Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
13.11.1 Problems
13.11.1.1 Costs
Still now, cost of renewable energy is higher than the other competing energy
sources. Renewable energy systems encompass a broad, diverse array of technolo-
gies, and the current status of these can vary considerably. Some technologies are
already mature and economically competitive (e.g., geothermal and hydropower),
others need additional development to become competitive without subsidies.
The developed world can make more research investments to find better cost-
efficient technologies, and manufacturing could be transferred to developing coun-
tries in order to use low labor costs. The renewable energy market could increase
fast enough to replace and initiate the decline of fossil fuel dominance and the world
could then avert the looming climate and peak oil crises. Fund from the Government
is needed for research in renewable technology, to make the production cheaper and
generation more efficient. Another mechanism is imposition of fossil fuel consump-
tion and carbon taxes, and channel the revenue earned toward renewable energy
development.
13.11.1.2 Availability and Reliability
Availability and reliability of the renewable energy is a great problem for wide
acceptance to the customers. The challenge of variable power supply may be read-
ily alleviated by energy storage. Available storage options include pumped-storage
hydro systems, batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, and thermal mass. Initial investments
in such energy storage systems may be high, although the costs can be recovered
over the life of the system.
Wave energy and some other renewables are continuously available. A wave
energy scheme installed in Australia generates electricity with an 80% availability
factor.
13.11.1.3 Aesthetics
Both solar and wind generating stations have been criticized from an aesthetic point
of view. However, methods and opportunities exist to deploy these renewable tech-
nologies efficiently and unobtrusively: fixed solar collectors can double as noise
barriers along highways, and extensive roadway, parking lot, and roof-top area is
currently available; amorphous photovoltaic cells can also be used to tint windows
and produce energy. Advocates of renewable energy also argue that current infras-
tructure is less aesthetically pleasing than alternatives, but cited further from the
view of most critics.
13.11.1.4 Environmental and Social Considerations
While most renewable energy sources do not produce pollution directly, the mate-
rials, industrial processes, and construction equipment used to create them may
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