Sustainable Energy Projects: Practical Insights

Sustainable Energy Projects

Practical Insights

Sustainable Energy Projects

Practical Insights

By

Amitabh Bhosale

Sustainable Energy Projects

Practical Insights

Amitabh Bhosale

ISBN - 9789361523137

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Preface

This book on sustainable energy projects is a descriptive stock of different kinds of energy like green and renewable energy. This book tells us about sustainable development and different sustainable development goals.

This book has also included a list of fascinating sustainable energy projects in the upcoming years and the previous years.

In the end, this book contains a large list of the various advantages and disadvantages of sustainable energy projects to give the readers a clear conception of the same.

Hope this book energizes you with loaded information about energies.

Happy Reading!!

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 What is sustainable energy? 1

1.1 Environmental impacts 2

1.2 Sustainable development goals 3

1.3 Energy conservation 3

1.4 Sustainable energy sources 4

1.4.1 Renewable energy sources 4

1.4.2 Non-renewable energy sources 8

1.5 Energy system transformation 9

1.6 Integrating variable energy sources 10

1.7 Energy storage 11

1.8 Electrification 11

1.9 Hydrogen 12

1.10 Energy usage technologies 12

1.11 Industry 14

1.12 Conclusion 14

1.13 Questions 14

1.14 References 14

Chapter 2 Need for sustainable energy 15

2.1 What are the benefits of sustainable energy? 15

2.2 Why is sustainable energy important for our future? 16

2.3 Need For Sustainable Energy 17

2.4 Types of Sustainable Energy 18

Questions 21

References 21

Chapter 3. Sustainable Development Goals 23

3.1 What is Sustainable Development? 23

3.2 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 23

3.3 Importance of Sustainable Development 24

3.4 Why India needs to achieve the sustainable development goal? 25

3.5 Role of citizens in making Earth a cleaner and better place to live in 25

3.6 Conclusion 25

3.7 Questions 25

3.8 References 26

Chapter 4. What is a sustainable energy project 27

4.1 Indicators of Sustainable Energy Development 34

Questions 49

References 49

Chapter 5. Various sustainable energy projects 51

5.1 Various projects 51

5.2 Conclusion 60

5.3 Questions 60

5.4 References 60

Chapter 6. Green energy 61

Questions 66

References 66

Chapter 7. Why do we need sustainable projects? 67

Questions 71

References 71

Chapter 8. Renewable energy 73

8.1 What is renewable energy? 73

8.2 Drivers and benefits 74

8.3 Mainstream technologies 75

8.4 Wind power 77

8.5 Emerging technologies 80

8.6 Enhanced geothermal system 81

8.7 Passive daytime radiative cooling 82

8.8 Artificial photosynthesis 82

8.9 Earth infrared thermal radiation 82

8.10 Electrical energy storage 83

8.11 Policy 88

8.12 Full renewable energy 89

8.13 Debate 89

8.14 Nuclear power proposed as renewable energy 90

8.15 Geopolitics of renewable energy 91

8.16 Health and environmental impact 91

8.17 Renewable energy – powering a safer future 92

8.18 Conclusion 94

8.19 Questions 94

8.20 References 94

Chapter 9. Advantages of sustainable energy projects 97

9.1 Advantages 97

9.2 Conclusion 104

9.3 Questions 104

9.4 References 104

Chapter 10. Disadvantages of sustainable energy projects 107

10.1 Disadvantages 107

10.2 Conclusion 111

10.3 Questions 112

10.4 References 112

Glossary 115

Index 117

Chapter 1 What is sustainable energy?

Energy is sustainable if it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Most definitions of sustainable energy include considerations of environmental aspects such as greenhouse gas emissions and social and economic aspects such as energy poverty. Renewable energy sources such as wind, hydroelectric power, solar, and geothermal energy are generally far more sustainable than fossil fuel sources. However, some renewable energy projects, such as clearing forests to produce biofuels, can cause severe environmental damage. The role of non-renewable energy sources in sustainable energy has been controversial. Nuclear power is a low-carbon source whose historic mortality rates are comparable to wind and solar, but its sustainability has been debated because of concerns about radioactive waste, nuclear proliferation, and accidents. Switching from coal to natural gas has environmental benefits, including a lower climate impact, but may delay switching to more sustainable options. Carbon capture and storage can be built into power plants to remove their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, but is expensive and has seldom been implemented.

