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Renewable Energy and Clean Energy Technology Adoption: How Does it Work?

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INTRODUCTION

For centuries, power production in Africa and many countries worldwide has predominantly relied on burning fossil fuels. This was not a problem until its devastating effects on the climate and humans by extension were discovered. During the combustion of fossil fuels, nitrogen oxides and huge amounts of carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere, contributing to the formation of acid rain and trapped greenhouse gasses. The results of all activities involved in the combustion of fossil fuels are extreme weather conditions, land degradation, ocean acidification, and air pollution.

Renewable and clean energy is man's way of paying for his sins and an attempt to rectify the consequences of using fossil fuels on Mother Nature. This article contains details of what renewable energy is and how adoption of this kind of energy works.

Understanding Renewable Energy and Clean Technology

Renewable energy harnesses natural resources that are replenished continuously, such as sunlight, wind, and water. Unlike finite resources like fossil fuels, renewables offer a sustainable solution to meet our energy needs without harming the environment or depleting precious resources. Moreover, renewable energy sources are replenished at a much faster rate than they are consumed. Clean energy, closely related, functions by generating electricity without causing harmful environmental effects, such as emitting greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide. Much clean energy is also sustainable, including wind, certain hydro sources, and solar power generation.

Clean energy and renewable energy are often used interchangeably, but a subtle difference lies between the two. Renewable energy is hinged on the fact that it can be replenished, however, clean energy is purely defined as energies that do not negatively affect the environment. Although most renewable energies are clean, there are a few that negatively affect the environment when in use. A simple example is Biomass. When biomass is burned it emits harmful greenhouse gasses - the same produced during the combustion of fossil fuels. Conversely, clean energies are not always renewable. For example, nuclear power is a clean energy source, but the materials used in its production are finite.

There are a handful of energy sources that provide us with the benefit of being clean and renewable. Examples of these include Marine energy, Hydropower, Geothermal energy, Wind energy, and Solar energy.

Types Of Renewable And Clean Energy

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In a bid to protect the earth and preserve it for future generations, countries all over the world are making efforts to utilize other sources of energy that do not release greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. The first 3 sources of energy are both renewable and clean energy; the fourth and fifth are both renewable but not clean and the last energy source is clean but not renewable.

  1. Solar Energy: This is the most abundant of resources when it comes to renewable and clean energy. Solar power harnesses sunlight using photovoltaic cells to generate electricity. These cells convert sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. Additionally, solar thermal systems use mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight into a small area, generating heat to produce steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity. Solar energy is abundant, which means it has the potential to meet global energy demands several times over. Advancements in technology have made solar panels more efficient and affordable which makes it very much affordable, even at the family and individual units.
  2. Wind Energy: Wind power harnesses the kinetic energy of wind to generate electricity through wind turbines. These turbines consist of blades that capture wind energy and convert it into rotational motion, which drives a generator to produce electricity. Wind energy is clean, abundant, and renewable, making it a crucial component of the transition to sustainable energy systems. However, wind power generation can be variable and intermittent, dependent on wind speed and consistency. To mitigate this, wind farms are often located in areas with consistent wind patterns, and advancements in energy storage technologies are improving the reliability of wind power. Currently, it is the largest form of renewable energy in the United States contributing more than 10% to the total U.S electricity needs.
  3. Geothermal Energy: Geothermal power harnesses heat from the Earth's interior to generate electricity or provide heating and cooling. This heat can be accessed through geothermal reservoirs, where hot water or steam is extracted from deep underground and used to drive turbines for electricity generation or directly for heating applications. Geothermal energy is abundant and reliable, providing a constant source of renewable energy regardless of weather conditions. However, its utilization is limited to areas with accessible geothermal resources, such as geologically active regions with volcanic activity or hot springs.
  4. Biomass Energy: Biomass energy utilizes organic materials, such as wood, agricultural residues, and waste, to generate heat, electricity, or fuel. It can be burned directly for heat or converted into biofuels through processes like fermentation or gasification. Biomass energy is considered renewable because the organic materials used can be replenished through sustainable practices. However, the sustainability of biomass energy depends on factors such as land use, resource availability, and carbon emissions. Sustainable biomass production involves utilizing waste materials and dedicated energy crops while avoiding deforestation and competition with food crops.
  5. Hydroelectric Energy: Hydroelectric power generates electricity by harnessing the gravitational force of flowing or falling water. Dams are built to create reservoirs, and water is released through turbines, which drive generators to produce electricity. Hydroelectric energy is a mature and reliable source of renewable energy, accounting for a significant portion of global electricity generation. It offers flexibility in electricity production, as the flow of water can be adjusted to meet demand. However, the construction of large dams can have significant environmental and social impacts, including habitat disruption, displacement of communities, and alteration of river ecosystems. Hydropower accounts for 27% of Nigeria's electricity production and 17% of electricity production in Africa.
  6. Nuclear Power: Nuclear power involves generating electricity from nuclear reactions, typically by using uranium or plutonium as fuel. The process involves splitting atoms in a controlled manner (nuclear fission) to release heat, which then generates steam to drive turbines and produce electricity. While nuclear power isn't renewable because it relies on finite resources like uranium, it's considered clean because it produces minimal greenhouse gas emissions during operation compared to fossil fuels. However, nuclear power does pose challenges related to radioactive waste disposal, safety concerns, and the potential for nuclear accidents. Overall, it's a complex energy source with both benefits and risks.

