Role of Green Energy in Modern Era

Abstract

We know that the Energy is the property of objects which can be converted into different forms or can be transferred to other objects but cannot be created or destroyed. Green energy is the energy that is produced in such a way as to minimize its negative impact on the environment. It is a renewable source of energy. Sources of green energy such as solar, wind, geothermal and hydro energy are developed and promoted as alternative source that make little or no contribution to climate change. In this paper the author seeks to explore how green energy is useful for the future aspect of the world. And current application of this emerging technology, like generating electricity for various purposes, heating and cooling of water and more.

Introduction

I. INTRODUCTION

The idea of green energy is introduced in November 2006 as renewable energy standard offer program. That offer was in short called as SOP or RESOP. It introduced a 20 year feed in tariffs for hydro, wind, solar (PV) and biomass projects. The Ontario Green Energy Act (GEA), officially the Green Energy and Green Economy Act 2009 was introduced in the Ontario Legislature on February 23, 2009, to expand renewable energy production and encourage energy conservation[1]. The word ‘Green’ make our mind to think about a world without pollution and eco friendly.

So the green energy reflects the idea about generation of energy from natural resources like sunlight, wind, rain, tides, plant, algae, geothermal heat, etc. having no or less impact on the environment and can be renewed. These energy resources are renewable, meaning they're naturally replenished.

There are two types of sources of energy in the world: renewable energy sources and non-renewable energy sources. Renewable energy sources are generated directly from nature for example, from the sun, rain, wind, tides, and it is possible to generate it over and over whenever it is needed. Renewable energy sources are abundant and are definitely the cleanest energy sources in Earth. Many types of Renewable energy sources are solar energy, biomass energy, wind energy, tidal energy, hydro energy, and geothermal energy.

For instance, it is possible to use the energy from the sun and that is converted into electricity. Geothermal, wind, tides, and biomass energy from plants can also be used in different forms like Wind is harnessed from Earth's natural weather patterns. Hydropower comes from flowing rivers and from reservoirs. Solar energy comes from the Sun's light and radiation. Geothermal energy comes from the heat produced by the Earth underneath the ground.

The advantages of Renewable energy is that wind, sun, ocean, and geothermal energy is in abundance and completely free of charge. The renewable energy sources have very low or zero carbon emissions, so they are environmental friendly. The another advantage is, it is not necessary to rely on any country to supply renewable energy sources, unlike its non-renewable counterparts. Non-renewable sources are not environmental friendly and can have serious affect on our health. Most energy that is used in the world today is generated from non-renewable energy sources.

These energy sources can be re-generated over a short period of time. Natural gas and oil are derived from ancient plant or animal remains or fossils. These remains are what we have been left with after millions of years of fluctuation in pressure and temperature. Non-renewable energy sources include oil, coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy. The advantage of non-renewable energy sources are it is ready, cheap, and easy to use.

The non-renewable energy convert one non-renewable energy type to another. The major disadvantage of non-renewable energy sources is that they are finite and will expire sometime in the future. This will make the prices of these non-renewable energy sources increase dramatically. They also cause severe environmental changes and are in a large way responsible for climate change and global warming. Non-renewable energy sources can have a serious impact on human health, as they are certainly not environmental friendly.

Thus in this paper we discuss about different types of green energies, its advantages and applications.

II. GREEN ENERGY

Green energy comes from natural sources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, plants, algae and geothermal heat. These energy resources are renewable, meaning they're naturally replenished. The different types of renewable energy technologies include: Solar energy, Marine energy, Wind energy, Hydropower, Bio-energy, Geothermal energy etc.

There are various renewable energy technologies, which include hybrid and related technologies. These are effectively used for: · Storing energy generated through renewable energy · For predicting renewable energy supply · Assisting in efficient delivery of energy generated by means of renewable energy technologies to energy consumers.

III. CONCEPT

Our Traditional energy sources, such as fossil fuels have a big role in creating the effect of global warming and climate change to the earth and this makes us to create a subway to overcome these problems by introducing the concept of Green Energy. The primary goal of developing Green sources of energy is to generate power and also to minimize both waste and pollution, so that we can reduce the impact of energy production on environment. Scientist who favoured the use of green energy said that we can reduce the rate of climate change by using such sources. In contrast to fossil fuel sources these sources are renewable. The concept of Green Energy most oftenly considered when it comes to the issues such as cogeneration, heating and electricity. These sources can be purchased by the consumers or businesses as a means to support to support living which is environmental friendly, by reducing bad impacts of energy production. Today energy certificate or renewable energy certificate can be purchased to support the use of green practices. It is estimated that more than 35 million European homes and 1 million American homes are currently using Green Certificates that symbolizes their use of Green Energy. Ultimately, green energy is clean energy.   