Fossil fuels provide 85% of the world’s energy consumption and the energy system is responsible for 76% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Around 790 million people in developing countries lack access to electricity and 2.6 billion rely on polluting fuels such as wood or charcoal to cook. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to levels consistent with the 2015 Paris Agreement will require a system-wide transformation of the way energy is produced, distributed, stored, and consumed. The burning of fossil fuels and biomass is a major contributor to air pollution, which causes an estimated 7 million deaths each year. Therefore, the transition to a low-carbon energy system would have strong co-benefits for human health. Pathways exist to provide universal access to electricity and clean cooking in ways that are compatible with climate goals while bringing major health and economic benefits to developing countries.

In proposed climate change mitigation pathways that are compatible with limiting global warming to 2 °C (3.6 °F), the world rapidly phases out coal-fired power plants, produces more electricity from clean sources such as wind and solar, and shifts towards using electricity instead of fuels in sectors such as transport and heating buildings. For some energy-intensive technologies and processes that are difficult to electrify, many pathways describe a growing role for hydrogen fuel produced from low-emission energy sources. Electrical grids require flexibility through infrastructure such as energy storage to accommodate larger shares of variable renewable energy. To make deep reductions in emissions, infrastructure and technologies that use energy, such as buildings and transport systems, would need to be changed to use clean forms of energy and also to conserve energy. Some critical technologies for eliminating energy-related greenhouse gas emissions are not yet mature.

Wind and solar energy generated 8.5% of worldwide electricity in 2019. This share has grown rapidly while costs have fallen and are projected to continue falling. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that ٢.٥٪ of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) would need to be invested in the energy system each year between ٢٠١٦ and ٢٠٣٥ to limit global warming to ١.٥ °C (٢.٧ °F). Well-designed government policies that promote energy system transformation can lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. In many cases, they also increase energy security. Policy approaches include carbon pricing, renewable portfolio standards, phase-outs of fossil fuel subsidies, and the development of infrastructure to support electrification and sustainable transport. Funding research, development, and demonstration of new clean energy technologies is also an important role of government.

The United Nations Brundtland Commission described the concept of sustainable development, for which energy is a key component, in its 1987 report Our Common Future. It defined sustainable development as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This description of sustainable development has since been referenced in many definitions and explanations of sustainable energy.

No single interpretation of how the concept of sustainability applies to energy has gained worldwide acceptance. Working definitions of sustainable energy encompass multiple dimensions of sustainability such as environmental, economic, and social dimensions. Historically, the concept of sustainable energy development has focused on emissions and on energy security. Since the early 1990s, the concept has broadened to encompass wider social and economic issues.

The environmental dimension of sustainability includes greenhouse gas emissions, impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, hazardous waste and toxic emissions, water consumption, and depletion of non-renewable resources. Energy sources with low environmental impact are sometimes called green energy or clean energy. The economic dimension of sustainability covers economic development, efficient use of energy, and energy security to ensure that each country has constant access to sufficient energy. Social issues include access to affordable and reliable energy for all people, workers’ rights, and land rights.

1.1 Environmental impacts

The current energy system contributes to many environmental problems, including climate change, air pollution, biodiversity loss, the release of toxins into the environment, and water scarcity. As of 2019, 85% of the world’s energy needs are met by burning fossil fuels. Energy production and consumption are responsible for 76% of annual human-caused greenhouse gas emissions as of 2018. The 2015 international Paris Agreement on climate change aims to limit global warming to well below 2 °C (3.6 °F) and preferably to 1.5 °C (2.7 °F); achieving this goal will require that emissions be reduced as soon as possible and reach net zero by mid-century.

The burning of fossil fuels and biomass is a major source of air pollution, which causes an estimated 7 million deaths each year. Fossil-fuel burning in power plants, vehicles, and factories is the main source of emissions that combine with oxygen in the atmosphere to cause acid rain. Air pollution is the second-leading cause of death from non-infectious diseases. An estimated 99% of the world’s population lives with levels of air pollution that exceed the World Health Organization’s recommended limits.

