Renewable energy: What is it and how is it better for the world?

Renewable energy is energy derived from natural and renewable sources such as sunlight, seawater and wind. Nonrenewable energy on the hand, is energy that is derived from fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. Unfortunately, when fossil fuels are burned to produce energy greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide are also emitted. Renewable energy sources do not emit as much harmful gases and toxins into the environment, when they produce energy.

According to the United Nations renewable energy is now cheaper than non-renewable energy in many countries, and generates up to three times more jobs than fossil fuels. A few examples for sources of renewable energy include solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, hydropower, ocean energy and geothermal energy.

Out of the renewable energy sources, solar energy is the most abundant, as sunlight is widely available across the world, and solar energy can be harnessed even in mild weather and in temperate countries.

Solar energy generating systems can deliver heating, cooling, natural lighting, electricity, and fuel for many household, commercial and industrial equipment and machinery. The technology in these systems convert sunlight into electrical energy through photovoltaic panels or through mirrors that concentrate solar radiation.

Wind energy or wind power is created by harnessing the kinetic energy of air by using large onshore or offshore wind turbines. While wind energy has been used for a very long time, the technology to produce wind energy has constantly evolved especially over the last few years, to maximise the electricity produced.

Much like solar energy there is potential to generate wind energy all across the globe. But the regions that are best for harnessing wind power are remote areas with a high wind speed.

Geothermal energy is derived from the thermal energy which can be found under the earth, and heat is extracted from geothermal reservoirs. According to the UN reservoirs that are naturally sufficiently hot and permeable are called hydrothermal reservoirs, whereas reservoirs that are sufficiently hot but that are improved with hydraulic stimulation are called enhanced geothermal systems.

Fluids of various temperatures are used to generate electricity and the technology used to generate geothermal energy has been around for more than 100 years.

Hydropower uses the energy of moving water from higher elevations to lower elevations, through reservoirs, rivers and dams. While reservoir hydropower plants rely on stored water in a reservoir, river related hydropower plants harness energy from the flowing water or currents of a river.

According to the UN, hydropower currently is the largest source of renewable energy in the electricity sector. It relies heavily on rainfall, and unfortunately droughts and changes in weather patterns can negatively impact hydropower systems.

Ocean energy relies on technology that uses the kinetic and thermal energy of seawater to produce electricity or heat. This includes the waves and ocean currents. Ocean energy systems are still being developed and many research studies and experiments are being conducted to explore the possibilities of ocean energy, which has a lot of potential across the globe.

Bioenergy is produced from organic materials such as wood, charcoal, manure and other organic materials which can be used for heat and electricity production. The waste generated from agricultural crops on the other hand, can be used to produce liquid biofuels. Bioenergy sources are generally used in rural or remote areas for cooking, heating and lighting.

Bioenergy too emits greenhouse gases but at much lower levels when compared to fossil fuels. However, the UN advises that bioenergy should limited and used only in certain areas as the greenhouse gases and other toxins emitted can be harmful to the environment and people.

According to the UN fossil fuels are the largest contributor to global climate change, accounting for almost all greenhouse gas emissions and carbon dioxide emissions, across the world. This is why the UN set sustainable development goals for 2030 and 2050, in order to help the world transition from non-renewable energy to renewable energy and reduce the worst impacts of climate change and environmental pollution.

Countries across the world, need to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and invest more in alternate, renewable energy sources which are clean, accessible, affordable, sustainable, and reliable.

Renewable energy sources are available in all countries, and their potential has not been fully realised yet. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that 90 percent of the world’s electricity can come from renewable energy sources by 2050.

Renewable energy offers countries a way out of import dependency, by allowing them to diversify their economies. They will also not be vulnerable to the unpredictable price increases and decreases of fossil fuels. Renewable energy also drives inclusive economic growth, increases job opportunities and alleviates poverty.

Renewable energy actually is the cheapest option for electricity and energy in many parts of the world today. According to the UN, electricity from renewable sources could provide 65 percent of the world’s total electricity supply by 2030. Moreover, renewables could decarbonise 90 percent of the energy sector by 2050, and this could make massive cuts in carbon emissions and making a positive impact in climate change.

Although solar and wind energy costs are high and the UN expects these prices to remain high next year as well (2023), when compared with pre-pandemic levels, these options are still cheaper than the prices of natural gas and coal, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Renewable energy is also much healthier, and according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), more than 13 million deaths around the world each year are due to avoidable environmental causes, such as air pollution.

Unhealthy fine particles, nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide originate mainly from the burning of fossil fuels. According to the UN, air pollution from fossil fuels in 2018, caused US$2.9 trillion in health and economic costs—about US$8 billion a day.

Moreover, the IEA estimates that the transition to renewable energy will lead to an overall increase in energy sector jobs. Around 5 million jobs in fossil fuel production could be lost by 2030, but an estimated 14 million new jobs would be created in the clean energy industry.

Energy related industries such as manufacturing electric vehicles, and electric appliances and equipment could create more jobs, so therefore the UN estimates that around 30 million or more jobs could be created through clean, renewable energy.

Moreover, according to the UN around US$5.9 trillion was spent on subsidising fossil fuels in 2020, through explicit subsidies, tax breaks and so on. In comparison, around US$4 trillion a year needs to be invested in renewable energy until 2030 including investments in technology and infrastructure for the world to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

According to the UN more efficient and reliable technology in renewable energy can reduce market shocks and improve economic resilience and energy security for both developing and developed countries.

Out of the renewable energy sources, solar energy is the most abundant, as sunlight is widely available across the world, and solar energy can be harnessed even in mild weather and in temperate countries.