What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy is energy that is constantly renewed by natural resources. Resources such as solar, wind, hydraulic, biomass and geothermal energy can be used unlimitedly. Once these resources are depleted, like fossil fuels, they cannot be fulfilled. In addition, renewable energy sources are environmentally friendly and help combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, renewable energy sources are increasingly used for power generation.
Which Technologies Will Be Used in Energy Generation in the Future?
Many technologies can be used for energy production in the future. While the use of renewable energy sources is increasing, there are also developments in energy storage and distribution technologies. Here are some of the possible technologies to be used in energy generation in the future:
Solar Energy:
Solar energy is the process of generating electricity or heating energy using light and heat energy from the sun. Solar energy is a renewable energy source, as the sun is an inexhaustible source of energy that constantly emits energy.
Solar energy is collected through devices such as solar panels or solar collectors. Solar panels consist of photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert the sun’s light into electrical energy. These cells capture photons from sunlight and produce an electric current. This electrical current provides electrical energy that can be used in homes, workplaces or industrial facilities.
Solar collectors, on the other hand, can heat water or air by collecting the heat energy of the sun. This heated water or air can be used to supply or heat domestic hot water.
Solar energy is an environmentally friendly energy source. Compared to fossil fuels, greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution are much lower during solar energy production. It is also important for energy security as solar energy sources are locally available.
Solar power systems can be applied at a variety of scales, ranging from small home systems to large-scale solar farms. With technological developments, solar energy efficiency has increased and its costs have decreased. This has led to the widespread use of solar energy.
Solar energy will continue to be one of the most widely used energy sources in the future. With the developed technologies, the efficiency of solar panels will increase and solar energy storage technologies will develop further.
Wind Energy:
Wind energy is the process of generating electrical energy using the kinetic energy of the wind. Wind energy is collected through facilities called wind turbines or wind farms.
Wind turbines usually consist of large bladed rotors placed on a high tower. Wind turbines produce mechanical energy thanks to rotors that rotate under the influence of the wind. This mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy with the help of a generator. The generated electrical energy is transported to the places where it will be used via transmission lines.
Wind energy is a renewable energy source because wind is constantly formed and is considered an inexhaustible resource. In addition, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions during wind power generation are very low, making it an environmentally advantageous energy source.
Wind power plants are usually installed in open fields or coastal areas because wind speed and continuity are higher in these regions. Wind energy is an increasingly used resource in electricity generation and has gained an important place in energy portfolios.
With the technological developments, the efficiency of wind turbines has increased and larger and more efficient turbines have been developed. This reduced the costs of wind energy production and made it widespread.
Wind energy is widely used around the world and will be of great importance in the future. The efficiency of wind turbines will increase and larger and more efficient turbines will be developed.
Hydraulic Energy:
Hydraulic energy is the process of generating electrical energy using the potential and kinetic energy of water. This type of energy is obtained through hydroelectric power plants that operate with the flow or fall of water.
Hydroelectric power stations are usually built on dams or streams. In dams, water is collected behind a reservoir (dam lake) and released in a controlled manner. As the water moves down the dam, it turns the turbines. This rotational motion converts mechanical energy into electrical energy with the help of a generator. Obtained electrical energy is transmitted to consumption points via transmission lines.
Hydraulic energy is a renewable energy source because water is constantly replenished and is considered a sustainable resource. In addition, greenhouse gas emissions during hydraulic power generation are very low and it is an environmentally friendly energy source.
The size of hydroelectric power plants depends on factors such as the volume of water resources and the flow rate. Large-scale hydroelectric power plants can generate large amounts of electricity with large reservoirs and high-capacity turbines, while small-scale hydroelectric power plants can operate on streams with smaller structures.
Hydraulic energy plays an important role in energy production and is a widely used resource around the world. In addition to providing energy, hydroelectric power plants can provide benefits such as water resource management, flood control and irrigation. However, due to the effects of hydraulic energy projects on aquatic ecosystems and fish populations, their environmental impact can also be controversial issues that need to be considered.
Hydraulic energy is used to generate electrical energy through dams and streams. This energy source will be used more in the future as it is renewable.
Biomass Energy:
Biomass energy refers to the energy obtained from biological sources. Biomass is substances of biological origin such as plants, animal waste, forest products, agricultural residues and organic wastes. These biological materials go through various processes for energy production.
Biomass energy production is generally accomplished through two basic processes:
Biomass Combustion: Biomass combustion is the process of obtaining energy by direct combustion of biomass material. Biomass fuels can be obtained from sources such as waste wood, agricultural residues, bark, energy crops and waste. When burned, these biomass are used to generate heat and sometimes electrical energy. This process can be carried out in facilities such as biomass combustion plants or industrial heating systems.
Biogas Production: Biogas is a gas mixture formed as a result of the decomposition or fermentation of organic materials. This gas mixture usually consists of methane and carbon dioxide. Organic sources such as biomass waste, livestock manure, plant residues or sewage sludge can be used for biogas production. Biogas is used to generate energy, especially for electricity and heat generation. Biogas production is usually carried out in biogas plants.
