Renewable Energy Sources - Advantages of Renewable Energy Generation and Use

The energy need of the modern world continues to grow day by day in parallel with the population growth rate. With the development of industry and technology, people's dependence on energy in their daily lives is also increasing. It is of great importance to expand the generation and use of renewable energy, in order for the future generations to live in a cleaner world.

Turkey has provided most of its electricity generation in 2020 from coal, which is a fossil energy source. Although hydroelectric, one of the renewable energy sources, was in the second place, natural gas, which is also a fossil fuel, was in the third place. Turkey is one of the countries that is aware of the potential of renewable energy sources and has made serious investments in this field since the beginning of the 2000s. With the increase in private initiatives in the field of energy, a large part of the electricity generation of the country is expected to be met by renewable energy sources in the future.

What is Renewable Energy?

Renewable energy is the name given to the resources that can renew and sustain themselves at a rate that is equal to or faster than the speed of the energy taken from them. No matter how high the amount of energy taken from its source is, energies that can replenish themselves can also be described as clean because they are natural. The increase in clean energy generation and use means that future generations will have a more favorable world to live in. For this reason, it is extremely important to encourage the use of electricity generated by renewable energy sources, also referred to as inexhaustible energy.

The most important feature that distinguishes renewable energy sources from the others is that they are sustainable and clean. Energy generated in harmony with the environment without harming the natural balance of the world means leaving a livable world to the future generations. 

What are the Renewable Energy Types?

No matter how much it is taken from its source, energy resources that constantly maintain and update their potential with their own internal dynamics are considered as renewable. So what are these renewable energy sources? In this context, solar energy is one of the sources that is increasing its popularity day by day. The sun has an internal dynamic that can constantly renew itself. Thanks to the technologies we have today, we can collect solar energy and use it in different areas. Within the scope of clean energy; the wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, hydrogen, wave, biogas, tidal and biomass energies are the other renewable resources that are being currently used.

Hydroelectric Energy

Among the renewable energy sources, hydroelectric energy takes the lead among the most preferred options worldwide. The principle of application for electricity generation is basically quite simple. The generation phase can be defined as the conversion of the kinetic energy, which water has as the result of its acceleration, into electrical energy by passing it through turbines. Due to its nature, its use is much higher in geographies where rivers are located. Sustainability of energy generation is ensured with the dams built. It is one of the cleanest energy generation models known today. It is envisaged that it will leave its leadership in this field to wind and solar energy resources in the future.

Wind Energy

Wind energy is the most widely used renewable energy source in Turkey after hydroelectric. Electricity is generated by wind turbines installed in regions with high potential. Thanks to the investments made in this field since 2005, wind energy has started to have a serious say in electricity generation in today's Turkey. In 2005, Turkey's wind energy generation was 0.06 TWh, and the production in 2020 has been determined as 24.32 TWh. This change in the amount of generation in 15 years shows that wind energy will be much more effective in Turkey in the future.

Wave Energy

Wave energy is one of the renewable energy sources with a very high potential and is endless, but currently not common. It is among the clean energy sources that are expected to be used more over time. Wave energy, which had been used extensively in Europe before the 2000s, has also been started to be used widely in the Asian countries since 2009. This resource, which can be used by countries with coasts to the sea and the ocean, is one of the options where Turkey will also generate high amounts of electricity in the future. Tidal energy, which is included in this context, is also among the renewable energy sources. 

Solar Energy

Solar energy is one of the models whose popularity is increasing day by day among the renewable energy sources. The use of solar energy, which has started to become widespread in Europe as of the beginning of the 2000s, continues to enwiden under the leadership of Germany. While Germany has generated 51.00 TWh of electricity from solar energy in 2020, this figure has been recorded as 10.71 TWh in Turkey. The renewable energy sources, the importance of which is being understood better day by day, will be one of the biggest factors in determining the future positions of the countries. 

Biomass Energy

Biomass energy is the name given to the energy obtained from all kinds of plant and animal substances, the main components of which are carbohydrates. What is biomass? Biomass, on the other hand, can be defined as the total mass of living organisms of a species or a community over a given time period. Materials within this scope can be processed into solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. Thanks to its endless potential, biomass energy is placed among the renewable energy sources. African countries are much more active in biomass energy production than the rest of the world. Ethiopia, by generating 92.9% of its energy production from waste and biomass energy, holds the leadership in this field,

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy, which is among the inexhaustible types of energy and one of the most wondered subjects, is among the natural resources of our country. Geothermal energy is the name given to the energy obtained by processing the heat accumulated under the earth crust. This renewable energy source, which has a very high potential, can have an important place in the development of the country in case it is used in electricity generation. Turkey ranks the 4th in the world in geothermal energy generation. Turkey, which has generated 8168 GWh of geothermal energy in 2020, has been ranked as the 5th in the world and as the 1st in Europe. The United States, which ranks the 4th in the world in terms of surface area and had generated 18,366 GWh of geothermal energy in 2020, holds the leader position in this field. Indonesia, which is right behind the US in the ranking, is the leader in the Asian continent in geothermal energy production by generating 15,315 GWh of energy.

Hydrogen Energy

Hydrogen energy is the name given to the energy obtained as a result of the processing of hydrogen gas, which is found as a component in nature, and can be used in various fields. Although it is not found naturally like the other alternative energy sources, it is listed among the renewable energy sources since it is sustainable. Hydrogen energy, which can be used as a fuel, does not release much harmful substances to the environment after being used like the fossil energy sources. For this reason, it has already started to be famous as a clean and future energy. Under the economic conditions of today, it has not become widespread because it is a more expensive option than the others. It is one of the clean energy sources with a very high potential, which will be used more widely in the future with the development of technology. 

Biogas Energy

Biogas can be defined as the conversion of substances in an oxygen-free environment into carbon dioxide and methane gas. Biogas energy is a type of energy in which the gas obtained is used as fuel. To obtain biogas; animal, plant and industrial wastes can be used. Biogas energy is among the sustainable and renewable energy sources, as the production resources are in a continuous cycle and are endless. The usage area of biogas is quite wide. Biogas, which can be used as turbine fuel for electricity generation, can also be used for direct heating. It is also an energy generation tool that can be used in the production of chemicals and fuel cells. 

What are the Advantages of Renewable Energy Sources?

After the industrial revolution, for a long time, fossil fuels have provided intense energy to meet the increasing energy needs. Over time, it has been understood that the excessive use of these fuels causes environmental problems. As human beings, we need to quickly turn to renewable energy sources on a global scale, to prevent further environmental disasters. The advantages of renewable energy sources, which is also called clean and inexhaustible energy, can be listed as follows:

• Carbon emission thereof is low.

• It encourages the use of local resources.

• It contributes to the strengthening of the country's economy by reducing foreign dependency.

• Responds to the energy needs of the rural areas which are decentralized.

The existence of companies that invest in renewable energy sources such as Aydem Energy, which provides services within the borders of Turkey, is one of the important issues that will strengthen the position of our country in the world.