IV. USES OF GREEN ENERGY

There are many options of using renewable energy at residential or commercial spaces. Most common form of renewable energy comes from sunlight or solar energy. One can get solar panels installed in residential and commercial spaces where sunlight is available in plenty. Other places where wind is in abundance may raise wind turbines to generate renewable energy. The energy thus gotten can be used for pumping water and or for charging sailboat battery. Biomass is another very popular renewable energy source. It is used for producing electricity and also used as a transportation fuel. The use of biomass as a renewable form of energy is commonly known as bio-energy. Geothermal energy on the other hand, taps the internal heat of the Earth for a variety of uses, including cooling and heating of buildings and electric power production. Marine energy is yet another very important renewable form of energy. It comes from a variety of sources including tidal energy and energy generated from the ocean’s waves, driven from both tides and winds.

V. TYPES OF GREEN ENERGIES

A. Solar Energy

Sun is a huge source of solar energy which provides energy to all the living creatures on earth. It is renewable and clean source which produce almost about 10,000 times more energy than earth can produce in 21st century. We can use this solar energy as green energy as it is the most suitable renewable energy source which is giving us energy directly and indirectly such as hydro, wind, etc. and having the least impact on the environment as it not taking part in increasing the carbon dioxide and does not lead to global warming in any way.

1. Solar Photovoltaic (PV): Solar energy is directly converted into electricity by using photovoltaic cells. This technology is relatively new, as the solar cell was only first successfully developed in 1975. Solar cells use light energy from the sun to generate electricity through the photoelectric effect. They are arranged in such away so that they can capture as sunlight as possible. Photovoltaic modules are the components of the PV system which are arranged in a way so that we can use them in some particular applications. While the majority of initial system capital cost may be attributed to the PV array, it is the “balance of the system” components that most affect reliability, efficiency and safety of the overall installation. Using Photovoltaic modules the sunlight converted into direct current (DC). This direct current is then converted to alternating current (AC) through an inverter and adjusted to meet the power characteristics of the utility grid or the load.

2. Solar Thermal: Solar Thermal refers to the utilization of the heat energy from the sun. Firstly, solar radiation can be absorbed in solar “collectors” to provide solar space or water heating at relatively low temperatures. In large-scale applications, solar radiation can be concentrated by parabolic mirrors to provide high temperatures, which may then be used either for direct heating purposes or to generate electricity. For example: via a conventional heat engine. In solar thermal power plants we concentrate the solar radiations on a small area to produce high temperature output. The steam which is produced through this heat is then allowed to fall on turbine- generator to produce electricity. This system is hybridized and sometimes also used as a storage system so to use it when sunlight is not available. Common solar thermal power systems include:

a. Parabolic Trough Systems: In Parabolic Trough system a mirror are used which is parabolic trough-shaped, in order to focus sunlight on a receiver tube. This is carrying a heat transfer fluid generally oil or water. This fluid is then heated up and pumped through heat exchangers to produce steam. This heat is then used to run turbine-generators to produce electricity. This Parabolic trough technology is currently the most proven solar thermal electric technology. This system usually aligned on a north – south axis, and rotated to track the Sun as it moves across the sky each day. This system is the most developed and mature CSP Technology. Optimal capacity size is 150 – 250 MW. This is enough to power 44,000 homes [3].

b. Solar Tower Systems: Tower systems mainly consist of three main components: ground heliostats, a tower, and a central receiver at the top of the tower. The heliostats is use to capture solar radiation from the sun and re-direct it to the central receiver. A heliostat rotates in two dimensions, east and west, and north and south. Each heliostat is programmed through a computer to follow the sun and to maximize the total power output. The first commercial solar tower system was built by Abengoa Solar of Spain and is referred to as PS10 at the Solucar Platform in the Spanish province of Seville. The operation was started in March, 2007 and is still continue [4].

c. A dish/Stirling System: The dish/Stirling system is a source of renewable energy that generates power by using parabolically arranged mirrors to reflect sunlight onto a small thermal receiver, thereby heating a gas chamber connected to a piston and drive shaft. The drive shaft powers a generator which produces electricity to be distributed to a grid. Mainly this system consists of a parabolic dish concentrator, a thermal receiver and a Stirling engine located at the focus of the dish. The parabolic dish concentrator tracks the sunlight and focuses it into a cavity receiver where it is absorbed and transferred to a Stirling Engine. Stirling Engines are the most popular and widely used because they are having high thermal to mechanical efficiencies. They also provide potential for long time and low maintenance operations.

