The traditional forms of renewable energy, such as non-commercial biomass, geothermal heat and water power, have been with mankind since life started. Conversion into secondary energy is relatively new and is escalating now, driven by concern about the depletion of fossil fuel resources and environmental concerns about pollution, climate change and global warming. The different renewable energy sources are in varying stages of development. Below we take a look at 4 of the most common renewable energy technologies:
Hydro power
Hydro power is a mature generating technology. Although not the largest renewable primary source, which is biomass, hydropower is the largest renewable source of electricity. At 15.9% hydro power currently has a slightly larger share than nuclear power which has 13.5%. Hydro power is the most important renewable energy source for the generation of electricity.
Wind power
Wind power is fast becoming a mature energy source. With an increase in scale of deployment and greater grid interconnectivity, wind power is no longer on the fringes of the renewable energy world. Whilst no grid system could rely on wind power alone, there are increasing periods of time where countries that deploy large-capacity wind generation systems see 100% of their energy sourced from renewable (wind) energy.
Solar photovoltaic energy
Deployable in grid-connected as well as distributed- and micro-generation installations, Solar PV electricity generation is growing thanks to a reduction in cost of the panels themselves, combined with increased efficiencies and technological advancements. Much like wind energy, no grid system can rely on solar power for 100% of its energy needs, however, as storage technology also continues to develop, we’re seeing a growing market for these renewable sources of energy.
Solar thermal energy
Among the most promising areas of the world for the deployment of Solar Thermal Energy generation are the South-Western United States, Central and South America, Africa, the Middle East, the Mediterranean countries of Europe, Iran, Pakistan and the desert regions of India, the former Soviet Union, China and Australia. Solar thermal power uses direct sunlight, so it must be sited in regions with high direct solar radiation.
In many regions of the world, one square kilometre of land is enough to generate as much as 100-200 GWh of electricity per year using solar thermal technology. This is equivalent to the annual production of a 50 MW conventional coal or gas-fired power plant.
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