Renewable Energy – Why we need it in 2023, Science says?

An introduction to renewable energy and its importance – The globe is quickly becoming a global village because of the daily rise in energy consumption by everyone, even if the earth will never change in its physical shape. To support human social and economic progress, well-being, and health, there is an increasing demand for energy and related services. 

For fundamental human necessities, including health, lighting, cooking, space comfort, movement, and communication, as well as generating processes, all businesses need energy services. It is often known as clean energy and originates from naturally occurring processes or sources that are continuously renewed. For instance, even if their availability varies with the seasons and weather, sunshine, and wind continue to shine and blow.

The obstacles that the energy industry must overcome to move toward a sustainable future include securing the supply of energy and lowering the amount of energy that contributes to climate change. On the other hand, if attempts are made to change the present energy systems, we can avoid its detrimental effects. 

The main advantage of these sources is their ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the generation of energy using fossil fuels, thereby slowing down global warming. According to the literature, sustainability may be progressively attained by substituting fossil fuels with renewable energy sources such as bioenergy, geothermal energy, hydropower, wind, and ocean energy.

Types of renewable energies

Renewable sources include bioenergy, hydroelectric power, geothermal energy, solar energy, wind energy, and ocean energy (tides and waves) that replenish themselves naturally inside the ground. Due to the world’s growing population and rising energy needs, fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas) are still used extensively.

However, this has led to problems, including the depletion of fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions, ongoing military and geopolitical conflicts, and fluctuations in fuel prices. These problems will lead to unsustainable circumstances, which might pose an irrevocable danger to human society. However, the most amazing substitute and the only way to address the escalating problems is through renewable sources.

Hydropower Energy

Water moves from high to low levels to generate energy in hydropower facilities, producing electricity by turning turbines. Hydro technical projects include dam reservoirs, run-of-river, and in-stream projects. Hydroelectric tanks have various applications, including managing droughts and floods.

Wind Energy

Wind power is a significant renewable source globally, with high energy density in several locations. Large or offshore wind turbines generate it and are vital to mitigating climate change.

Tide and Wave Energy 

Wind creates waves on the ocean’s surface. Higher wind speeds result in bigger waves and more wave energy. Ocean energy can produce over twice the world’s energy consumption.

Bio Energy

Bio-energy is a renewable energy source derived from organic matter like agricultural and animal waste and forest byproducts. It can be used for cooking, heating, transportation, and power generation. Biodiesel is a common bio-energy fuel.

The main advantage of bio-energy is that the fuel is often a byproduct or residual product, preventing competition between fuel and food production. This makes it a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional energy sources.

Geothermal Energy

It is the energy produced by the thermal energy that the earth contains. Industries directly employ the thermal energy extracted from natural hot springs and volcanoes to heat water and other uses.

Top Ten Countries Using Renewable Energy

S.No.	Country Name	Percentage
1	Iceland	86.87%
2	Norway	71.56%
3	Sweden	50.92%
4	Brazil	46.22%
5	New Zealand	40.22%
6	Denmark	39.25%
7	Austria	37.48%
8	Switzerland	36.72%
9	Finland	34.61%
10	Colombia	33.02%

Advantages

• Renewable energy never depletes as it replenishes naturally. For example, solar energy is always available as long as the sun exists.
• It is globally available and dependable, unlike limited and unevenly distributed fossil fuels.
• It is environmentally friendly as it is naturally created and doesn’t cause pollution or ozone depletion
• Such alternated sources need less maintenance than non-renewable. Turbines at wind farms and hydropower plants don’t need external mechanisms to rotate their parts. Though expensive to install, they offer lifetime benefits.

Disadvantages

• Such sources such as solar cells cannot be relied on in unfavorable weather conditions due to their dependence on meteorological factors.
• It is less efficient than conventional energy due to equipment requirements for transforming each energy form into electricity.
• Renewable energy installation requires considerable space and expensive storage.

What are the future aspects of renewable energy and sources in India?

If we take the example of the emerging power India has made significant strides in generating renewable energies in recent years through various ambitious initiatives, aspirational targets, and strategic plans. In 2022, the government made a deliberate effort to expedite the production of such alternatives, manufacture solar equipment, and build energy storage facilities to achieve its target of generating 500 GW by 2030.

In recent years, India has dramatically increased its efforts to generate it through bold initiatives, aspirational goals, and strategic plans. In 2022, the government made a concerted effort to accelerate the production of renewable energy, solar equipment manufacturing, and energy storage facilities to meet its 2030 objective of 500 GW generation.

The solar business is now growing faster than others. To meet its RE ambitions, the country must focus on other industries, including onshore and offshore wind and green hydrogen, while maintaining or accelerating this expansion. The vast area and extensive coastline present an excellent chance to harvest wind energy and increase its proportion in the nation.

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