1. Topic

2. Introduction

A renewable resource can be defined broadly as one that is generated by sustainable energy fluxes operating within the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and solid earth. The primary source of these fluxes is solar radiation. Renewable resources generated this way include hydroelectric, wind, tidal and solar power, water (including groundwater) and biomass. However, many other types of energy may also be included in the definition (such as methane gas from landfill, fuel cells and other technologies). Prior to the industrial revolution these sources were virtually the only forms of energy used by mankind. During the last 150 years, modern civilization has become increasingly dependent on fossil fuel, although the finite future of these supplies implies that a transmission to a sustainable energy future is inevitable.

3. Discussion

First it would be interesting to mention several types of renewable energies.

Photovoltaic energy; clean and silent. Its implementation and use has a low cost, high reliability and durability.

Wind power; it is a cheap renewable energy source which with the improvement in technology is reducing in cost.

Biomass; Although in Europe biomass use is currently limited, investment and investigation into its use has increased in recent years. Also at the moment there are a number of research studies to assess the amount of energy produced from various plant species.

In general most important advantages are: that renewable energies do not produce CO₂ emissions, do not generate wastes that are difficult to treat, and finally are inexhaustible. The greatest attraction of these renewable energy resources is that they are environmentally friendly. In addition to not being polluting, they have low operating costs due to the use of the renewable resources. Together with complementary measures to enhance energy efficiency, they are high on the list of options for ensuring economic development.

There are several measures intended to promote renewable energy that should be taken into account. These include:

· Renewable electricity; Ensuring independent power producers and non-utilities have access to the electricity grid, allowing distributed generators to feed into and take from the grid, setting aside a (small) protected and guaranteed market for renewable electricity, creating supply-side incentives such a favourable buy-back rates, or a market for renewable electricity by requiring a certain proportion of total electricity to come from renewable sources, and making demand side incentives such as green pricing as widespread as possible.

· Another example of policy that has favoured renewable energies is encouraging the increased of use of renewable energy via generous economic and fiscal incentives as in Denmark, Spain and Germany, where capital and output, subsidies are available for renewable electricity systems. These are directed at a wide range of renewable energies and renewable energy applications (direct use, heat production and electricity generations). These measurements have been most successful in promoting renewable energy supply. This is because a large proportion of those who buy renewable energy equipment are private firms or individuals, susceptible to economics arguments or setting up a protected market for limited quantities of renewable electricity, as in the UK, France and Ireland.

4. Recommendation / Conclusion

To make sure that we have enough energy in the future, it is up to all of us to use energy wisely. Within this context, political, legislative, financial, administrative, technical development, information education and training elements should be considered in renewable energy development and use. Governments should provide the political leadership at a local, regional, national and European level, to promote renewable energy efficiency and ensure the development and the introduction of new clean energy technologies. In addition, it would be important to increase investigations, developments, demonstrations and knowledge/technologies transfer, until the creation of a strong and competitive renewable energy industry. Citizens must use less energy and be more efficient in its use. We need stringent efficiency standards for appliances, for homes and offices, for industrial processes and for vehicles. Renewable energy use has several limitations at the present time including low levels of use and difficulties in energy storage.

However, several countries are making a greater contribution, for example in Germany and Spain, which contribute 78% of the current EU output from photovoltaics. In Spain the Promotion Plan for Renewable Sources of Energy 2000-2010 has set itself the target of obtaining 12% of the total energy consumption from renewable resources by 2010. Within Spain, Seville is collaborating with Gamesa Company for the promotion of the renewable energy use in the city. This collaboration includes the study and carry out of possible photovoltaic installation in the municipal buildings, with a minimum power of 500 KW for a period of four years. In addition, Austria, Germany and Greece contribute 80% of new solar thermal installations. Denmark, Germany and Spain now contribute (2004) 80% of new wind output. Finland and Sweden contribute 60% of the growth in generation from Biomass-fuelled power stations. Finally, Austria and Sweden give the highest contribution to the increase in output from biomass district heating installations.

5. Examples / Further Reading

Energy review of Malmo

Promotion of renewable energy in Seville and The Alive Energy Pavilion - Spain

Potential wind turbines in Bristol

6. Additional Documents / Web Links

· EREF (European renewable energies federation), is a federation of associations from UE State Members, which are working in the sector of energy produced from renewable sources, such as small hydro, wind, bio-energy, etc…It is actively supporting a swift and sustainable increase in the use of renewable energy sources in Europe.

· Altener Program; It is the European Union non technological program promoting the use of the renewable energy sources. Its aim is to increase the EU’s use of renewable energy from 6% in 1996 to 12% in 2010.

· Centre for Photovoltaic Devices and Systems. http://www.Pv.unsw.edu.au.

· Renewable Energy House. It is the central meeting point for organizations working in the field of renewable energy sources. The website is, http://www.erec-renewable.org/.

· EPIA (European Photovoltaic Industry Association), EWEA; (European Wind Energy Association).

· ESHA (European Small Hydropower Association), EUBIA (European Biomass Industry Association), EUREC Agency (European Association of Renewable Energy Research Centres).

· AEA technology Environment (ETSU) (Integrated Spatial Potential Initiative for Renewable Energy in Europe). http://www.etsu.com/. Another website which can offer you information and examples of renewable energies applications, is http://www.ciemat.es/index.html. CIEMAT is an Energy, Environmental and Technologies Investigations Centre in Spain. In this website it is possible find information about renewable energies, database projects, training etc…Furthermore you can visit http://www.cne.es/ Energy National Commission (Spain), which regulates Energy System in Spain. On the other hand there is a possibility to get in touch with the Local Agency of Energy in Seville through the next website, http://www.agencia-energia-sevilla/ where it is easy to get information about the Second Energy Plan (2002/2006), and the Municipal Energy Management and Use by-law. (B.O.P Nº154,05/07/2002, p. 7641-7658). Another website for Europe in general is http://www.europa.eu.int.comm/energy.

Last Updated

25th January 2005