What is Renewable Energy ?

By -

Renewable energy, also known as non-conventional energy, refers to energy that comes from natural resources that are continually replenished and sustainable over time. These resources are either infinite or naturally replenished on a human timescale. Key renewable energy sources include:

  • Solar energy: Energy harnessed from the sun through photovoltaic cells or solar thermal technology.
  • Wind energy: Energy captured from wind using turbines to generate electricity.
  • Biomass: Organic materials such as agricultural waste, wood, and other plant matter that can be converted into energy.
  • Small-hydro: Small-scale hydroelectric power generation systems utilizing the flow of water.
  • Biogas: A renewable source created from the decomposition of organic waste.
  • Energy storage systems: Technologies that store energy for later use, such as batteries and flywheel systems.
  • Pumped hydro storage: A large-scale energy storage method using water reservoirs to store potential energy.
  • Nuclear energy: Though not typically classified as renewable, nuclear energy provides a low-carbon energy source.

Using renewable energy helps to reduce reliance on fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas, and minimizes carbon footprints caused by coal-based thermal power plants, large hydroelectric dams, and fossil-fuel-powered vehicles. The transition to renewable energy can significantly contribute to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, a key driver of climate change.

Global Overview of Renewable Energy Sources

  1. Solar Energy: Solar energy is one of the most abundant renewable resources and can be converted into electricity or heat. Its growing adoption is driven by decreasing costs and increasing efficiency.

  2. Wind Energy: Wind power is harnessed by wind turbines, and it's one of the fastest-growing renewable energy technologies. Major installations are found in countries like the U.S., China, and Germany.

  3. Hydro Energy: Hydroelectric power is the most widely used renewable energy source globally, leveraging flowing water in rivers or reservoirs to generate electricity.

  4. Biomass Energy: Biomass energy involves burning or converting organic material to produce electricity, heat, or biofuels.

  5. Geothermal Energy: Geothermal energy comes from heat beneath the earth’s surface and is used for electricity generation and direct heating applications.

  6. Nuclear Energy: Although not renewable, nuclear power provides a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels by utilizing nuclear fission to generate electricity.

  7. Tidal Energy: Tidal energy uses the movement of ocean tides to generate electricity, an emerging but less widely deployed technology.

  8. Pumped Storage Hydro: This is an energy storage solution that allows surplus electricity to pump water to higher elevations and release it when electricity demand peaks.

  9. Integrated Renewable Energy Systems (IRES): Systems that combine multiple renewable energy sources and storage technologies to create efficient, flexible, and resilient power solutions.

Importance of Renewable Energy

Renewable energy offers the potential to decarbonize power generation, reduce air pollution, and create sustainable and clean energy systems. Increasing global investments in renewable energy technologies will help meet future energy demands, while mitigating the adverse effects of fossil fuel use on the environment.

For more detailed information on each renewable energy technology, refer to ongoing updates on credible platforms.

Popular Posts

Recycle Marts development in urban and rural areas

By -
Image
In most of the western countries and developing countries are launching the new concept called the “ Recycling Malls ” in major cities and towns across their countries. The main objective of the recycle mart is to sell the used products (ex: used plastic, glass, paper, etc.). This is an innovative way of making things and helping in reducing environmental pollution in the surroundings across the globe.   There are different kinds of pollutions that are generated effecting Air, Water, Land, Food, Sea, Ocean pollutions. It is damaging the EARTH gradually and impacting directly and indirectly that are highly toxic and increase the scope of new harmful viruses etc.   Issue: Wastes are different types that are generated in the world which is mostly produced by man. Anything that is produced excess and unable to control is added into pollutant list. The recycling plants are getting adopted across the globe with different techniques, methodologies and Strategic ways in collection
Read more

World’s Largest Single Rooftop solar power plant in India

By -
Image
Solar panels installed on the roof with a capacity of 11.5 MW in Punjab state in India India’s solar mission which has kept at a target of 175 GW and the government is trying to keep its word to generate power from all kinds of Renewable Energy Resources. As it is focused on Solar, Wind and Biomass power generation technologies. We all know that a roof is the zero cost of land and uses the space for solar panel installation. There is no requirement of a special setup is installing the solar roof. Depending upon the roof size and shading and direction of the sunlight is considered for setting up the solar panels. But, most of them have small or medium roofs that can generate in kiloWatts (kW) or Megawatt (MW) scale. In Amritsar, there is an installation od 11.5 MW capacity of a solar power plant which is completely covered with solar roof which will benefit 8000 households was built by Radha Saomi Satsang Beas (RSSB), a religious organization in Punjab. Badal along with New and Re
Read more

Solar Cell efficiency with new polymer devices

By -
Image
India is witnessing a new chapter in the growth of the renewable sector, mainly in the solar sector. Hence, any new breakthrough in the field of solar cells and solar power generation is beneficial for India. New technology is being developed in the University of Chicago within the confines of its chemistry laboratory by Professor “Luping Yu”. A new kind of solar panel was designed and manufactured which has a higher efficiency when compared with the currently running modules used for power generation. The given polymer solar cell consists of a new polymer, called "PID2". The new polymer improves the efficiency of electrical power generation by 15 per cent when added to a standard polymer-fullerene mixture. New light has been shed on solar power generation using devices made with polymers. Researchers identified a new polymer a type of large molecule that forms plastics and other familiar materials which improved the efficiency of solar cells. The group also determined th
Read more

Achieving 175 GW RE Target by INDIA With Extended 450 GW BY 2030 Ambitious Target

By -
Image
The Indian government has kept a target of 175 GW installed capacity using different renewable energy technologies in the country. Currently, the total installed capacity of the country is 367.3 GW of which thermal is 230.72 GW , Nuclear is 6.78 GW , Hydro is 45.4 GW and RE is 84.4 GW as on 31.12.2019. For the month of December 2019 the electricity generated in different power segments is 86.1 BU in thermal, 3.6 BU in Nuclear, 8.9 BU in Hydro and 9.3 BU in RE [1] . Currently, the total renewable installed capacity is 57.472 GW ( 12.5 GW of solar i.e., 21.8% and 32.3 GW of wind i.e., 56.2% ).  Depending upon the current installation frequency, we can forecast whether we can reach the target by 2022 or 2030 . MNRE is exploring with new innovative approach for increasing the capacity of renewable energy in the country and promoting them for the same. [2] Benefits with 175 GW RE target   Reduces the carbon footprints in the country and promotes renewable energy technologies;
Read more

Honda can be the Indian EV Market giant comparing to OEMs

By -
Image
Honda is one of the popular brands in the Indian automobile industry. with the Activa petrol scooter with multiple versions, the company is come up with an electric version which Indian consumers are awaiting for the same. Apart from their plans to launch the electric vehicle in the Indian market, some of the key points are strong enough for Honda can capture a great EV market share in the country. Kinetic Honda is the predecessor for Honda Activa which was a big hit in 90s.  Year wise Activa Models released by Honda:  2001,  2002,  2007,  2008,  2009,  2018,  2019,  2020,  2021 Some of the key advantages for Honda can be a great EV market giant compared with startups and OEMs due to the following: Charging facilities in service stations: As Honda has 334+ service stations [1] across various states in India, the majority of them are bigger compared to other two-wheeler service stations. So a large charging infrastructure network and facility can be developed which can provide easy ac
Read more