According to the United Nations, a renewable energy source is defined as being sustainable and derived from natural sources which are naturally replenished at higher rates than they can be consumed.
Now, if we asked you to name three renewable fuel sources, we’re willing to bet that solar and wind would be the first two that came to mind. But what would be next on your list?
An Introduction to Less Common Renewable Energy Sources
There are a number of renewable energy sources beyond solar and wind energy. Let’s take a look at a few of the most common alternative energy solutions.
Biomass
Plant materials can be used to create solid fuel, which is then converted into electricity in a process that is known as biomass energy generation. Traditionally this process has relied on the burning of organic matter, however, biomass energy has become much cleaner in recent years and is now more efficient than ever before.
Domestic, industrial and agricultural waste can be converted into gas fuels in solid, liquid and gas forms, which can be used to generate electricity in ways that have a lower environmental and economic cost than previous iterations of this technology.
It is important to note that carbon dioxide is still emitted during the creation of bioenergy, however as fuel sources can be regrown and have the innate ability to absorb as much carbon dioxide throughout their lifespans as is created during the energy generation process, it is still considered an important renewable energy source.
Geothermal
Heat naturally occurs beneath the surface of the earth and geothermal energy allows this natural heat to be used in several ways, including to generate electricity and even to directly heat homes. While geothermal energy isn’t making much of an impact here in the UK, countries like Iceland have much more freely available geothermal heat and are utilising this natural resource to meet its energy needs.
Hydroelectric Energy
A lot of commercial development has occurred in the hydropower sector, which utilises large reservoirs and dams to establish controlled water flow that is able to drive turbines and generate electricity. There are many advantages to hydropower, particularly as it is highly reliable, cheap to set up when compared to some other sources of renewable energy, and easy to store.
Hydropower is extremely important to the renewable energy sector because it has the ability to generate energy during periods when there isn’t enough sunlight for solar panels or wind for wind turbines.
Tidal Energy
Tidal energy is a form of hydropower that specifically uses the force of our oceans to create energy. Tidal currents occur twice every day, during which time it is used to drive large turbine generators. Unlike some other renewables, tidal isn’t a continuous source of energy, however, it is extremely predictable and can therefore be harnessed to meet our energy needs.
What is Driving the Growth of Renewable Energy?
In 2023, renewable energy sources accounted for upwards of 30% of electricity consumption globally for the first time. A significant rise in solar and wind power is said to have been a primary driver of this achievement, which is a positive sign that a slow down in the growth of fossil fuels will continue.
There are a number of drivers in play here, including a significant shift to electric vehicles which have an array of benefits including lower running costs and fuel savings. Additionally, public transport companies in many places including Nottingham are also making the switch to electric.
It is also important to emphasise that the costs associated with renewable energy have fallen sharply in recent years. In fact, between 2010 and 2021, the average cost of generating energy via solar PV panels over their lifetime reduced by 88%, which is partly why solar installation experts like Green Flare have been able to thrive and drive further innovation in the sector.
Are renewable energy prices going up?
Between January and March 2024, renewable sources accounted for 50.9% of the total amount of electricity generated in the UK. This marked an increase of 2.2% on the same period in 2023, which demonstrates that investment in solar PV and new offshore wind sites are delivering positive results.
But why exactly are renewable energy prices rising despite the fact that the UK has a solid number of renewable sources connected to the grid? Well, currently wholesale electricity costs are fuelling these price increases as the UK uses the very common marginal pricing model.
So while the least expensive forms of electricity are always used first under a marginal pricing model, the UK still relies on more expensive, non-renewable sources of energy as a backup if, for example, there isn’t much wind or enough sunlight to generate optimal levels of energy using solar panels. This, naturally, pushes up prices and is why consumers are still experiencing high energy bills.
While there may be a government-led review of the UK electricity market in search of a better strategy, for as long as electricity prices continue to be linked with gas prices, costs will continue to remain volatile even as renewable energy adoption continues to increase.
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