Renewable energy is great for the environment and people. But what exactly is it? Let’s dive into the different types of renewable energy, their benefits, and how they can be used to improve our lives, the climate, and the economy.
In this blog:
- Understanding renewable energy
- Practical uses of renewable energy
- What are benefits of renewable energy
- Utilizing renewable energy across various sectors
Understanding Renewable Energy
Renewable energy comes from natural sources that are constantly replenished, so they never run out. This includes sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, biomass, and heat from the Earth. One of the major advantages of green energy is that, unlike fossil fuels (oil, coal, and gas), which take millions of years to form and are limited, renewable energy sources are sustainable and much less harmful to the environment.
Practical Uses of Renewable Energy
Local governments can significantly cut their carbon footprint by using renewable energy. Here are some common ways to use it:
- Solar Power: Capturing sunlight with solar panels to generate electricity.
- Wind Power: Wind turbines are used to produce electricity.
- Biogas: Creating energy from gases produced by landfills and wastewater treatment plants.
- Geothermal Energy: Utilizing heat from below the Earth’s surface for power and heating.
- Biomass Energy: Burning organic materials like wood and crop waste to produce energy.
- Hydroelectric Power: Generating electricity from the flow of water in rivers and dams.
- Wave and Tidal Power: Using the movement of ocean waves and tides to generate power.
Local governments can lead by example by producing renewable energy on-site, buying green power, or investing in renewable energy projects. Using a mix of these renewable energy sources can help meet local energy needs, even in places where some resources are more available than others.
What are the benefits of renewable energy?
Renewable energy offers many advantages, highlighting the crucial role of renewable energy in the society:
1. Cleaner Air and Water
No Harmful Emissions: Renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydropower don’t produce air pollutants or greenhouse gases. This means cleaner air for us to breathe. As of 2024, renewables accounted for approximately 41.4% of India’s total installed capacity, significantly reducing air pollution and improving public health
Reduced Water Pollution: Unlike fossil fuel power plants, renewable energy systems don’t produce toxic waste or require large amounts of water for cooling, keeping our water sources clean.
For more insights, check out our blog on Observing the International Day of Action for Rivers.
2. Sustainable and Endless
Never Runs Out: Renewable energy sources are naturally replenished. The sun will shine, the wind will blow, and rivers will flow regardless of how much we use them. In 2024, India’s renewable energy capacity reached nearly 446.2 GW, with a substantial increase in solar and wind energy
Long-Term Availability: Unlike oil, coal, and gas, which are finite, renewable sources will always be available, ensuring a sustainable supply of energy for future generations.
3. Cost-Effective Over Time
Decreasing Costs: The cost of renewable energy technology, like solar panels and wind turbines, is steadily declining. 2024 solar PV prices continued to fall, making renewable energy more affordable. Solar power accounted for 67.1% of new capacity additions in the first half of 2024.
Stable Prices: Renewable energy prices are less volatile than fossil fuels, which are subject to market fluctuations and geopolitical tensions.
4. Energy Independence and Security
Local Resources: By using renewable resources available locally, communities can reduce their dependence on imported fuels, enhancing their energy security. India is working towards increasing its domestic renewable energy capacity to ensure greater energy independence.
Resilient Infrastructure: Distributed renewable energy systems, like rooftop solar panels, make energy infrastructure more resilient to natural disasters and outages.
5. Economic Growth and Job Creation
New Jobs: The renewable energy sector creates jobs in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and research, boosting local economies. In India, the renewable energy sector is expected to create millions of jobs as it expands. In 2024, renewable energy projects are expected to attract investments worth approximately $16.5 billion
India alone has the potential to create nearly 3.4 million jobs by installing 238 GW of solar power systems and 101 GW of new wind capacity by 2030.
