Renewable Energy And Environmental Protection

ABSTRACT

Renewable technologies are considered as clean sources of energy and optimal use of these resources minimize environmental impacts, produce minimum secondary wastes and are sustainable based on current and future economic and social societal needs. Sun is the source of all energies. The primary forms of solar energy are heat and light. Sunlight and heat are transformed and absorbed by the environment in a multitude of ways. Some of these transformations result in renewable energy flows such as biomass and wind energy. Renewable energy technologies provide an excellent opportunity for mitigation of greenhouse gas emission and reducing global warming through substituting conventional energy sources. In this article a review has been done on scope of CO₂ mitigation through solar cooker, water heater, dryer, bio fuel, improved cook stoves and by hydrogen. Talking about the concept of “environment” means treating a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary theme which revives a simultaneous consideration of multiple data social, economic, natural. To date, the protection of the environment against energy sources as a whole becomes a challenge for many countries, policies for the preservation, education and scientific research strategies are aimed at the environment and sustainable development. It remains an idea of its young problem, still current. The aim of this study is to discuss the role of renewable energy and its environmental protection.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COVER PAGE

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWELDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

1.0      INTRODUCTION

1.1      BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

• AIM OF THE PROJECT
• OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
• SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
• ADVANTAGES OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
• DISADVANTAGES OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
• TYPES OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
• BENEFITS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
• PURPOSE OF USING RENEWABLE ENERGY

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

• RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND SUSTAINABILITY
• RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE
• DIFFERENT TYPES OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

CHAPTER THREE

3.1      RENEWABLE ENERGY AND PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT: TODAY CONCERNS

3.2      RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND TECHNOLOGY

3.3      STRATEGY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

CHAPTER FOUR

• RENEWABLE ENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
• CHALLENGES AFFECTING RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES

CHAPTER FIVE

• CONCLUSION
• REFERENCES

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                                        INTRODUCTION

The memory of each company is listed on its space when it moves. It will be revealed through the habitat and its organization, the demarcation of territories, the architectural vocabulary, and the cultural and spiritual dimensions. The legacy of the ancestors is a challenge in urban management and development. Awareness of society towards this heritage and the need for its conservation are of great importance today. For people to discover the treasures his country, several projects and conferences are organized on a global scale. The concept of heritage is generic, it is the product of the transmission of knowledge in all areas of daily life, and it is the illustrious footsteps of periods left a legacy from one generation to another. But the legacy of today assumes a central role in sustainable development peremptorily, renewable energy, tourism, science etc. Another plus side to side economic heritage considered a factor that can create social ties and strengthening cultural identity.

1.1                                           BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Energy is a requirement in our everyday life as a way of improving human development leading to economic growth and productivity. The return-to-renewables will help mitigate climate change is an excellent way but needs to be sustainable in order to ensure a sustainable future and bequeath future generations to meet their energy needs. Knowledge regarding the interrelations between sustainable development and renewable energy in particular is still limited. The aim of the paper is to ascertain if renewable energy sources are sustainable and examine how a shift from fossil fuel-based energy sources to renewable energy sources would help reduce climate change and its impact. A qualitative research was employed by reviewing peer-reviewed papers in the area of study. This study brought to light the opportunities associated with renewable energy sources; energy security, energy access, social and economic development and climate change mitigation and reduction of environmental and health impacts.

Historically, the first recorded commercial mining of coal occurred in 1,750, near Richmond, Virginia. Momentarily, coal became the most preferred fuel for steam engines due to its more energy carrying capacity than corresponding quantities of biomass-based fuels (firewood and charcoal). It is noteworthy that coal was comparatively cheaper and a much cleaner fuel as well in the past centuries (Abbasi, Premalatha, & Abbasi,2011). The dominance of fossil fuel-based power generation (Coal, Oil and Gas) and an exponential increase in population for the past decades have led to a growing demand for energy resulting in global challenges associated with a rapid growth in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions (Asumadu-Sarkodie & Owusu,2016A). A significant climate change has become one of the greatest challenges of the twenty-first century. Its grave impacts may still be avoided if efforts are made to transform current energy systems. Renewable energy sources hold the key potential to displace greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-based power generating and thereby mitigating climate change (Edenhofer et al.,2011). Sustainable development has become the centre of recent national policies, strategies and development plans of many countries. The United Nations General Assembly proposed a set of global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which included 17 goals and 169 targets at the UN in New York by the Open Working Group. In addition, a preliminary set of 330 indicators was introduced in March 2015 (Lu, Nakicenovic, Visbeck, & Stevance, 2015). Sustainable development has become the centre of recent national policies, strategies and development plans of many countries. The United Nations General Assembly proposed a set of global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which included 17 goals and 169 targets at the UN in New York by the Open Working Group. In addition, a preliminary set of 330 indicators was introduced in March 2015 (Lu, Nakicenovic, Visbeck, & Stevance,2016; Owusu, Asumadu-Sarkodie, & Ameyo,2016).