Adoption of Clean Energy in Africa

Three facts are pivotal to Africa's rate of adoption of clean energy.

  1. In 2019, the International Energy Agency reported that more than 600 million individuals in Africa lack electricity, while an additional 900 million people are unable to obtain clean cooking energy.
  2. By 2050, Africa is projected to have a population of 2 billion, with two out of every five children globally being born on the continent
  3. Renewable energy sources are abundant in Africa. The president of the African Development Bank said that Africa possesses vast untapped potential in solar energy, with an estimated capacity of 11 terawatts (TW), and abundant hydroelectric resources totalling 350 gigawatts (GW), of which only 5-6% are currently utilized, wind energy potential reaching 110 GW, with only two per cent currently harnessed, and geothermal energy sources estimated at 15 GW.
IllustrationSource: International Renewable Energy Agency (2013), based on the Global Atlas.

For very obvious reasons, it is paramount that Africa actively takes steps to cater to the energy needs of its citizens and the ones yet unborn. The growing population in Africa begs a dire need for the quick development of clean energy sources in Africa, or else we'll be forced to utilize fossil energy sources - what the continent has always known.

Regardless of the current energy poverty in Africa, there is a growing adoption of the use of clean energy sources. For instance, several nations, like those in West Africa led by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), have implemented energy transition initiatives, outlining specific goals for both access to energy and renewable energy capacity by 2030. However, there are a few barriers seriously affecting the use of renewable energy in Africa.

  1. Financial Barrier:
    Africa faces significant financial barriers hindering the widespread adoption of renewable energy. Limited access to capital, high upfront costs, and perceived investment risks deter investors from funding renewable energy projects. The high upfront costs associated with investing in renewable energy sources make it an unattractive business model to producers who would like to maximize profit as much as they can. Moreover, the lack of financial mechanisms such as subsidies, tax incentives, and favourable loan terms further exacerbates the challenge. Also, unreliable revenue streams and economic fluctuations in some African countries deter long-term investments in renewable energy projects.
  2. Policy and Legal Barrier:
    Inconsistent or inadequate policy frameworks and regulatory environments pose substantial barriers to renewable energy development in Africa. Weak policy support, unclear regulations, and bureaucratic red tape create uncertainty for investors and developers, discouraging investments in renewable energy projects. Additionally, the lack of enforcement mechanisms and ineffective governance increases the problem, leading to non-compliance and legal disputes.
  3. Poor Implementation/Technical Barriers:
    Poor implementation capacity and technical barriers present significant challenges to the deployment of renewable energy technologies in Africa. Inadequate infrastructure, lack of or minute technical expertise, and insufficient maintenance capacity hinder the efficient operation of renewable energy systems. Furthermore, the intermittent nature of some renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, requires sophisticated grid management and energy storage solutions, which are often lacking in many African countries.
  4. Over-Reliance on Traditional Means of Energy Generation:
    Africa's overreliance on traditional means of energy generation, such as fossil fuels and biomass, poses a significant barrier to the transition to renewable energy. Despite the continent's abundant renewable energy resources, including solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal, outdated infrastructure and entrenched interests in the fossil fuel industry impede progress towards a cleaner energy future. Moreover, the social and economic dependence, especially in African oil-producing countries, on traditional energy sources perpetuates energy poverty and exacerbates environmental degradation and health issues.

Conclusion

Africa has a long way to go in creating a good environment that would foster the adoption of renewable and clean energy sources. There is an imminent need for a clear and comprehensive adoption strategy and its implementation to prevent impending environmental disasters. Collaboration between governments, businesses, and international organizations with a focus on policy, investment, and the building of infrastructure is crucial for success.

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