Renewable Energy Resources for Irrigation - Practices of Irrigation and On-farm Water Management - page 516

As of April 2008, worldwide wind farm capacity was 100,000 MW, and
wind power produced some 1.3% of global electricity consumption, accounting
for approximately 18% of electricity use in Denmark, 9% in Spain, and 7% in
Germany. The United States is an important growth area and latest American Wind
Energy Association figures show that installed US wind power capacity has reached
18,302 MW, which is enough to serve 5 million average households.
The renewable market will boom when cost efficiency attains parity with other
competing energy sources. Other than market forces, renewable industry often needs
government sponsorship to help generate enough momentum in the market. Many
countries and states have implemented incentives - like government tax subsidies,
partial co-payment schemes, and various rebates over purchase of renewables - to
encourage consumers to shift to renewable energy sources.
Initiative is needed such as development of loan programs that stimulate renew-
able favoring market forces with attractive return rates, buffer initial deployment
costs, and entice consumers to consider and purchase renewable technology. An
example is the solar loan program sponsored by UNEP helping 100,000 people
finance solar power systems in India. Success in India's solar program has led to
similar projects in other parts of developing world like Tunisia, Morocco, Indonesia,
and Mexico.
Also oil peak and world petroleum crisis and inflation are helping to promote
renewables. Most importantly, renewables is gaining credence among private
investors as having the potential to grow into the next big industry. Many com-
panies and venture capitalists are investing in photovoltaic development and
manufacturing.
13.11.3 Challenges and Needs
At present, the renewable energy technologies are not reachable to the doorstep
of general people; neither in terms of economic competitiveness nor in technical
easiness. A breakthrough of technology is required in manufacturing renewable
technologies (i.e., solar photovoltaic cells, wind turbine) at low lost to compete with
other nonrenewable energy sources. Development of such a technology is a chal-
lenge to the researchers. Real breakthrough of creative ideas/technologies is needed
to develop batteries at low cost/affordable prices to store electricity from renewable
sources, as these energies are intermittent in nature. Without breakthrough of such
technology, it is a challenge to go ahead and achieve a success with the renewable
energy technologies.
Relevant Journals
- Energy
- Solar Energy
- Renewable Energy