Wiktor Wise
Electricity from renewable sources is an increasingly important topic as the world transitions away from fossil fuels to combat climate change. Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass, are naturally replenished and produce little to no greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, the cost of renewable energy technologies has decreased significantly, making them more competitive with traditional fossil fuels. As a result, renewable energy sources have rapidly expanded their share of global electricity production, with some countries already generating over half of their electricity from renewable sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main types | Solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity, geothermal energy, biomass |
| Main motivation for use | Slowing and stopping climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions |
| Carbon emissions | Much lower than fossil fuels |
| Air pollution | Much lower than fossil fuels |
| Noise pollution | Lower than fossil fuels |
| Global electricity generation in 2023 | 29% |
| US electricity generation in 2023 | 21% |
| UK electricity generation from coal | Down from over 50% in the 1980s to a couple of percent |
| Global electricity generation projection by 2030 | 65% |
| Global electricity generation projection by 2050 | 90% |
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What You'll Learn
Solar power
Solar panels are typically made from silicon or other semiconductor materials. When exposed to sunlight, these materials release electrons and produce an electric charge. This charge creates an electric current, known as direct current (DC), which is captured by the wiring in the solar panels. An inverter then converts the DC electricity into alternating current (AC), which is the type of electrical current used in standard wall sockets.
There are two main types of solar energy technologies: photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP). PV systems are the more commonly recognised form, with solar panels utilising PV cells to absorb sunlight and generate electricity. CSP, on the other hand, uses lenses, mirrors, or tracking systems to concentrate sunlight and generate heat, which is then used to produce electricity through conventional steam-driven turbines.
The adoption of solar power offers several advantages. Firstly, it helps reduce the cost of electricity and contributes to a more resilient electrical grid. Secondly, solar energy creates jobs, spurs economic growth, and can provide backup power during outages when paired with storage solutions. Additionally, solar power is a clean energy source that does not produce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, making it an essential tool in the fight against climate change.
Various countries and organisations have recognised the potential of solar power and are actively working towards its integration. For example, the UK government aims to increase solar generation by up to 70 gigawatts by 2035, while the US Department of Energy's Solar Futures Study envisions a significant role for solar energy in decarbonising the country's power grid.
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Wind power
Wind energy is not a new concept. The ancient Egyptians used wind power to propel their boats along the Nile River. The first wind turbines, or windmills, were made from materials such as wood or reeds, woven into tight blades to spin and pump water for farms, grind grain, and eventually power entire communities.
Today, wind turbines use modern materials and technology to generate clean, renewable energy almost anywhere in the world. Wind turbines, like windmills, catch the wind's energy with propeller-like blades. These blades can have a horizontal axis, like a fan, or a vertical axis, like a merry-go-round. The most common design features a tall tower with three large blades on a horizontal axis. The wind's force turns the blades, which run a generator and create clean electricity.
Land-based wind energy plants with multiple wind turbines working together can provide power to the electric grid. The majority of turbines are installed on land, and land-based wind energy is one of the lowest-cost sources of electricity generation. Wind energy is particularly well-suited for agricultural and multi-use working landscapes, and it is easily integrated into rural or remote areas, such as farms, ranches, or coastal and island communities.
Offshore wind energy is a newer industry, but it holds great potential. Offshore wind turbines can be affixed to the seafloor or float on a platform on the ocean surface. These turbines must be designed to withstand tough ocean storms and damage from saltwater. America's first offshore wind farm, located off the coast of Rhode Island, began operating in December 2016. Several other projects are in development along the U.S. East Coast and West Coast.
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Hydroelectricity
The use of hydropower to generate electricity has a long history. Thousands of years ago, people used hydropower to turn paddle wheels on rivers to grind grain. Before steam power and electricity were available, grain and lumber mills were powered directly by hydropower. The first industrial use of hydropower to generate electricity in the United States was in 1880 at the Wolverine Chair Factory in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The first hydroelectric power plant to sell electricity opened in 1882 on the Fox River near Appleton, Wisconsin.
Hydroelectric power plants are typically located on or near a water source, such as a river or reservoir. The volume of water flow and the change in elevation, or "head," determine the amount of energy available in the moving water. The greater the water flow and the higher the head, the more electricity a hydropower plant can produce.
There are two main types of hydroelectric systems: run-of-the-river systems and storage systems. In run-of-the-river systems, the force of the river's current applies pressure to a turbine, which may be diverted by a weir in the waterway. In storage systems, water accumulates in reservoirs created by dams and is released through hydro turbines as needed to generate electricity. Pumped-storage hydropower facilities, a type of storage system, pump water from a water source up to a reservoir at a higher elevation. The water is then released from the upper reservoir to power turbines located below.
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Geothermal energy
Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydroelectricity, geothermal energy, and biomass, are widely used to generate electricity. In most countries, solar or onshore wind power is the cheapest form of new-build electricity. From 2011 to 2021, renewable energy grew from 20% to 28% of the global electricity supply, and it is projected to reach over 45% by 2030.
Geothermal electricity generation is currently used in 26 countries, while geothermal heating is in use in 70 countries. As of 2019, the worldwide geothermal power capacity amounted to 15.4 gigawatts (GW), of which 23.9% (3.68 GW) was installed in the United States. With further advancements, geothermal energy could potentially power more than 65 million US homes by 2050.
Geothermal power is considered a sustainable and renewable source of energy because the heat extraction is small compared to the Earth's heat content. The greenhouse gas emissions of geothermal electric stations are significantly lower than those of conventional coal-fired plants. As a source of renewable energy, geothermal energy has the potential to meet 3 to 5% of global demand by 2050, and with economic incentives, it is estimated that it could meet 10% of global demand by 2100.
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Biomass
However, the use of biomass as a renewable energy source is not without debate. While biomass offers advantages in reducing carbon emissions and providing a controllable and available energy source, similar to fossil fuels, there are ecological concerns about its supply chain. To ensure sustainability, it is crucial to source biomass feedstocks responsibly to prevent issues like deforestation and habitat disturbance.
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Frequently asked questions
The International Energy Agency defines renewable energy as "energy derived from natural processes that are replenished at a faster rate than they are consumed". Solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity, geothermal energy, and biomass are widely agreed to be the main types of renewable energy.
The main motivation to use renewable energy is to slow and eventually stop climate change, which is mostly caused by greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels. Renewable energy sources emit little to no greenhouse gases and other pollutants, improving public health and reducing air pollution.
Sources of renewable energy include solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, biomass, and nuclear power.
In 2023, about 21% of electricity in the US came from renewable sources. On a global level, about 29% of electricity comes from renewable sources. The percentage of electricity from renewable sources varies across countries, with some countries generating over half or even all of their electricity from renewable sources.
