The modern world is facing many challenges. These include climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions, dwindling fossil fuel supplies, and increased energy demands. Under these conditions, the importance of renewable energy as an alternative energy source to ensure sustainable development and energy security without harming the environment is becoming increasingly clear.
What Are Renewable Energy Sources?
Renewable energy sources are natural resources that are replenished faster than the rate of consumption. These are:
- Solar energy;
- Wind energy;
- Hydropower (water power);
- Ocean energy (wave energy);
- Geothermal energy (heat energy inside the earth);
- Bioenergy (biomass energy).
They are inexhaustible and have a minimal impact on the environment when producing energy, making them a sustainable alternative to limited fossil fuels. The use of renewable energy is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and climate change to achieve a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. With their help, it is possible to reduce global dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels, increase energy security and reduce environmental impact.
Consider renewable energy sources, their features and development prospects.
Solar Energy
Solar energy is the most abundant energy resource, which makes it one of the most affordable and promising sources of renewable energy. Throughout its existence, mankind has always used solar energy in various forms. However, technical progress has made it possible to use it more actively, through solar panels and solar collectors.
Solar energy is converted into electricity using solar panels (photoelectric modules). Photoelectric (PV) cells on them, made of semiconductor material, absorb light particles – photons. The resulting flow of free electrons creates a current that is converted into alternating current by means of an inverter and is used immediately or stored in accumulators for later use.
Solar energy is converted into thermal energy using solar thermal collectors. Solar radiation heats the material, which absorbs and stores the heat. The accumulated thermal energy is further used for hot water supply of residential and industrial buildings, in heating systems, etc.
Passive solar energy (without an external element) means the use of solar radiation without any intermediate devices. An example of this is designing buildings in such a way as to maximize the use of solar energy in winter to increase energy efficiency.
Advantages of solar energy:
- Solar energy is an environmentally friendly source of energy. It does not produce greenhouse gases during use, which significantly reduces the impact on the environment compared to fossil fuels.
- It is a renewable, cheap and constant energy resource, which means that there is no danger of its shortage in the future. Solar energy is an inexhaustible source of energy for our civilization, and the possibility of its use is practically unlimited.
- Solar energy can be used wherever the sun shines, that is, practically in every part of the earth. This enables the provision of electricity even in areas where traditional power sources may be unavailable or impractical.
- Solar energy systems provide energy independence, free from ever-increasing bills and reduce electricity consumption costs.
- Although solar panels require an initial investment to install, their subsequent low operating costs and significant long-term tax savings make them a cost-effective solution.
- The solar industry creates jobs in manufacturing, installation and maintenance.
China, USA, India, Brazil, Japan, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Poland are the leading countries in the world using solar energy. Georgia has a great potential for the utilization of solar energy, however, currently only individual projects are being implemented in the country for domestic and industrial use, and small power solar power plants are also being built.
As solar technology advances, the quality and efficiency of solar panels increases. Therefore, the use of solar energy for domestic or commercial purposes is becoming more and more efficient and affordable.
Wind Energy
Wind power is another rapidly growing renewable energy source. It is obtained by using wind turbines, which convert the kinetic energy of moving air into electricity. Wind farms combine wind turbines located on land or sea in favorable wind conditions and connected to a single grid.
A wind turbine consists of wings mounted on a mast, which are attached to a shaft (rotor) that rotates under the influence of the wind. The kinetic energy generated at this time is transferred to the generator, which converts the mechanical energy of rotation into electrical energy. The electricity produced by the generator is supplied through transmission lines to the power system, storage device or isolated network of consumers.
Onshore wind power plants are located on hills or in special areas at high altitudes, while offshore wind power plants are located along the coast of the sea or ocean. Offshore wind power plants, which are built in the sea – 10-12 km away from the shore, where the wind blows regularly and its speed is significantly high, have great potential.
Advantages of wind energy:
- Wind energy does not generate greenhouse gas emissions during operation, which makes it an environmentally friendly energy source.
- Wind is an inexhaustible source of energy, unlike fossil fuels, whose supplies are limited.
- Wind energy can be used virtually anywhere the wind blows. It is especially promising to set up wind power plants in mountainous or coastal areas where the wind speed is higher.
- The use of wind energy provides energy independence and reduces electricity consumption costs.
- After the installation costs of wind turbines, their operating costs are low, which is why the use of wind energy provides a good financial effect.
