Introduction to the Renewable Energy Resources

Non-renewable energy sources

Thermal and electrical energy are the most dominant forms of energy which enable the functioning of modern civilization. Using advanced technological processes by applying certain converter these types of energy can be converted into other forms of energy. It is important to state that heat and electricity are today dominantly derived from non-renewable sources of energy. Under the term of non-renewable energy sources one considers all potential carriers of some form of energy that were once created, but cannot be restored at the moment. Such energy sources are fossil fuels (oil with its derivate, coal, natural gas) and nuclear fuels (fission).

Two main problems with non-renewable sources of energy are their quantity and distribution. Reserves of fossil fuel reserves are extremely limited and rapidly decreasing in quantity, due to a massive consumption all over the world. The use of non-renewable energy system created dependencies, so that countries that depend on imported fossil fuels are in subordinate positions. The pollution of the environment becomes enormous problem due to heavy usage of fossil fuels. Combustion of fossil fuels, especially those based on oil and coal, is the most likely cause of global warming, thus creating the so-called. greenhouse effect caused by carbon dioxide, sulfur and nitrogen compounds. is one of the most serious threat to the Earth's ecological system is endangered due to the change of climatic conditions. On the other hand, the use of nuclear energy, which is considered to be clean technology, in the event of a disaster can lead to extremely high contamination with enormous consequences for man and the environment. In addition to this, disposal of radioactive waste represents serious problem. Even though use of renewable energy sources can greatly reduce the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, it is practically impossible to exclude non-renewable sources of energy, due to the heavy dependence of the modern industrial complexes.

Renewable energy sources

Renewable energy sources are inexhaustible natural form of energy that is all around us. Under the concept of renewable energy are considered energy sources that are found in nature and reproduced in whole or in part. Renewable energy sources can be classified into two main categories: traditional renewable energy sources (for instance biomass and hydropower plants, and the "new renewables" (for instance solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, etc). It is interesting to notice that in the year 2006, renewable energy sources provide 18% of total world consumption. However, most of that energy was from traditional use of biomass. If one exclude conventional renewable energy sources, it is not very complicate to derive that the so-called "new energy" contributes with only 2.4% of total world consumption. If we decompose this figure, we obtain 1.3% are water heating solutions, 0.8% in electricity production and 0.3% for biofuels. We have to carefully plan are future, giving the fact that non-renewable sources are being exhausted, and their detrimental effect has significantly increased in the last few decades. Sun delivers 15 thousand times more energy than mankind in this stage, but still, we use just a tiny part of this amount. This is indication that renewable sources should be exploited more efficiently and that we could hope to the better future even if fossil fuels disappear.

Development of renewable energy sourcess

Development of renewable energy sources (especially from sun, wind, water and biomass) is important for several different reasons: - Renewable energy sources play extremely important role in the process of reduction of emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. Reducing emissions of CO2 in the atmosphere not only is the policy of the European Union and United States, but also all over the globe. - increasing the share of renewable energy sources increases energy system sustainability. It also contributes to the improvement of the delivery of energy security by reducing dependence on imports of raw materials and electricity. - it is expected that renewable energy sources will become economically competitive with conventional energy sources in the medium to long term.

Under the technologies that are considered to be economically competitive, one can include solar energy, wind energy, small hydroelectric and biomass. Other technologies are dependent on market demand in order to become economically viable compared to conventional energy sources. It should be noted that the process of adopting new technology tends to be very slow. The main problem that process of adopting renewable technologies Increased energy production from renewable sources is the result of environmental awareness of the population, which despite initial non-profitability install facilities for the production of so-called clean energy. For instance, the European Community had a strategy of doubling the use of renewable energy sources by the year 2010 compared to the year 2003. Consequently, contribution of renewable energy was increased to 12% in 2010. The plan contained a number of measures to encourage private investment in facilities for the conversion of renewable energy into usable energy. In addition to this, European Union (EU) have set another ambitious goal to increase the share of renewable energy to 20% of the overall EU energy consumption by 2020.