Renewable Energy
Ξ September 11th, 2008 | → | ∇ General |
Renewable Energy: This Source of energy is Gaining Ground
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Renewable energy technologies are frequently criticized for being intermittent or unsightly. In spite of this the market is growing for many forms of renewable energy. Wind power is growing at the rate of 30 percent annually. Wind power is widely used in several European countries and the United States.
The majority of renewable energy technologies are directly or indirectly powered by the sun. The hydrosphere (water) absorbs a major fraction of the incoming radiation. Most radiation is absorbed at low latitudes around the equator; however this energy is dissipated around the earth as wind and ocean currents. Wave motion may play some role in the process of transferring mechanical energy between the atmosphere and the ocean. Solar energy from the atmosphere is partly responsible for the distribution of precipitation which is tapped by hydroelectric projects, and for the growth of plants used to create biofuels.
Renewable energy is energy generated from the world’s natural resources. Renewable resources are things such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat. Such resources are renewable (naturally replenished). Renewable energy technologies include wind power, solar power, hydroelectricity, biomass, micro hydro, and biofuels.
Our recent changes in climate concerns along with high oil prices, and increasing government support are causing more renewable energy legislation, incentives and commercialization. European Union leaders reached an agreement in principle, in March 2007 that 20 percent of their nations’ energy should be produced from renewable fuels. Their goal is by 2020, as part of its drive to cut emissions of carbon dioxide, blamed in part for global warming.
In 2006, about 18% of global final energy consumption came from renewable energy supplies. This percentage will be continuously gaining because of the increase use of renewable energy supplies. Both big and smaller countries are in on the act. If oil prices keep escalating it will probably drive even more use of alternative energy sources to be used.
There are many large-scale renewable energy projects and production in the world. That does not take away from the fact that renewable technologies are also suited to small off-grid applications. Sometimes it is used in rural and remote areas, where energy is often crucial in human development. Kenya has the world’s highest household solar energy ownership rate. There are roughly 30,000 small (20-100 watt) solar power systems sold per year there.
The investment capital that flowed into renewable energy climbed from $80 billion in 2005 to a record $100 billion in 2006. This level of investment combined with continuing double digit percentage increases each year has moved what once was considered alternative energy to the mainstream. Wind was the first to provide 1% of electricity, but solar energy is not far behind. With continuing boosts in efficiency in solar cells and cost reductions, the future looks much better than in previous years for solar energy.
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