That of the sources of renewable energy it is one of the production sectors experiencing rapid growth; an extremely dynamic context where the innovationsthe new energy saving technologies and new solutions for clean energy production they are practically the order of the day.
However, we must not only consider the discussion on economic saving which derives from the use of these energy sources; what really matters right now is being able to produce energy that has a minimal impact on our planet and its resources.
As just said, change is happening fast, so it is worth analyzing more interesting technologies currently available and the main ones alternative energy sources to fossil fuels.
How the electricity sector can change
Efficiency e sustainability these are the two paradigms to follow to bring the energy sector and the technologies connected to it into the future.
A future that necessarily passes through them renewable energiesall those sources that are not exhaustible and are capable of regenerating themselves at a rate equal to or greater than human consumption.
Unfortunately, we must keep in mind that this type of clean energy is not always sufficient to meet people’s needs and, in addition to having to be used in conjunction with other sourceswe must also work together to make production methods more efficient e reduce waste as much as possible.
Efficiency and sustainability are the two main objectives that scientists must set themselves to imagine the future of the energy sector
In this sense there are essentially two strategies to follow: investments in the sectorwith governments and major suppliers working side by side to give innovation the fuel it needs, financing new studies and leaving the word to scientists who have been working for decades on solutions ready to help humans in the years to come.
And, secondly, it development of technologies and new systems to make the most of the energy produced, distributing it to users who need it, storing it if necessary but, above all, producing it cleanly and without impacting the planet.
At this point, therefore, it is worth analyzing some of the most important innovations that are changing the energy sector, leading it towards a future characterized by of efficiencyof the energy saving and of sustainability.
Monitoring and control systems: smart grids
And among the most interesting new technologies in the sector we cannot fail to mention the smart gridsa term that indicates a “intelligent” electricity grid that by exploiting modern communication technologies (ICT – Information and Communication Technologies), it is able to provide information on energy needs in real time, significantly improving distribution, which adapts to user needs, avoiding waste and power outages.
What makes the difference compared to the old idea of an electricity grid is the term “smart” which indicates a system that knows in detail the amount of energy producedil needs of people and everything related to the network, faults included, being able to intervene at any moment of distribution to always guarantee the best possible service.
At the same time, such a solution also guarantees good savings on the bill because there is no waste and the end customer receives exactly the energy requested.
Furthermore, by reducing waste, emissions are also reduced, resulting in production more sustainable energy which limits dispersions e stores the current in excess (inside special batteries) to use it when needed.
Domestic energy production systems
Solar energy is a major source of clean energy and, beyond being renewable it is also one of the least impactful, given that energy production it does not release any polluting substances.
Per harness the energy of the sunwhat is needed are obviously gods photovoltaic solar panels which collect solar radiation and use it to produce electricity.
Without going into too much detail, just know that the sun’s rays are captured by many Photovoltaic cells connected to each other which make up the panel.
I am made of silicon and are capable of converting photons in a direct current electric field. There are many types of photovoltaic panels which all operate very similarly to each other but guarantee different efficiency and obviously have different costs.
Solar energy is perhaps the most widespread renewable energy source in the world, thanks also to domestic solar panels installed on the roofs of homes
To this you can also add some storage batteries which store excess energy to release it when needed, when the sun is not able to provide energy needs (perhaps on a rainy day) or during the night.
This type of electricity production plant it is the most common because, as is well known, it can also be installed by private citizens on the roof of their home, providing to the energy needs of individual families and, if necessary, reselling the excess energy to the service manager.
Hydroelectric and wind energy, two very efficient solutions
Among other renewable and extremely clean energy sources is that hydroelectric which, in short, allows you to produce electric current using the power of water flowing or, in particular cases, from the falling one.
The point in favor of this system is that it can be used both natural source or, if necessary, also an artificial oneobviously building special basins intended for energy production.
This mass of water flowing at high speeds is conveyed by man into special pipes which transport it to a turbine which transforms this kinetic energy into mechanical energy. Then, thanks to an alternator, the energy produced is converted into electric current and distributed to the grid.
Hydroelectric energy and wind energy are also two extremely efficient renewable sources which, if installed in the right place, can guarantee a large quantity of energy
It’s worth considering too marine energy which can be produced via the mareethe wherethe sea currents or with the temperature difference between surface water and deep water.
Different systems such as turbines or specially developed conversion plants can be used to provide energy production.
These are quite efficient and 100% clean systems, the only drawback is that they cannot be installed everywhere (obviously a significant mass of water is needed) and could cause dei “problems” to the landscape exactly like any factory does.
Also wind energy it is a clean and highly efficient source of energy.
In this case it is used kinetic energy of the wind which, by rotating gigantic rotating blades, generates mechanical energy which is then converted into electrical energy via an alternator.
Here too, the underlying problem is essentially that of these gigantic shovels that disfigure the landscape
Biomass, efficient but not always sustainable
The energy produced from biomass it is renewable and works through the reuse of organic waste products which, instead of being destroyed or abandoned in landfills, are reused to produce energy.
There are essentially two production methods: via thermal and thermochemical processeswith these materials being burned to produce steam which is channeled into special pipes which set in motion turbines which produce electricity.
Alternatively, processes can be used biochemical conversion that is, through fermentation.
In this sense it is worth delving deeper into the discussion on advanced biofuels as the biomethaneil biodiesel and the bioethanol.
Il biomethanefor example, has qualities similar to those of natural gas and can be used for heating, domestic purposes or to power vehicles.
Il biodieselhowever, it can be used for vehicles (often mixed with classic diesel) or for home heating.
Finally the bioethanol an alcohol that can be produced by fermenting organic materials and can be used as fuel (often mixed with gasoline).
To find out more: Electricity, new technologies in the name of sustainability and energy saving