What is Renewable Energy and the Sources of Renewable Energy

In this article we are discussing renewable energy, what is renewable energy, and sources of renewable energy. We will also discuss what is renewable energy sources or renewable resources and the benefits or advantages of renewable energy.

 

What is renewable energy

·         Renewable energy is the type of energy that is produced using natural resources that are constantly replaced and never run out.

·         Renewable energy is energy that is collected from sources or processes that are naturally and constantly replenished, regenerated, or replaced. The sources include sunlight, wind, the movement of water (hydroelectric and tidal), geothermal heat, and biomass.

Renewable energy sources are such sources that are plentiful and all around us.

Although renewable energy is considered a solution for the future of our power needs, we have been harnessing and consuming the natural power of nature for centuries.

Renewable energy is an alternative to Fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas). These fossil fuels are non-renewable resources, they take hundreds of millions of years to form. Fossil fuels cause emissions of harmful greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide when they are burnt to produce energy.

While consumption of renewable energy creates far lower emissions than burning fossil fuels. Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy is definitely the key to addressing the climate crisis.

Renewables are now considered cheaper in most countries, and they generate three times more jobs than fossil fuels.

 

Renewable Energy Stats

According to the stats, from 2011 to 2021, renewable energy has grown from 20% to 28% of the global electricity supply. Fossil energy decreased from 68% to 62%, and nuclear from 12% to 10%. The hydropower’s share decreased from 16% to 15% while power from sun and wind increased from 2% to 10%. Biomass and geothermal energy have grown from 2% to 3%. More than 3000 gigawatts are installed in 135 countries, while 156 countries plan to fulfill their energy needs from the renewable energy sector.

 

Renewable Energy in Europe

According to Eurostat in 2019, renewable energy sources made up 34% of gross electricity consumption in the EU, slightly up from 32% in 2018.

Wind and hydropower contributed about two-thirds of the total electricity generated from renewable sources (about 35% each). The remaining electricity generated was from solar power (13%), solid biofuels (8%), and other renewable sources (9%). Solar power is the source that is growing fast: in 2008, it accounted for 1%.

 

Where is Renewable Energy Used the Most?

Germany is the country that uses the highest amount of renewable energy with 12.74%. This was followed by the UK at about (11.95%), Sweden at (10.96%), Spain at (10.17%), Italy at (8.8%), Brazil at (7.35%), Japan at (5.3%), Turkey at (5.25%), Australia at (4.75%) and the USA at (4.32%) all making up the top ten.

 

Renewable Energy in the United States

Renewable energy generates electricity about 20% of all the U.S., and that percentage is growing continuously. The total electricity production in 2021 among the types of renewable power is graphically shown below:

In 2022, solar and wind are considering adding more than 60% of the utility-scale generating capacity to the U.S. (46% from solar, 17% from wind).

The United States has rich renewable energy resources. Its potential to generate renewable energy is about 100 times that of the nation’s annual electricity need.

 

Importance of Renewable Energy

Renewable energy sources are resources that can be used multiple times.

Renewable resources are considered particularly important because they can replace non-renewable or finite resources in energy production. In addition, renewable resources can provide cleaner energy solutions than non-renewable resources such as coal and fossil fuels.

Other examples of renewable resources include wind energy, hydroelectric power, and geothermal energy. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity, while hydroelectric plants collect water in reservoirs and release it to spin turbines. Geothermal power plants use the heat generated by the mantle to generate steam that drives turbines.

Renewable energy offers many advantages, including an available source of energy production. As the industry grows, jobs are created in the design and installation of future renewable energy solutions. Renewable resources also provide developing countries with better access to energy and can also reduce energy costs.

Renewable energy is energy that comes from natural sources that can be regenerated or replaced.

Renewable energy is energy derived from the earth's natural resources that are not finite or depletable, such as B. wind and sunlight. Renewable energy is an alternative to conventional energy sources based on fossil fuels and is generally much less harmful to the environment.

Renewable energy is the energy obtained from natural processes that are replenished at or faster than the rate at which it is consumed. There are many forms of renewable energy, either directly or indirectly from the sun or heat generated deep inside the earth. This includes energy from solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, and marine sources, solid biomass, biogas, and liquid biofuels. However, biomass is a renewable resource only if its consumption rate does not exceed its regeneration rate.