Research into alternate sources of energy dated back in the late 90s when the world started receiving shock from oil produces in terms of price hiking (Abbasi et al.,2011). It is evidential in literature that replacing fossil fuel-based energy sources with renewable energy sources, which includes: bioenergy, direct solar energy, geothermal energy, hydropower, wind and ocean energy (tide and wave), would gradually help the world achieve the idea of sustainability. Governments, intergovernmental agencies, interested parties and individuals in the world today look forward to achieving a sustainable future due to the opportunities created in recent decades to replace petroleum-derived materials from fossil fuel-based energy sources with alternatives in renewable energy sources. The recent launch of a set of global SDGs is helping to make sure that climate change for twenty-first century and its impacts are combated, and a sustainable future is ensured and made as a bequest for future generations (Edenhofer et al.,2011; Lu et al.,2015).

Against this backdrop, the study seeks to examine the potentials and trends of sustainable development with renewable energy sources and climate change mitigation, the extent to which it can help and the potential challenges it poses and how a shift from fossil to renewable energy sources is a sure way of mitigating climate change. To achieve this objective, concepts, techniques and peer-reviewed journals are analysed and reviewed judiciously.

1.2                                               OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The objectives of this paper are:

• To highlight the history of environmental policy in architecture and urbanism in the world.
• Renewable energy and strategies of the preservation of the environment in the country.
• Establish strategies to protect the environment.
• To highlight the impact of renewable energy in our environment

1.3                                                   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The world is fast becoming a global village due to the increasing daily requirement of energy by all population across the world while the earth in its form cannot change. The need for energy and its related services to satisfy human social and economic development, welfare and health is increasing. Returning to renewables to help mitigate climate change is an excellent approach which needs to be sustainable in order to meet energy demand of future generations. The study reviewed the opportunities associated with renewable energy sources which includes: Energy Security, Energy Access, Social and Economic development, Climate Change Mitigation, and reduction of environmental and health impacts. Despite these opportunities, there are challenges that hinder the sustainability of renewable energy sources towards climate change mitigation. These challenges include Market failures, lack of information, access to raw materials for future renewable resource deployment, and our daily carbon footprint. The study suggested some measures and policy recommendations which when considered would help achieve the goal of renewable energy thus to reduce emissions, mitigate climate change and provide a clean environment as well as clean energy for all and future generations.

1.4                                 ADVANTAGES OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

1. It is safe, abundant, and clean to use when compared to fossil fuels: Even clean-burning natural gas is at a disadvantage to what renewable energy sources can provide. Enough sunlight comes down on our planet every day that if we could harvest it with solar panels and other forms of collection, we could power everything for an entire year. Because wind is created by the warmth of the sun, it is also virtually limitless. Fossil fuels, in theory, are a finite resource because of how they are created.
2. Multiple forms of renewable energy exist: Diversification within the renewable energy sector has exploded since the 1970s. From dams that provide hydropower to solar strips that are strong enough to handle the weight of a vehicle and can be turned into roads, we have numerous methods of creating power through the collection of renewable energy. There is greater diversity in this sector when compared to fossil fuel resources.
3. It provides the foundation for energy independence: Many nations rely on fossil fuels for their society to function under the “modern” definition. These fuels come from a handful of countries that work to control pricing and availability. By developing renewable energy resources, countries can work toward energy independence with a diversified portfolio of energy to access. Although these resources take time to develop, it should be remembered that the current fossil fuel infrastructure has more than a century of development behind it
4. Renewable energy is stable: When renewables are creating energy, the power produced is stable and usable, just like any other form of “traditional” power. It is a dependable resource when an infrastructure is available to support it. Jobs are created within the sector as well, creating stability within local economic sectors at the same time. The power created can be distributed through existing grids, which can limit installation costs for some communities.
5. It is a technology instead of a fuel: Coal must be mined and refined to make it useful. Natural gas must be released and transported. A fossil fuel is created from natural resources, whereas renewable energies are created thanks to the use of technology. For this reason, the pricing of renewable energies will continue to go down as improvements in technology occur. Fossil fuels can see price reductions through mining and refining efficiency improvements, but there will always be an underlying labor cost that will affect pricing and availability.