Dish/Stirling engines are modular in design. In Dish/Stirling engines each system is a self contained power generator.  

VI. ADVANTAGES OF GREEN ENERGY

A. Solar Energy

1. It is a clean source of energy which does not produce harmful gases as a co-product so have no effect on environment and human health.
2. Many everyday items such as calculator and other low power consuming devices can be powered by solar energy effectively.
3. It is a better source of energy for future generation as it last long forever (infinite).

B. Hydro Energy

1. It is one of the clean source of energy because does not create any by-product during conversion.
2. Hydroelectric power is a domestic source of energy, allowing each state to produce their own energy without being reliant on international fuel sources.
3.  It is reliable, affordable and vast source of energy.
4. In addition to a sustainable fuel source, hydropower efforts produce a no. of benefits, such as flood control, irrigation and water supply.
5. Hydro electric power plant reservoirs collect rain water, which can then be used for consumption or for irrigation.
6. Hydroelectric installations bring electricity, highways, industry and commerce to communities, thus developing the economy, expanding access to health and education, also improving the quality of life.

C. Wind Energy

1. It is a clean fuel source does not pollute air. Wind turbines do not produce  atmospheric emissions that cause acid rain or green house gases.
2. It is renewable source of energy require less cost.
3. Land around wind turbines can be used for other users e.g. farming.
4. In combination with solar energy they can be used to provide reliable as well as steady supply of electricity.

D. Geothermal Energy

1. It is a cheaper and affordable source of energy used for bath, heating homes and offices, preparing food, etc.
2. By using geothermal sources of energy present generations of human will not endanger the capability of future generation to use their old resources to the same amount.
3. This is also cost effective, reliable, sustainable and environment friendly.
4. Due to its low emissions geothermal energy is considered to have excellent potential for mitigation of global warming.

E. Vibration Energy

1. Vibration energy harvesting replaces the batteries in medical implants which is    beneficial for the environment as these batteries contain toxic heavy metals.
2. We can use vibration energy to reduce the noise in environment which is mainly happening in industries or due to air craft’s etc by vibration damping and vibration isolation.

VII. APPLICATIONS OF GREEN ENERGY

VIII. FUTURE SCOPE

Green Energy is having a future in almost every field of the world like industrial, agricultural, Medical, domestic, etc. Scientists already have found many forms of green energy such as solar, wind, hydro, etc. and now they are working on some new forms of energy like radiation and biomass so to reduce the usage of non renewable sources of energy as they are already depleating. In coming years efficiency of solar panels is going to increase and it can work even in cloudy weather as researchers are already working on it. A new combined form of solar and hydro is also coming called solar/wind hybrids. This technology combines the wind turbines with solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to produce higher level of energy and the studies have found that these are nearly double efficient then the present ones[9]. Like these there are technologies which are already invented or just the concepts are given and are still developing. These inventions let us to make an environment which is using green energy completely and is eco-friendly.

Conclusion

Through this paper we are trying to focus on need for energy which is eco- friendly and can be renewed which requires technological development to obtain the best utilization of green energy. As the resources obtained naturally has the potential to protect world and reduce dependence on non renewable resources which are near to extinction. Seeking from the future aspect green energy is an alternative source for power generation, provide energy in unlimited ways. The only need is to aware people for energy conservation along with environment. This is a step to generate different forms of energy in most of the field with clean source (less use of fossil fuel). Day by day the demand of clean energy is increasing; green energy will fulfill the need with more advance technological systems. But it will take some time when every single house operate their electrical appliances by using their own power producing system such as solar panels, small wind turbines etc.

References

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Energy_Act_2009 [2] http://tec.gov.in/pdf/Studypaper/GET%20for%20Telecom%20A pplications.pdf [3] Source:https://shaikmohasin.wordpress.com/tag/troughsystem/ [4] http://solarcellcentral.com/csp_page.html#tower_systems [5] Agreement No. : CE 36/2000, Study on the Potential Applications of Renewable Energy in Hong Kong, Stage 1 Study Report, December 2002 [6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power [7] Vijay Laxmi Kalyani, Anjali Piaus, Preksha Vyas, “Harvesting Electrical Energy via Vibration”, Journal of Management Engineering and Information Technology, Volume -2, Issue- 4, Aug. 2015, ISSN: 2394 – 8124 [8] http://cleantechnica.com/2013/12/16/generating-electricityweight-cars-pedestrians-system-developed-exploit-energy-passingcars/ [9] http://www.justenergy.com/blog/the-future-of-renewableenergy/

Copyright

Copyright © 2023 Dr. Subhash Kumar Sharma, Dr. Shri Prakash Dubey. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.