Renewable energy is often thought of as the sun's light, wind movement, or water movement. All of these sources are renewable and many are sustainable. But what exactly does renewable energy mean? And what's its impact on the environment? For a better understanding, here is a quick definition.
Natural resources
Renewable energy is an alternative energy source that relies on natural processes such as the heat and motion of the earth, and the sun's radiation to create energy. Other than solar and wind energy there are other renewable resources like hydroelectricity or geothermal. They are also considered natural resources and their use is governed by laws.
Biomass is another natural resource that can be used for creating renewable energy. Biomass is organic material made from plants and animals. Photosynthesis converts biomass energy into chemical energy. Even though biomass is very expensive, experts believe its cost will drop as more fossil fuels become available.
Sources for renewable energy
Renewable energy can come from many different natural resources. Hydropower is the most popular source of electricity. It relies on stable rainfall patterns. This energy source is susceptible to climate-induced droughts and changes within ecosystems. In addition to this, infrastructure that is required for hydropower could cause ecosystem damage. Scientists are working to find other sources of renewable energy. These include bioenergy and ocean power. Biomass is made of various organic materials like wood, charcoal, manure and other agricultural residues. Ocean energy, which uses the thermal energy and kinetic energy in seawater to generate electricity, can also be an option.
In many countries, renewable electricity will become a major source in the coming decades. India for example is planning to generate at minimum 40% of its energy using renewable sources by 2030. This is a great step in the correct direction.
Environment and the impact of renewable energies
Both the environment, and the economy benefit from renewable energy initiatives. They make use of local materials and labor and create jobs and revenue for local companies. They also help communities by saving fuel and improving the quality of life. For example, hydropower projects can help communities by creating a trust fund to invest electricity sales revenue back into the community. This trust fund helps communities invest in small businesses while improving their health and living standards.
Renewable energy has many environmental impacts. They vary depending upon the source. Biomass is the most polluting source of renewable energy, and its processes cause a lot more air pollution. Pollution from solid waste is one of the main causes of air pollution. Solar and wind energy, in contrast, produce minimal pollution. The construction of solar or wind facilities, however, can still cause environmental damage.
Renewable energy costs
In the last 10 years, the cost of large-scale photovoltaic projects has fallen by 85%. Costs for both onshore and offshore wind power has also fallen. In Europe, the cost of installing solar and wind farms has dropped by 56% over the same period. Additionally, renewable energy has become more affordable than traditional fossil fuels thanks to the new carbon prices. The cost of renewable energy should be lower than that of coal-fired plants by 2020.
Solar energy is among the most cost-effective renewable energy sources. For more than a decade, solar energy has been the best-known source of electricity generation. According to the International Energy Agency's report 2021, solar PV and wind are the most cost-effective forms of electricity generation in many markets. Renewable energy is therefore a more sustainable way to generate electricity.