1.5                              DISADVANTAGES OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

1. Not every form of renewable energy is commercially viable: Many forms of renewable energy must be collected at a specific location, which means distribution networks must be setup to take advantage of the power that can be generated. These networks require a massive fossil fuel investment that can take generations to neutralize with the use of renewable energy. From tidal power to geothermal, the commercial viability of many renewable energy resources is not available right now.
2. Many forms of renewable energy are location-specific: Even solar energy has limited potential in some locations. There are some places in Nigeria that always cloudy or rainy while there some that are sunny. Solar energy can efficiently and effectively be used in sunny areas.
3. Many forms of renewable energy require storage capabilities: With traditional power resources, a home or business is connected to a local distribution grid so that it can be accessed 24/7. When using a renewable energy resource, back-up and storage resources must be included with the power generation opportunity. Sunlight doesn’t happen at night. Wind speeds are not always consistent. The storage capabilities that are required can push the cost of a new renewable energy system beyond what the average person or community can afford.
4. Pollution is still generated with renewable energy: Renewable energies are cleaner than most fossil fuels, but “cleaner” and “clean” are very different terms. A resource like biomass still burns waste products and puts pollution into the atmosphere. This includes carbon and methane, which are classified as greenhouse gases. The technologies and facilities that are used to build renewable energy resources require fossil fuels, as do the transportation and distribution networks. In many instances, renewable energy relies on fossil fuels, whereas fossil fuels do not rely on renewables.
5. Renewables often require subsidies to make them affordable: In the United States, an emphasis on biofuels and renewable energies led to the creation of ethanol as a crude oil replacement. Despite taxpayer-funded subsidies in place for this corn-based fuel, only 430,000 barrels per day were produced in 2007. That was enough to replace 2% of the oil that was being consumed while corn prices skyrocketed because of the crops being funneled into this renewable fuel.
6. Some forms of renewable energy require a massive amount of space.
   To product 20 megawatts of energy, current solar technologies require 100 acres of space. In comparison, the footprint for a nuclear power plant is 1 square mile to produce 1,000 megawatts of energy. Solar is therefore 45 times less space efficient compared to nuclear power. Solar is even worse, requiring up to 360 square miles to produce the same energy as one nuclear power plant.

1.6                                         TYPES OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

The most common renewable power technologies include:

• Solar (photovoltaic, solar thermal)
• Wind
• Biogas (e.g., landfill gas/wastewater treatment digester gas)
• Geothermal
• Biomass
• Low-impact hydroelectricity
• Emerging technologies – wave and tidal power

1.7                                      BENEFITS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

Environmental and economic benefits of using renewable energy include:

• Generating energy that produces no greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and reduces some types of air pollution
• Diversifying energy supply and reducing dependence on imported fuels
• Creating economic development and jobs in manufacturing, installation, and more.

1.8                               PURPOSE OF USING RENEWABLE ENERGY

• Generating renewable energy on-site using a system or device at the location where the power is used (e.g., PV panels on a state building, geothermal heat pumps, biomass-fueled combined heat and power).
• Purchasing green power through through renewable energy certificates (RECs) – also known as green tags, green energy certificates, or tradable renewable certificates – that represent the technology and environmental attributes of electricity generated from renewable resources.
• Purchasing renewable energy from an electric utility through a green pricing or green marketing program, where buyers pay a small premium in exchange for electricity generated locally from green power resources.