By William Loughlin –
‘Renewable technologies are considered clean sources of energy, optimal use of these resources minimise environmental impacts’ [1]. With increasing threats of climate change is renewable energy (RE) really up to the task of filling our insatiable thirst for energy? Furthermore, the current global energy demand being fulfilled ‘14%’ [2] by renewable energy (RE) resources such as ‘solar, hydropower, wind power, geothermal energy and bioenergy’ [2] (Image 1). How can our societies make global efforts by achieving 100% green energy in our lifetimes or is this an impossible task? This blog will explore this question to help understand the challenges and what we, as a global community, can do about them.
Figure 1: Renewable energy sources (Getty images)
To understand whether RE can uptake the full energy demand of the global community We must firstly determine the extent of current levels of (RE) and whether sources can be changed to increase the uses in the future. A paper in Energy Policies considers current rates of RE [2]. The authors researched into current rates of RE usages to determine whether future energy sources will be fully RE. They have achieved this by using archived data of percentages of RE to show the trends in outputs.
Table 1 shows (RE) levels are currently low. However it does show increasing usage over time due to new technology. Ultimately requiring increased time for new engineers to become more efficient at building these techniques therefore becoming cheaper over time. The main fact is, the primary research shown in the academic paper [2] gives decisive evidence that renewable resources are effective but are a new technology in our present. “Renewable energy (RE) offers the strongest prospect for both mitigating climate change and replacing fossil fuels.” [2]. Due to the rising RE rates shown by table 1. It could be argued that RE has been implemented into our society, during the last decade and seems at the moment, our best strategy against climate change. “However, RE sources differ in many important ways from fossil fuels, particularly in that they are energy flows rather than stocks.” [2].
Efficiency is another important factor, that must be raised in order to judge whether current RE techniques can upkeep future energy sources. The paper also researched the efficiency of the global energy network into where all RE is being put into. Asking the question, is this energy output being fully utilised? Figure 1 from [2] research paper demonstrates a visual representation of current energy output flows through a flow chart giving a visual representation of RE output efficiency.
To conclude, the research into RE future potential by looking at archival data of percentages of RE and measuring the efficiency of the global RE network proves RE is the next step. For the public, it represents a solution to fossil fuel power; cleaning our air and reducing overall climate impacts. Finally putting our minds at rest about our overall power usages effects, on our planet.
References and further reading
[1] Panwar, N.L., Kaushik, S.C. and Kothari, S., (2011). ‘Role of renewable energy sources in environmental protection: A review. Renewable and sustainable energy reviews’, 15(3), pp.1513-1524.
[2] Moriarty, P. and Honnery, D., (2016). ‘Can renewable energy power the future?. Energy policy, 93, pp.3-7.’
[3] BP, B.P., (2018). BP statistical review of world energy (2018). https://www. bp. com/en/global/corporate/energy-economics/statistical-review-of-world-energy. html (accessed on 26 Nov 21 ). Sustainability, 10(3195), p.17. [26.11.21].
[4] iStock by Getty images., (2004) Renewable resources: Biomass, Hydro, Solar, Wind stock photo. https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/biomass-hydro-solar-wind [26.11.21].
