Renewables
Besides solar energy and photovoltaic technology, a number of renewable energy sources have been harnessed in recent decades as a means of combating climate change and cleaning the air around us. With a growing awareness of the environment and an impetus provided by conferences such as Kyoto, governments are now drawing up legislation designed to promote the growth of the renewable energy sector. There are several ways in which electricity can be generated using renewable sources…
Wind
Wind farms have become a more common sight over recent years, utilising the movement of air to turn turbines and generate electricity. The power output of a wind turbine depends on the speed of the wind passing through it and is the reason for high wind speed sites being chosen for the wind farms. These sites are generally either high altitude or are based offshore to guarantee maximum exposure to wind speed levels. Denmark has become a world leader with regards to offshore wind with 19% of its power being generated this way, however, other countries are catching up and wind power is becoming an increasingly popular renewable energy source around the world. Large swathes of land in Spain are now being used for the erection of turbines and in Germany, wind farms are now being used to generate electricity for large urban areas. Although there has been some objection to wind farm’s, generally that they are a visual blight on the landscape, politicians and environmentalists alike agree that they could prove to be an extremely effective way of combating climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Biomass
Biomass energy is produced through the utilisation of biological matter for the production of biofuel or simply to generate electricity. The growing interest and awareness in renewable energy has seen the growth of the biomass industry worldwide as there are a variety of biological materials which can be used and are not limited to specific geographical areas like fossil fuels. The burning of organic material of course releases carbon into the atmosphere but because the material is still a part of the carbon cycle, it is seen as a natural way of releasing the CO2 and Methane into the atmosphere without upsetting the natural equilibrium of the air. In the United States, there are several working, commercial examples of biomass energy production which are proving successful in reducing fossil fuel emissions. The New Hope Power Partnership is currently the largest biomass plant in the US and generates 140MWH using sugar cane and wood to generate enough electricity to supply around 60,000 homes.
Hydro
Hydroelectric power generation is seen as an attractive way of generating electricity as it produces no waste material. Relying on the downward force of water, hydroelectric facilities have become a common site in the form of dams. While hydroelectricity accounts for over sixty per cent of the world’s renewable power generation, some environmentalists have criticised the substantial human effects that dam construction has on the environment. Nevertheless, hydroelectricity has been and will continue to be an effective means of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and help governments reach green targets. In history, dammed hydroelectric plants have been used by specific industries to generate their own electricity in upland areas with supplies of water. Once the initial cost of the investment in hydroelectric plant construction is completed, industries are able to save money through the eradication of the need for fossil fuels which are becoming both scarcer and more expensive. There are also a number of hydroelectric plants around the world which are capable of supplying electricity into the national grid.