- The wind industry creates new jobs in the production, installation and maintenance of turbines.
China, the United States of America, Germany, India, Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Canada and Italy lead the world in the use of wind energy.
Georgia has good potential for using wind energy. As a result of the research work, promising areas for the construction of the wind power plant have been identified. These are Poti, Kutaisi, Rustavi, Samgori, Mta Sabueti and the surrounding area of the Chorokhi River. However, the projects are still at the feasibility study or review stage. At present, only one Shida Kartli wind power plant is operating in Georgia.
The technological advancement of wind energy provides the perspective that the use of this renewable energy source as an alternative energy source will increase significantly in the future.
Hydropower
Hydropower, or water power, is one of the oldest and most widely used forms of renewable energy. Hydroelectric power stations, which use water flow falling from high altitudes in dams and turbines, provide stable and continuous generation of electricity. Water reservoirs of hydroelectric power stations can be used for various purposes, for example, for providing drinking and irrigation water, in addition to energy supply. However, the construction of hydroelectric power plants can have a negative impact on the ecosystems of rivers and reservoirs. Therefore, small hydropower plants are considered to be a more environmentally friendly option and also more acceptable to residents in remote areas.
Ocean Energy
Ocean energy is a renewable energy source derived from waves, currents and water temperature differences. Tidal energy is mainly used. As is known, the world ocean, which includes oceans and seas, occupies more than 70% of the earth’s surface. Therefore, the utilization of wave energy is quite promising. However, ocean energy systems are still in the early stages of development and are technologically more complex and expensive. Such power plants are built in France, Great Britain, USA, Canada, Netherlands and South Korea. In theory, ocean energy could exceed current human energy needs.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is another source of renewable energy that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Geothermal energy uses the heat inside the earth to generate electricity, making it a reliable and sustainable option, especially in regions with high geothermal activity. Wells are drilled to access the hot water and steam in the geothermal reservoirs, which then turn turbines to generate electricity.
Although geothermal technologies have been proven and reliable for almost 100 years, their geographic availability is limited. Iceland, home to several hundred geysers, gets more than a quarter of its electricity from geothermal energy. However, some other regions, including the South Pacific, Latin America, and the western United States, have seen a tenfold increase in the use of geothermal energy, which could make it one of the main sources of electricity.
There are currently about 250 natural and drilled thermal wells in Georgia, in which the water temperature ranges from 30 to 110 degrees. However, most of these wells are inactive and also none of them are used for electricity generation.
Bioenergy
Bioenergy is produced from various biological materials and organic waste, called biomass. Biomass is the organic waste of biological organisms, plants, animals, industrial and agricultural wastes that are used for the production of electricity, heat and biofuels.
An example of using biomass energy is obtaining heat by burning biomass (wood, sawdust, straw, etc.). Use of biogas obtained from decomposition of organic matter in anoxic environment (e.g. wetlands, special bioreactors) for electricity production or as fuel for transport, as well as use of liquid biofuel (e.g. bioethanol or biodiesel) for transport.
Considering the potential negative impact on the environment, bioenergy should only be used for limited purposes. Producing energy by burning biomass produces emissions, albeit in smaller amounts than burning fossil fuels. Biomass production is also linked to the use of forestry and bioenergy plantations and the consequent reduction of deforestation and agricultural land.
Finally, it can be said that renewable energy sources provide additional opportunities to meet the energy needs of the planet’s population. As technology advances and investments in renewable infrastructure grow, clean and sustainable energy sources will play a critical role in reducing environmental impacts, energy security, and economic growth.
In order to fully open the potential of renewable energy in Georgia, the state policy and support in this direction are crucial. Currently, the production and development of renewable energies is one of the priority directions for our country. Encouraging mechanisms for energy production from renewable energy sources are established by the state in the Law of Georgia on “Encouraging the Production and Use of Energy from Renewable Sources” and in the related resolutions. Also, the state program “Produce in Georgia” offers financial assistance to companies that produce electricity from alternative sources. This support will encourage private and public entities to invest in renewable energy, including the construction of solar farms and wind farms.
Step Energy has been working in the field of renewable energy for many years, installing solar panels, wind turbines and electric vehicle chargers for various applications, as well as implementing energy-efficient solutions.
Making the most of renewable energy sources through joint efforts will allow us to increase energy sustainability and improve the ecological situation, ensuring a cleaner, greener planet for future generations!