Renewable energy is often thought of as the sun's light, wind movement, or water movement. These are all renewable energy sources, and most of them are sustainable. But what is renewable energy exactly? And what's its impact on the environment? This is a brief definition to help you understand it better.
Natural resources
Renewable energy is an alternative form of energy. It uses natural processes, such as heat and movement on the earth, and sun radiation to produce energy. Other than solar and wind energy there are other renewable resources like hydroelectricity or geothermal. They are considered natural resources, and laws that govern their use treat them accordingly.
Biomass is another natural resource that can be used for creating renewable energy. Biomass is organic material made from plants and animals. Photosynthesis is the process that converts biomass into chemical energy. Experts believe that biomass will become less expensive as fossil fuel prices rise.
Sources of renewable energy
Renewable energy can be made from many 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. Hydropower production can also cause damage to ecosystems because of the infrastructure needed. To address these issues, scientists are trying to develop other types of renewable energy, including bioenergy and ocean energy. Biomass can be made from various organic materials such as wood, charcoal and manure. Ocean energy can also be a viable option, as it utilizes the thermal and kinetic energy of seawater to generate electricity.
In many countries, the future will see renewable energy become a significant source of electricity. India, for example, aims to produce at least 40% of its electricity from 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 are benefited by renewable energy projects. They are local and use local labor. These projects also provide income and employment for local businesses. They are also a great way to save fuel and improve quality of life in communities. Hydropower projects, for example, can create a trust fund that will invest the electricity sales revenue back into communities. This helps communities invest and improves their quality of living.
Renewable energy can have complex and varied environmental effects, depending on its source. Biomass is the most polluting source of renewable energy, and its processes cause a lot more air pollution. A major source of air pollution is solid waste produced by garbage-toenergy power plants. Wind and solar energy, however, cause minimal pollution. However, construction of solar and wind energy facilities can still negatively impact the environment.
Costs of renewable energy
Large-scale solar projects are now more affordable than ever. Offshore wind and onshore wind power projects have also seen their costs drop. The cost of installing new wind farms and solar panels in Europe has fallen by 56% during the same time period. Additionally, renewable energy has become more affordable than traditional fossil fuels thanks to the new carbon prices. In fact, the cost of renewable energy is expected to be cheaper than the cost of coal-fired power plants by 2020.
Solar energy is among the most cost-effective renewable energy sources. Since over a decade, solar projects have been the most cost-effective 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. This makes renewable electricity a much more sustainable method of producing electricity.