SOC 3101: Society, Technology

and Engineering Ethics

Lecture on Renewable Energy

 What is renewable Energy?
• Renewable energy is form of energy from a source that is not depleted
when used.
• Renewable energy comes from sources that will run out in our lifetimes.
This energy drives from replenishable natural sources like sun, wind etc.
Sources of Renewable Energy

• Solar energy
• Wind energy
• Hydro-energy
• Geo-thermal energy
• Biomass energy
 Solar energy
• Sun is the source of almost all energy and it is the major and free source of
energy.
• The amount of solar energy that reaches to the earth’s surface in one hour is
more than the planet’s total requirement in one year.
• Solar energy varies on the basis of time, geographical location, seasonal
variation.
Wind energy
It is a plentiful source of clean energy. This source of energy is widely
used for the generation of electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic
energy of the wind into mechanical power. A generator converts
mechanical power into electricity.
Hydro energy
• As a renewable energy source hydro energy is one of the most
commercially developed sources of energy.
• Using the flow of the water electricity can be generated.
• This source is much reliable than solar and wind energy.
 Geothermal energy
• Geothermal energy is heat derived within sub-surface of the earth. Water and
steam carry the geothermal energy to the earth’ surface.
• This source covers a significant share of electricity like Iceland, El Salvador, New
Zealand, Kenya, Philippines. More than 90% heating demands in Iceland is met
by this source.
 Biomass energy
• Biomass is the use of organic materials to generate energy.
• Biodiesel- made from vegetable oil, animal fat. It reduces the pollution from diesel engines.
• Solid waste- 1 ton rubbish has much heat than 500 pounds of coal.
• Bioethanol: This alcohol based bio fuel is made fermenting plants.
• Landfill gas and biogas- when manure and agricultural wastages are put into high
temperature, it rots more quickly. Then gas is captured and used as fuel.
Economic Impacts of renewable
energy
• Increased use of renewable energy has helped to reduce costs
associated with the consumption of fossil fuels, including fuel imports
and environmental and health impacts.
• Reducing emission of pollutants in air, overall health costs reduced
due to use of renewable energy.
• Livelihoods is protected while using renewable energy which may be
hampered by using non-renewable energy sources creating
environmental issues. Renewables also have helped to create jobs
worldwide, with global employment in the sector reaching an
estimated 8.1 million in 2015 (excluding large-scale hydropower),
according to IRENA.
Environmental impact
• According to IRENA, an estimated 3.1 gigatons (Gt) of CO2-equivalent
(CO2-e) of emissions was avoided worldwide in 2012 through the use of
renewable electricity (primarily hydropower); total global emissions
would have been 20 % higher if not for renewable-based power
generation.
• At the end of 2015, renewable energy’s share of global electricity
production was an estimated 23.7 %, with hydropower accounting for
about 16.6 %.
• In Europe, around 388 megatons (Mt) of gross avoided CO2 emissions in
2013, up from an estimated 326 Mt in 2012. In 2014, Germany alone
avoided an estimated 153.9 Mt of CO2 through the use of renewable
energy.