What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy is energy generated from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable (naturally replenished). Renewable energy technologies range from solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity/micro hydro, biomass, biofuels for transportation, and geothermal power. Renewable energy is becoming more and more popular as a source of power around the world and it is becoming increasingly cost-effective.
Renewable Energy Meaning in Malayalam
In Malayalam, the term “renewable energy” is known as പുതിയ വിദ്യുത്കാന്തി, which translates to “renewable energy”. Renewable energy is energy that is generated from natural resources which are continuously replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat. Renewable energy often provides energy in four important areas: electricity generation, air and water heating/cooling, transportation, and rural (off-grid) energy services.
Benefits of Renewable Energy
Renewable energy has several benefits, including its ability to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide long-term energy security. Renewable energy also has the potential to create thousands of jobs, reduce air and water pollution, and reduce energy costs. Renewable energy sources also have the potential to be used in remote and rural areas, where access to traditional energy sources can be difficult or expensive.
Types of Renewable Energy
There are various types of renewable energy that can be used to generate electricity, including solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, and biomass. Solar energy is generated from the sun and is the most abundant and readily available source of renewable energy. Wind energy is generated from the movement of air and is the second most abundant source of renewable energy. Geothermal energy is generated from heat within the earth and is the third most abundant source of renewable energy. Hydropower is generated from the movement of water and is the fourth most abundant source of renewable energy. Biomass is generated from organic matter and is the fifth most abundant source of renewable energy.
Challenges of Renewable Energy
As with any energy source, renewable energy has its own set of challenges. For example, solar energy requires a large upfront investment, and its availability is dependent on the weather. Wind energy requires a large area to be set aside for turbines and has to contend with noise and bird-strike issues. Hydropower requires large dams and reservoirs, and can have an impact on fish migration. Geothermal energy requires special equipment and is not available everywhere. Finally, biomass requires large amounts of land to be dedicated to growing the biomass, and can lead to deforestation.
Renewable Energy in India
India is one of the leading countries in the world in terms of renewable energy production and usage. India has one of the largest installed renewable energy capacities in the world, with over 90 gigawatts of installed capacity, and a target of 175 gigawatts by 2022. India has also set a target of 40% of electric power to come from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. India is also investing heavily in solar energy, with the government setting a goal of 100 gigawatts of installed solar capacity by 2022.
Conclusion
Renewable energy is becoming increasingly popular around the world and is seen as an important part of the global effort to reduce carbon emissions and create a more sustainable energy future. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, and biomass have the potential to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy to millions of people around the world. India is making huge strides in renewable energy, and is on track to meet its ambitious goal of 175 gigawatts of installed renewable energy capacity by 2022.