Renewable energy is clean, abundant and sustainable, but it also brings its own challenges, such as intermittency, variability, cost and integration.
To overcome these problems, the sector is constantly introducing new technologies and processes to increase its cost and operational efficiency.
Fuels from green energy sources such as hydrogen, methane, ammonia and ethanol are inherently green and can be stored, transported and used for various applications such as transportation, heating and industry. Many countries are building up capacity for such fuels, and
Solar energy has some limitations as it is dependent on weather and daylight, is inefficient and requires large areas of land. Research is currently being conducted on a new type of cell made from a material called perovskite, which has high light absorption and conversion efficiency. It is cheaper, thinner and more flexible than conventional silicon solar cells and can also be integrated into other materials and devices such as windows, textiles and batteries.
Floating solar parks are gaining importance in areas with a shortage of land. Solar modules are installed on floating platforms on bodies of water such as lakes and reservoirs, saving land area and reducing water evaporation. In
Wind energy has its limitations, for example it is variable, location-dependent and visually intrusive. Offshore wind farms installed in the sea not only use the wind corridor along the sea but also reduce land use and are becoming increasingly popular. Some countries have started to integrate offshore wind farms with other marine activities such as fishing, aquaculture and tourism. According to the Offshore Wind Roadmap for
The developers have developed vertical axis wind turbines, which, unlike the traditional horizontal axis wind turbines, can capture wind from any direction and operate at low wind speeds. These are more suitable for urban and residential areas. Some cities in
As strange as it may sound, scientists have now developed bladeless wind turbines. Spanish startup Vortex Bladeless has produced a prototype that uses an elastic rod to anchor a 3m tall bladeless turbine vertically into the ground. It is designed to sway or oscillate within the wind speed range, and the resulting vibration generates energy. If successful, it could be installed in urban areas.
The performance of conventional wind turbines has steadily increased, and 20 MW turbines are now a reality. For comparison: most
The energy grid is one of the most complex infrastructures and requires rapid, real-time decisions, which utilities enable through big data and AI algorithms. In addition to grid analytics and management, AI applications in renewable energy also include electricity consumption forecasting and predictive maintenance of renewable energy sources. There are many innovations in the big data and analytics space that are making grids and power generation more efficient. Analytics companies that use machine learning to calculate historical electricity consumption and carbon dioxide emissions for renewable energy audits and weather forecasts allow consumers to observe consumption patterns in real time and enable power generators to hybridize different technologies and optimize load sizing.
Energy storage is the next stage of energy innovation. The concept of distributed energy storage systems is gaining momentum as it localizes the generation and storage of renewable energy, avoiding irregularities in production. Based on economic and other requirements, companies offer a range of solutions with and without batteries.
Sea and ocean waves are a perpetual source of energy and several companies are working to harness this 24/7 form of energy. An Irish start-up has developed Modular Wave Energy Converters (WECs), which are buoys on the surface connected to linear generators resting on the seabed. The moving waves power the buoys, generating electricity. As an island nation
Bioenergy is another area where energy is generated from biomass. Sugarcane and corn, which are also used as food, are limited in their large-scale use. Companies are now producing bio-oil from genetically modified algae. Considering that algae only need air, water and sunlight to grow, this technology also closes the loop between greenhouse gas emissions and fuel production.
