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. What exactly is renewable energy? What are the effects of renewable energy on the environment? Here's a quick definition to make it easier to understand.
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 also considered natural resources and their use is governed by laws.
Biomass is another natural resource which can be used to make renewable energy. Biomass is organic material produced by plants and animals. Photosynthesis is the process that converts biomass into chemical energy. Although biomass is costly, experts predict that it will decrease in value as fossil fuel prices rise.
Sources of renewable energy
Renewable energy can be produced from a variety of natural resources. Hydropower, which relies upon relatively stable rainfall patterns is the most common source for electricity. This energy source can be affected if there are climate-induced droughts, changes in the ecosystems, or other factors. The infrastructure necessary to generate hydropower can also be harmful to ecosystems. Scientists are working to find other sources of renewable energy. These include bioenergy and ocean power. Biomass consists of different organic materials, such as wood, manure or algae. Ocean energy, which uses the thermal energy and kinetic energy in seawater to generate electricity, can also be an option.
In many countries, renewable energy will become a major source and supplier of electricity over the coming decades. For example, India is targeting to generate at least 40% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. This is a great step in the correct direction.
Impact of renewable energy on the environment
Renewable energy projects are beneficial for both the environment and the economy. They are made from local materials and employ local labor. This creates jobs and generates revenue for local businesses. They also help communities by saving fuel and improving the quality of life. Communities can also benefit from hydropower projects by setting up a trust to return electricity sales revenue into the community. This trust fund allows communities to invest in small business and improves quality of life.
The environmental impacts of renewable energy are complex and vary depending on the source. The most polluting renewable energy source is biomass, and its processes create a lot of air pollution. Solid waste in garbage-to-energy power plants is a major contributor to air pollution. Solar and wind energy are more polluting. The construction of solar or wind facilities, however, can still cause environmental damage.
Costs for renewable energy
In the last 10 years, the cost of large-scale photovoltaic projects has fallen by 85%. The costs of both offshore and onshore wind power have also dropped. In Europe, the cost of installing solar and wind farms has dropped by 56% over the same period. Renewable energy is also more affordable than fossil fuels due to 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 has the lowest cost of all renewable energy sources. Solar projects have been the lowest-cost electricity generation for over a decade. 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.