Renewable energy means sustainable energy - energy like the sun that won't run out or be inexhaustible. This means that energy can replace the most commonly used unsustainable energy sources - such as coal.

 

 

Sources of Renewable Energy

There is a range of renewable sources that have been developed, with each offering its own advantages and challenges depending on factors such as geographical location, requirements for use, and even the time of year.

All these renewable energy sources are plentiful and all around us.

1. Solar

The sun is the most potent source to supply our power needs because the sun supplies energy to the earth in just one hour is enough to fulfill the planet’s power needs for an entire year. However, the challenge is how to harness and use this vast potential.

We currently use solar energy to heat buildings, warm water, and power our devices. The power from the sun is collected using solar or photovoltaic (PV) cells, which are made from silicon or other materials. These cells transform sunlight into electricity which is DC and can power anything from the smallest garden light to entire neighborhoods. These solar cells form a panel and the combination of panels is mostly installed on the rooftop of a house and power it. While Solar farms can also be created to supply the community or colony.

Solar-powered energy systems are clean, pollutants-free energy sources and they don't produce greenhouse gases or carbon.

2. Wind

In this type of renewable energy, the energy is obtained from the wind. Its process is just like old-fashioned windmills. The blades are installed freely to rotate with the wind. The difference is, that the windmill uses the power of the wind to rotate the millstones, whereas, in the latest wind power system, turbines are rotated by blades to generate electricity. 

Wind turbines are installed on such sites where wind pressure is high. These sites include hilltops, plains, and open fields.

3. Hydroelectric

Hydroelectric power works like wind power. The difference is that it uses moving water to spin the turbine of the generator to produce electricity. In hydropower, the turbine of the generator is either rotated by fast-moving water in rivers or from waterfalls. In most countries, energy needs are widely fulfilled by hydroelectric power. It is currently the largest renewable energy source in the United States, most Asian countries, and all over the world.

Hydroelectric dams are built which is a renewable energy source. However, the construction of the larger ‘mega-dams’ divert natural water sources and they also create a negative impact on animal and human populations due to restricted access to the water source. If carefully managed, smaller hydroelectric power plants (under 40 megawatts) do not have such negative effects on the local environment.

 4. Biomass

Biomass energy is obtained from the organic material of plants and animals, including crops, trees, and waste wood. This biomass is burned to create heat, which is used to power a steam turbine and generate electricity.

Biomass has some negative impact on the environment because it produces which causes pollution. Studies have shown that biomass from forests can produce higher carbon emissions than fossil fuels, and it also hurts biodiversity. If it is managed well, its diverse effect can be decreased.

5. Geothermal

Geothermal energy is obtained from the heat trapped in the Earth’s core which is created by the slow decay of radioactive particles in rocks at the center of the planet. For this purpose, deep wells are drilled to bring highly heated water to the surface and that water is then used as a hydrothermal source to rotate turbines, and electricity is produced. To make this renewable resource greener, the hot water and steam can be pumped back to earth to lower emissions to the possible level.

Geothermal energy is mostly available in geographical locations like Iceland with a rich and ready supply of geothermal resources.

6. Tidal

In this type of renewable energy, the energy is obtained from the tides of the sea. The tide is generated by the constant gravitational pull of the moon. For this purpose, tank-like structures are constructed on the sea sides or beach, and the water from the tide enters the tank through a hole. The turbine or generator is placed there in the hole, which rotates by entering and outing water to the tank and back to sea. The power generated by the tide may not be constant, but it is reliable, making this a relatively new resource of renewable energy.

 

Benefits of Renewable Energy

The advantages and benefits of renewable energy are numerous and affect the economy, environment, national security, and human health. Here are some of the benefits and advantages of using renewable energy:

·         It enhances the reliability, security, and resilience of the nation’s power grid

·         It increases job creation throughout renewable energy industries 

·         It reduces carbon emissions and air pollution from energy production

·         It increases the energy independence of a nation

·         Renewable energy increases affordability, as many types of renewable energy are cost-competitive with traditional energy sources

·         It expands clean energy access for non-grid-connected or remote, coastal, or islanded communities

·         Renewable energy is environment friendly and it is mostly free from all types of pollution.