Renewable Energy: A World Review

Renewable energy is so named because it is derived from such natural raw materials which do not get exhausted; for instance, sunlight, air, rain water, tides and geothermal energy. Renewable energy consumed in 2008 was around 19%.

New renewables such as modern biomass, small hydro etc. delivered around 3% energy. The most leading is the wind energy having a growth rate over 30%. Its worldwide installed capacity has reached 160 GW. Photovoltaic installation based on solar energy has reached 21%. California has taken a leading role in tapping geothermal energy with rated capacity of 750MW. Brazil produces ethanol from sugar cane, which accounts for 18% of automotive fuel for the country.

Renewable energy is most suited for rural and remote areas where conventional processes of generating energy are inaccessible. Over 3 million, people around the world are getting power from solar photovoltaic arrangement. More than 30 million rural households are getting light and cooking fuel from biogas. Over 160 million households are using biomass for cooking food. Micro-hydro systems have been developed for villages and counties through mini-grids.

The advantages available from renewable energy resources are most suitable for our times of climate change and global warming. First, such renewable energy is abundant. The only expenditure is on their technological utilization for getting energy out of it. Secondly, conversion of such renewable raw material into desired form of energy is very eco-friendly. There is little or no generation of greenhouse gases. Thirdly, these resources of renewable energy are most suited for rural or remote areas.

There are some shortcomings too. Locations having developed geothermal systems are found only in Western United States, New Zealand, Iceland, Philippines, and South America. Wind energy needs high-speed airflow. Solar energy cannot be exploited in polar areas for most of the time in a year. Water is unavailable in desert areas.

However, greenhouse and climate change concerns, high price of available fuel oil, more dependence on automation driven by costly energy are driving us towards gainful utilization of renewable energies. The Government is also supporting such endeavors. Many incentives are in place to encourage such entrepreneurship. There are certain regulatory statutes to include renewable energy generation such as in building construction and industrial activities.

Source: Way to go Green

Solar energy technology has developed at a raid pace in the last 15 years and although still fairly expensive, solar panels and solar water heaters amortize their initial cost within a short period (36 months is the typical period for a solar geyser in South Africa).  Once the initial cost of renewable energy installations is paid for, homeowners can enjoy free energy and free hot water for a good portion of there lives (high quality solar water geysers are guaranteed for 10 years and many are quite capable of lasting 20 years or more).

Water and energy are linked and with the impending global water- and energy crisis, everyone should be conserving and collecting rain water and embracing renewable energy.

Water Rhapsody Water Conservation Systems has incorporated Yes Solar Mpumalanga so that we can offer solar water heating systems to further reduce your environmental impact.  Yes Solar is the Mpumalanga distributor for Solsquare Solar Energy Solutions- high quality German-engineered solar energy systems that are competitively priced.  Solsquare solar geysers are SABS- and Eskom-approved and are fitted by qualified, Eskom-accredited solar installers.   Now is the time to install a solar geyser while the Eskom rebates last (this money will run out eventually) and before the looming energy crisis arrives.

Water Rhapsody’s WWF AWARD-winning water conservation systems (product demo) include rainwater harvesting systems, grey water recycling systems, swimming pool backwash recycling, water-saving toilet flushing mechanisms and rainwater tanks (we are authorised  JoJo Tanks & Atlas Plastics water tank dealers in Mpumalanga and Limpopo- best water tank prices in the Lowveld!).

Our water and solar systems will save the environment while you save money on water and electricity bills; get free water and free water heating!

Contact us for a free quote on a solar geyser, water system or water tank.