Biomass energy is a renewable energy source because biomass is constantly renewable and sustained by biological cycles. In addition, greenhouse gas emissions during biomass energy production are generally low because the gases produced during biomass combustion or biogas production originate from biological processes and are obtained from the natural degradation of biomass waste.
Although biomass energy offers many advantages for power generation, there are some challenges that need to be carefully addressed, such as sustainable sourcing and waste management. Access to efficient and sustainable biomass resources
Biomass energy is produced by converting biological wastes into energy. This energy source can be used sustainably by recycling waste.
Geothermal Energy:
Geothermal energy is the process of producing energy through the direct use of hot rock and water resources within the earth or the use of heat energy obtained from these sources. The word geothermal is derived from the Greek words “geo” (ground) and “thermos” (hot).
Geothermal energy originates from high temperature regions underground. Underground are deep regions with layers of magma or high-temperature rocks. In these hot regions, groundwater is also heated and kept under high pressure.
Geothermal energy can be used in two main ways:
Geothermal Electricity Generation: High temperature groundwater or steam is brought to the surface via geothermal wells. This hot water or steam rotates in turbines on the surface, producing mechanical energy. Mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy by means of a generator. Geothermal electricity generation generally represents the large-scale use of geothermal energy and provides electrical power.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling: Geothermal energy can also be used in heating and cooling systems. Geothermal water or steam can be used to heat or cool buildings via heat pumps. Geothermal heating and cooling systems save energy by utilizing constant temperatures underground and offer an environmentally friendly heating/cooling option.
Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source because the heat inside the earth is constantly replenished and is considered an inexhaustible resource. In addition, greenhouse gas emissions during geothermal power generation are very low, making it an environmentally advantageous energy source.
Geothermal energy is used in many active volcanic regions around the world and in areas where underground hot water resources are intense. However, underground resources and appropriate techniques must be found in order to use geothermal energy.
Geothermal energy is obtained by using natural hot resources on earth. While this energy source is widely used in hot regions, it may be used more in the future.
Fuel Cells:
Fuel cells energy is a type of energy based on a technology that converts chemical energy directly into electrical energy. Fuel cells generate electrical energy from fuel-rich gases such as housing and oxygen, or liquid electrical energy.
Fuel cells contain a layer of particles for electrical energy output from electrochemical reactions between two electrodes. Fuel fuel electrodes are called anode and cathode. The fuel creates electrons and ions by exposing the electrodes on the electrodes at the anode. Oxygen, on the other hand, has a volatile effect on the electrodes at the cathode. Electrons formed as a result of these electrochemical effects flow through a circuit and provide electrical energy.
It comes in different types, in fuel powers. The most common viruses:
Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Hydrogen fuel cells generate electrical energy using Line of Flight gas. Hydrogen is decomposed into ions and electrons as it leaves the cells at the anode of fuel consumption, while oxygen gas is reduced at the cathode. Such fuel cells are considered a clean energy source because they do not produce any centralized emissions other than water vapor.
Methane Fuel Cells: Methane fuel cells generate electricity using methane gas. Methane is burned at the anode, and breathing gases are formed as it decomposes into earth thoughts and electrons. Oxygen is reduced at the cathode. Meta fuel cells can be used to generate energy containing methane, such as natural gas.
Fuel consumption energy is considered a clean, efficient and sustainable energy source. Fuel cells provide thermal energy and mechanical operating temperatures while generating electrical energy, thus providing low temperature, low maintenance power and high efficiency. Also, some fuel cells, such as Cells fuel cells, can be used as long-range vehicles and energy storage systems, as they operate using the Guardian gas.
Fuel cells produce electricity using hydrogen and are seen as a cleaner energy source. Fuel cells are a technology that can be used in many areas from cars to electronic devices used in homes.
Energy Storage Technologies:
Energy storage technologies are methods used to store energy for a certain period of time and then release it when needed. These technologies are used to balance the time gap between energy demand and energy production, regulate power fluctuations, provide uninterrupted power and manage energy efficiently. Here are some common energy storage technologies:
Batteries: Batteries are devices that store and release energy through chemical reactions. There are various types of batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, and nickel-metal hydride batteries. Batteries have a wide range of uses, from small-scale portable devices to large-scale energy storage systems.
Supercapacitors: Supercapacitors are devices that store energy through electrostatic interactions rather than electrochemical reactions. They can be charged and discharged at high speed so they are used to meet fast energy demands. Supercapacitors are used in power-intensive applications (for example, fast-charging electric vehicles) and energy storage systems.
Pumpable Hydraulic Storage: In this technology, energy is used to raise water. During periods of low demand, water is pumped into a high-point reservoir, and during periods of high demand, the water generates energy by driving turbines with the power of gravity.
Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES): CAES is a technology that stores energy as compressed air. During periods of low demand it is used to keep the air compressed, and during periods of high demand the compressed air generates energy by driving turbines.
Superconductivity Energy Storage: Superconductivity energy storage is a technology that stores high-density energy using superconducting materials. Superconductivity energy storage systems can store and release energy through electromagnetic induction.
Energy storage technologies help to use renewable energy sources efficiently. Large-scale battery storage systems, hydroelectric energy storage and hydrogen storage technologies are storage technologies that will be used more widely in the future.
These technologies will lead the transformation in energy production.
