5.3 Renewable energy technologies (solar, wind, biomass)

Renewable energy technologies are game-changers in the fight against climate change. Solar, wind, and biomass offer clean alternatives to fossil fuels, reducing our carbon footprint and dependence on non-renewable resources.

These technologies harness natural forces to generate power sustainably. From solar panels capturing sunlight to wind turbines spinning in the breeze, they provide eco-friendly solutions for our growing energy needs.

Solar Energy Systems

Photovoltaic Systems and Solar Thermal Collectors

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• Photovoltaic systems convert sunlight directly into electricity using solar panels made of semiconductor materials (silicon)
• Solar panels are composed of individual solar cells that generate direct current (DC) electricity when exposed to sunlight
• Inverters convert the DC electricity produced by solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity for use in homes and buildings
• Solar thermal collectors capture solar energy to heat water or air for space heating, water heating, or industrial processes
• Flat-plate collectors are the most common type of solar thermal collector consisting of a dark absorber plate, transparent cover, and insulated backing

Grid-Tied and Off-Grid Solar Energy Systems

• Grid-tied solar energy systems are connected to the utility grid allowing excess electricity to be fed back into the grid (net metering)
• Grid-tied systems do not require energy storage as the grid acts as a virtual battery providing electricity when solar panels are not producing enough
• Off-grid solar energy systems are not connected to the utility grid and require energy storage systems (batteries) to provide electricity when solar panels are not producing
• Off-grid systems are suitable for remote locations where connecting to the utility grid is not feasible or cost-effective

Solar Energy Storage Systems

• Energy storage systems are crucial for off-grid solar installations to provide electricity during periods of low or no sunlight (night, cloudy days)
• Battery storage systems, such as lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries, store excess electricity generated by solar panels for later use
• Thermal storage systems, such as water tanks or phase change materials, store solar thermal energy for space heating or water heating applications
• Pumped hydro storage and compressed air energy storage are large-scale energy storage options that can be integrated with solar energy systems

Wind and Hydro Power

Wind Turbines and Microhydro Power Systems

• Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of moving air into electricity using blades that rotate a generator
• Wind turbines can be horizontal-axis (traditional propeller-style) or vertical-axis (egg-beater style) designs
• Microhydro power systems generate electricity from the flow of water in rivers, streams, or irrigation canals
• Microhydro systems use a turbine and generator to convert the kinetic energy of flowing water into electricity
• Microhydro power is a reliable and consistent renewable energy source as long as there is a steady water flow

Grid-Tied and Off-Grid Wind and Hydro Power Systems

• Grid-tied wind and hydro power systems are connected to the utility grid allowing excess electricity to be fed back into the grid (net metering)
• Grid-tied systems can provide a reliable source of electricity and reduce reliance on fossil fuel-based power plants
• Off-grid wind and hydro power systems are not connected to the utility grid and require energy storage systems (batteries) to provide electricity during periods of low wind or water flow
• Off-grid systems are suitable for remote locations where connecting to the utility grid is not feasible or cost-effective

Energy Storage for Wind and Hydro Power

• Energy storage systems are important for off-grid wind and hydro power installations to provide electricity during periods of low wind or water flow
• Battery storage systems, such as lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries, store excess electricity generated by wind turbines or microhydro systems for later use
• Pumped hydro storage is a large-scale energy storage option that uses excess electricity to pump water uphill into a reservoir, which can be released to generate electricity when needed
• Compressed air energy storage uses excess electricity to compress air, which is stored in underground caverns or tanks and released to drive a turbine and generate electricity when needed

Biomass and Geothermal Energy

Biomass Energy and Anaerobic Digestion

• Biomass energy is derived from organic matter, such as wood, agricultural residues, or municipal solid waste
• Biomass can be burned directly for heat and power generation or converted into biofuels (ethanol, biodiesel) for transportation
• Anaerobic digestion is a process that breaks down organic matter in the absence of oxygen to produce biogas (methane) and digestate (nutrient-rich fertilizer)
• Biogas can be used for heating, cooking, or electricity generation, while digestate can be used as a soil amendment in agriculture
• Anaerobic digestion is commonly used to process animal manure, food waste, and sewage sludge

Geothermal Energy Systems

• Geothermal energy harnesses heat from the earth's interior for heating, cooling, and electricity generation
• Geothermal heat pumps use the stable temperature of the earth to provide efficient heating and cooling for buildings
• Geothermal power plants use steam or hot water from underground reservoirs to drive turbines and generate electricity
• Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) involve injecting water into hot, dry rock formations to create artificial geothermal reservoirs for power generation

Energy Storage for Biomass and Geothermal Systems

• Energy storage is important for biomass and geothermal systems to ensure a consistent supply of energy
• Thermal storage systems, such as water tanks or phase change materials, can store excess heat from biomass combustion or geothermal sources for later use
• Biogas can be stored in pressurized tanks or upgraded to biomethane and injected into natural gas pipelines for storage and distribution
• Geothermal energy can be stored using underground thermal energy storage (UTES) systems, which store excess heat in aquifers or boreholes for later use in heating applications