Investment Opportunities: Growing demand for renewable energy technologies attracts investments, leading to further economic development. Investments in India’s renewable energy sector more than doubled in sequential quarters from $1,279 million in Q1 2024 to $2,614 million in Q2 2024
Provisional figures show a 2.5% increase in renewable energy generation, rising from 94.69 billion units (BUs) in 2Q 2023 to 97.01 BUs in 2Q 2024. Nuclear power generation saw a 27.9% rise, increasing from 10.22 BUs to 13.07 BUs due to the addition of 1,400MW of new nuclear capacity. Fossil fuel-based power generation grew by 12%, from 332.29 BUs to 372.28 BUs, driven by new coal power capacity and a government directive to maximize coal and gas power plant output until June 2024. Although fossil fuels still account for over 70% of total power generation, their share decreased from 79.7% in March 2024 to 75.4% in June 2024.
6. Environmental Protection
Reduced Carbon Footprint: Renewable energy significantly cuts down on carbon emissions, helping to mitigate climate change. In 2023, India’s renewable energy initiatives helped avoid approximately 2 billion tons of CO2 emissions, contributing to the goal of net-zero emissions.
Biodiversity Conservation: By reducing pollution and the need for resource extraction, renewable energy helps protect ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
7. Health Benefits
Fewer Respiratory Issues: Reduced air pollution from renewable energy means fewer cases of asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory diseases.
Around 99 percent of people worldwide breathe air that is polluted and poses a health risk, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), and more than 13 million people die from preventable environmental causes, such as air pollution, each year. Transitioning to renewable energy can mitigate these health risks.
Overall Well-being: Cleaner environments lead to healthier communities, with lower healthcare costs and better quality of life.
8. Technological Innovation
Technological innovation is one of the key advantages of renewable energy technologies.
Advancement in Technology: The push for renewable energy drives innovation and technological advancements, leading to more efficient and effective green energy solutions.
Spillover Benefits: Innovations in renewable energy can benefit other sectors, such as battery technology improvements aiding electric vehicles.
9. Flexibility and Scalability
Small to Large Scale: Renewable energy systems can be scaled to fit different needs, from small home installations to large power plants.
Versatile Applications: Renewable energy can be used for electricity, heating, cooling, and even transportation, offering versatile energy solutions.
10. Community Empowerment
Local Projects: Communities can develop their own renewable energy projects, creating local ownership and benefits. For instance, in 2024, several Indian states like Gujarat and Rajasthan led the way in renewable energy capacity expansion
The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that by 2030, renewable energy will account for 43% of the world’s electricity, up from 28.7% in 2021. Most of this growth will come from wind and solar power. Additionally, global electricity demand is expected to rise by 70% by 2040, driven mainly by countries like India, China, and those in Africa and Southeast Asia.
Utilizing Renewable Energy Across Various Sectors
Renewable energy can be utilized in various sectors to provide power and heat:
1. Buildings: In residential and commercial buildings, renewable energy sources such as solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal systems can be used to generate electricity and provide heating and cooling. Solar water heaters can supply hot water, while solar photovoltaic (PV) systems can power lighting, appliances, and other electrical needs.
2. Industry: Renewable energy can be integrated into industrial processes through the use of biomass, solar thermal energy, and wind power. These sources can provide electricity for machinery and production lines, as well as heat for processes like drying, melting, and steam generation. Renewable energy can also help industries reduce their carbon footprint and meet sustainability goals.
For more information: C & I Utility.
3. Agriculture: In agriculture, renewable energy sources can be used to power irrigation systems, greenhouses, and farm equipment. Solar energy can be utilized for drying crops and powering livestock operations, while biogas from organic waste can provide heat and electricity for farms.
4. Transport: The transportation sector can benefit from renewable energy through the use of biofuels, electric vehicles (EVs), and hydrogen fuel cells. Biofuels, derived from organic materials, can replace conventional fossil fuels in internal combustion engines. EVs can be charged using electricity generated from renewable sources like solar and wind, reducing emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. Hydrogen fuel cells, powered by renewable hydrogen, can provide a clean and efficient alternative for transportation.
By leveraging renewable energy in these sectors, we can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security, and promote sustainable development.
