Just like water, food, and air, electricity becomes a necessity of everyday life. It is a measure of development in daily life and every sector. It also promotes the growth and economic development of the nation. But have you ever thought about how electricity is produced? It could be produced by multiple sources including fossil fuels and renewable sources. For example, natural gas, solar light, wind, oil, etc.
Fossil fuels can harm the environment and human health, and lead to habitat and wildlife loss. It can increase global warming emissions by causing air and water pollution. That’s a reason reputed companies recognized as the world leader in clean energy or green energy are manufacturing and installing different types of systems providing eco-friendly electricity.
Different Types of Renewable Energy Produced and Used in India
Based on the suitability and geographic location, the following types of renewable sources of energy can be used for producing eco-friendly electricity.
Solar Energy
The energy produced using sunlight, which is a freely and abundantly available resource, is known as solar energy. The sunlight that reaches the surface of the planet in one hour is more than the total energy needs of the planet for the whole year. However, the amount of solar energy can vary based on the season of the year, time of the day, and geographical location.
With the advancements in the solar tech industry, solar energy can now be used to power homes and offices, pumping water for agricultural purposes, lighting up gardens with solar garden lights, telecommunication sector, and more purposes.
The rooftop solar system providers in Delhi NCR provide a comprehensive range of solar installation services. Moreover, the produced solar energy can be stored in the solar plus storage system to be used throughout the day and night, during peak hours, and whenever required.
Hydropower Energy
This is one of the commercially produced sources of renewable energy that is more reliable than wind power because it can be stored for later use when demand is high. Electricity is produced by converting the kinetic energy of the water into mechanical energy by turbines. The water used for electricity generation comes from marine currents, rivers, tides, or dams.
Wind Energy
It is a readily available source of renewable energy that produces electricity by capturing and converting wind power into electricity with wind turbines. The wind turbines transform the kinetic energy in the wind to mechanical power which is converted into usable electricity using a generator.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal, as the name indicates, is the heat generated within the Earth. This heat can be collected and used straight for heat. Electricity is produced using the steam. This type of renewable energy can be used to heat sidewalks, parking lots, and other structures.
Biomass
The electricity produced from biomass is more energy-efficient and cleaner. Biomass produces electricity by converting domestic, agricultural, and industrial waste into gaseous, solid, and liquid fuel. The production process involves less environmental and economic cost than thermal energy.
Tidal Energy
This is another type of hydro energy generated by the rise of ocean waters when tides rise and fall. Unlike other renewable energy sources, these sources are not constant but highly predictable. Barrages, tidal lagoons, and tidal streams are three ways of producing tidal energy. There are some limited commercial-sized tidal power plants working in the entire world so the power produced is small.
Difference Between Green, Clean, and Renewable Energy
There is not much difference between green, clean, and renewable energy. These are mostly used interchangeably with a slight difference. Green energy refers to the energy entirely obtained from natural sources without causing any environmental damage during production or usage. For example, solar energy produces electricity with no harmful effects on the environment and leads to no carbon emissions during solar electricity consumption.
Clean energy sources generate electricity without emitting carbon emissions or other harmful greenhouse gases. However, the manufacturing and maintenance process can sometimes be associated with a carbon cost. For example, hydroelectric plants’ creation with a dam requires clearing the natural environment. It also requires constructing them, creating harmful carbon emissions.
Renewable energy refers to the energy produced from sustainable sources which cannot be depleted over time. So, both clean and green energy can be termed renewable energy.
Current Status of Renewable Energy in India
India is counted at 4th globally in solar power capacity and wind power capacity, according to the Global Status Report of REN21 Renewables 2022. The Indian government has set a goal of COP26 of 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel-based electricity by 2030. In the world of renewable energy, it is the largest expansion plan.
As of July 2023, the installed capacity of non-fossil fuel has enhanced by 396% in India in the previous 8.5 years. Last year in 2022, India experienced the highest year-on-year expansion in renewable energy additions of 9.83%.
The capacity of solar energy installation has improved by 24.4x in the past 9 years. It was 67.07 GW by July 2023. However, the combined installed capacity of renewable sources of energy including hydropower was 179.322 GW as of July 2023.
Which Renewable Energy is Mostly Used in India?
Solar power has the highest installed capacity of 67.07 GW among all renewable energy sources as of July 2023. Wind power, biomass, small hydropower, and large hydropower have 42.8 GW, 10.2 GW, 4.94 GW, and 46.85 GW installed capacity respectively. 57 solar parks with 39.28 GW total capacity have been already approved in India. Many companies are providing installation of different types of solar systems with an annual maintenance contract for solar system for long-term solar power production with minimal maintenance.
Conclusion
India aims to decrease the carbon intensity of the economy of the nation by less than 45% by the last of this decade. 50% cumulative electric power is estimated to be installed by 2030 from renewable sources.
The nation has set an objective to ensure net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. If you want to contribute to the achievement of this goal and secure an environmentally friendly and pollution-free future for the coming generations, then get your home or commercial space equipped with solar systems.