New Sources of Renewable Energy and the Implications of These Technologies



New Sources of Renewable Energy and the Implications of These Technologies

Introduction

The energy that comes from natural resources is termed as renewable energy for instance, wind, sunlight, rain, waves, tides, and geothermal heat, are renewable since, at a constant rate, they are naturally replenished. Renewables accounts for around 16% of final energy consumption globally with 10% deriving from traditional biomass that is largely used for heating, while hydroelectricity comprises 3.4%. Another 3% is comprised by new renewables (modern biomass, small hydro, solar, wind, biofuels and geothermal), which are growing very rapidly. About 19% is shared by renewables in generation of electricity, with 16% of global electricity originating by hydroelectricity whereas 3% is shared by new renewables. At an annual rate of 20%, the wind power use is rising with a global 238,000 megawatts (MW)'s installed capacity at the end of 2011and is used widely in the United States, Europe and Asia. As the source of fastest growing energy, Photovoltaics passed wind, has more than doubled, since 2007, every two years. This article is intended to discuss new renewable energy and the implications of its technology.

Discussion & Analysis

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy, for all practical purposes, is regenerative or almost inexhaustible. It comprises wind energy, solar energy, hydropower, geothermal energy (heat from the earth), biomass (derived from plants), and ocean energy. Energy can be supplied by renewable energy resources for electricity generation, heating and cooling buildings, fuels for transportation, and heat for industrial processes. The enlarged usage of renewable energy could decrease the fossil fuels burning (coal, natural gas and petroleum), obviating related emissions of carbon dioxide, and air-pollution.

Important contributions are made by renewable energy to supplies of world energy. In many countries, a key provider of electrical energy is hydroelectric power, for instance: Canada, Brazil, China, Norway, Egypt, and Russia. Many people, in countries with developing economy, do not have accessibility or cannot meet the expense of petroleum fuels or electricity and that's why for their basic needs of energy, they use biomass. In Africa, most people from rura areas use scrub, wood, grass, and even droppings of beast for preparing fuel. In rural regions of these nations, small-scale technologies of renewable energy are the mere convenient source of electricity supply. The energy sources' relative consumption in the United States is indicated in the following table:

Essential Sources of Renewable Energy

Biomass: Wood, municipal refuse, residues and agricultural crops, wood and products made by paper, livestock and human manure, and manufacturing process waste are included in Biomass. It can be utilized for heating homes and buildings, producing electricity, and as a means of fuel for vehicle. Biomass residues are used by sugar mills and wood and paper manufacturers for processing of heat and electricity production. Wood, household trash and agricultural residues are burnt by power plants for electricity production. Composed of carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases, biogas is generated by decomposition of biomass in anaerobic states. Biogas is obtained from treatment plants ...