Cooking with polluting fuels such as wood, animal dung, coal, or kerosene is responsible for nearly all indoor air pollution, which causes an estimated 1.6 to 3.8 million deaths annually, and also contributes significantly to outdoor air pollution. Health effects are concentrated among women, who are likely to be responsible for cooking, and young children.

Environmental impacts extend beyond the by-products of combustion. Oil spills at sea harm marine life and may cause fires that release toxic emissions. Around 10% of global water use goes to energy production, mainly for cooling in thermal energy plants. In dry regions, this contributes to water scarcity. Bioenergy production, coal mining and processing, and oil extraction also require large amounts of water. Excessive harvesting of wood and other combustible material for burning can cause serious local environmental damage, including desertification.

In 2021, UNECE published a lifecycle analysis of the environmental impact of numerous electricity generation technologies, accounting for the following: resource use (minerals, metals); land use; resource use (fossils); water use; particulate matter; photochemical ozone formation; ozone depletion; human toxicity (non-cancer); ionizing radiation; human toxicity (cancer); eutrophication (terrestrial, marine, freshwater); ecotoxicity (freshwater); acidification; climate change.

1.2 Sustainable development goals

Fig 1.1 World map showing where people without access to electricity lived in 2016—mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and the Indian subcontinent.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/People-without-electricity-country-2016.svg/450px-People-without-electricity-country-2016.svg.png

Meeting existing and future energy demands in a sustainable way is a critical challenge for the global goal of limiting climate change while maintaining economic growth and enabling living standards to rise. Reliable and affordable energy, particularly electricity, is essential for health care, education, and economic development. As of 2020, 790 million people in developing countries do not have access to electricity, and around 2.6 billion rely on burning polluting fuels for cooking.

Improving energy access in the least-developed countries and making energy cleaner is key to achieving most of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, which cover issues ranging from climate action to gender equality. Sustainable Development Goal 7 calls for access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, including universal access to electricity and clean cooking facilities by 2030.

1.3 Energy conservation

Fig 1.2 Global energy usage is highly unequal. High-income countries such as the United States and Canada use 100 times as much energy per capita as some of the least developed countries in Africa.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Energy_use_per_person_2019_-_OWID.svg/450px-Energy_use_per_person_2019_-_OWID.svg.png

Energy efficiency—using less energy to deliver the same goods or services, or delivering comparable services with fewer goods—is a cornerstone of many sustainable energy strategies. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has estimated that increasing energy efficiency could achieve 40% of the greenhouse gas emission reductions needed to fulfill the Paris Agreement’s goals.

Energy can be conserved by increasing the technical efficiency of appliances, vehicles, industrial processes, and buildings. Another approach is to use fewer materials whose production requires a lot of energy, for example through better building design and recycling. Behavioral changes such as using videoconferencing rather than business flights, or making urban trips by cycling, walking, or public transport rather than by car, are another way to conserve energy. Government policies to improve efficiency can include building codes, performance standards, carbon pricing, and the development of energy-efficient infrastructure to encourage changes in transport modes.

The energy intensity of the global economy (the amount of energy consumed per unit of gross domestic product (GDP)) is a rough indicator of the energy efficiency of economic production. In 2010, global energy intensity was 5.6 megajoules (1.6 kWh) per US dollar of GDP. United Nations’ goals call for energy intensity to decrease by 2.6% each year between 2010 and 2030. In recent years this target has not been met. For instance, between 2017 and 2018, energy intensity decreased by only 1.1%. Efficiency improvements often lead to a rebound effect in which consumers use the money they save to buy more energy-intensive goods and services. For example, recent technical efficiency improvements in transport and buildings have been largely offset by trends in consumer behavior, such as selecting larger vehicles and homes.

1.4 Sustainable energy sources

1.4.1 Renewable energy sources

Fig 1.3 Growth of renewables was 45% larger in 2020 compared to 2019, including a 90% rise in global wind capacity additions (green) and a 23% expansion of new solar photovoltaic installations (yellow).

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/2011-_Renewable_energy_capacity_-_International_Energy_Agency.svg/450px-2011-_Renewable_energy_capacity_-_International_Energy_Agency.svg.png

Renewable energy sources are essential