concerns about environmental impacts or aesthetics.

How does the cost of renewable energy compare to traditional fossil fuels?

The cost of renewable energy has been steadily declining, and in many cases, it is now competitive with or even cheaper than traditional fossil fuels. Factors like the Inflation Reduction Act’s tax credits and the increasing scale of renewable energy projects have contributed to this trend. However, the upfront capital costs of renewable energy projects can still be a barrier, especially for certain technologies like offshore wind.

What is the current global and U.S. share of renewable energy production?

Globally, renewable energy sources account for around 20% of total energy consumption, with hydropower being the largest contributor. In the U.S., renewable energy sources make up about 12% of total energy consumption, with wind and solar power being the fastest-growing sectors. However, the potential for renewable energy to meet a much larger share of global and U.S. energy demand is significant, with sources like solar and wind having the capacity to vastly exceed current energy needs.

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Sunil Kirloskar
Sunil Kirloskar

Hi, I am Dr. Sunil. My present blog greenappleplanet.com mainly focuses on various aspects of environment, green living, green technology, solutions to various areas towards preservation of the planet-our mother earth. Blog articles revolve around environment protection at its core. I am sure the young environmentalists will be inspired through these articles. This bog is dedicated to those working for achieving sustainable enviroment and living.

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