The untold story of renewable energy sources: from the lab to the grid
Renewable energy is not as new of a concept as many might believe. The quest for sustainable and green energy sources has been ongoing for the last six decennia driven by the need for cleaner and more efficient power generation methods.
This article will thoroughly demystify the journey renewables have taken from the laboratories to becoming a significant part of our national power grids. The infancy stage of renewable energy sources trace back to the 1970s when environmental concerns were beginning to spark societal discussions. Scientists were looking at multiple alternative energy options, including solar and wind energy.
Experiments were primitive, and the conversion efficiency was below par, but it represented a bold step towards sustainable energy sources. Fast forward to the 1990s and early 2000s, technology advancements had notably improved the efficacy of wind and solar energy conversion. Solar panels in particular improved a lot with nanotechnology entering the fray.
These advancements, coupled with the growing awareness of global warming, saw an increased adoption of renewable energy by residential consumers. Industrial adoption of renewable energy was, however, an uphill task. High installation and maintenance costs, and inconsistent power generation due to weather fluctuations, deterred many industries.
However, breakthroughs in battery storage technology in the mid-2010s meant that generated power could be stored and used when needed, paving the way for commercial use of renewables. Today, renewables account for a significant portion of the national grid. Countries like Germany have seen considerable success in renewable energy adoption, with over a third of its total power supply coming from renewable sources in 2020.
Numerous utilities and governments are now looking to replicate this success by investing heavily in renewable projects or partnerships. However, every silver lining has a cloud. The need to switch fully to renewable sources has never been more significant, considering the looming climate crisis. Yet, the future of renewables is hamstrung by several challenges.
Primary among them are geopolitical issues, where countries refuse to let go of their dependence on fossil fuels, and economic issues where initial installation and setup costs are seen as prohibitive. Despite these challenges, the future looks bright for renewable energy. As technology advances and economies of scale kick in, it's only a matter of time before renewables become our primary energy source.
After all, the success found in countries who've championed renewable sources serve as great models for others to follow. Change is often difficult and takes time, but when it comes to transitioning to renewable energy sources, the ball is already rolling. Each one of us can contribute to this clean energy transition in simple ways. Whether it is by installing solar panels on our roofs, utilizing energy-saving devices, or simply by being conscious about our energy use.
This article will thoroughly demystify the journey renewables have taken from the laboratories to becoming a significant part of our national power grids. The infancy stage of renewable energy sources trace back to the 1970s when environmental concerns were beginning to spark societal discussions. Scientists were looking at multiple alternative energy options, including solar and wind energy.
Experiments were primitive, and the conversion efficiency was below par, but it represented a bold step towards sustainable energy sources. Fast forward to the 1990s and early 2000s, technology advancements had notably improved the efficacy of wind and solar energy conversion. Solar panels in particular improved a lot with nanotechnology entering the fray.
These advancements, coupled with the growing awareness of global warming, saw an increased adoption of renewable energy by residential consumers. Industrial adoption of renewable energy was, however, an uphill task. High installation and maintenance costs, and inconsistent power generation due to weather fluctuations, deterred many industries.
However, breakthroughs in battery storage technology in the mid-2010s meant that generated power could be stored and used when needed, paving the way for commercial use of renewables. Today, renewables account for a significant portion of the national grid. Countries like Germany have seen considerable success in renewable energy adoption, with over a third of its total power supply coming from renewable sources in 2020.
Numerous utilities and governments are now looking to replicate this success by investing heavily in renewable projects or partnerships. However, every silver lining has a cloud. The need to switch fully to renewable sources has never been more significant, considering the looming climate crisis. Yet, the future of renewables is hamstrung by several challenges.
Primary among them are geopolitical issues, where countries refuse to let go of their dependence on fossil fuels, and economic issues where initial installation and setup costs are seen as prohibitive. Despite these challenges, the future looks bright for renewable energy. As technology advances and economies of scale kick in, it's only a matter of time before renewables become our primary energy source.
After all, the success found in countries who've championed renewable sources serve as great models for others to follow. Change is often difficult and takes time, but when it comes to transitioning to renewable energy sources, the ball is already rolling. Each one of us can contribute to this clean energy transition in simple ways. Whether it is by installing solar panels on our roofs, utilizing energy-saving devices, or simply by being conscious about our energy use.