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This album discusses renewable energy as a clean alternative to fossil fuels. It consists of 10 video subchapters on the Open Learn online moocs page. These resources include wind power, biomass, hydropower, wave and tidal power, solar power, and geothermal power. The nine videos introduce different approaches adopted in the UK and Europe, challenges faced, and future projects.
Wind power is one of the most widely used and rapidly growing renewable energy technologies. Germany is the largest producer of wind power today. Germany and Spain have taken significant steps in installing thousands of megawatts of wind power. In Western Europe, Germany has the largest number of wind turbines with more than 10,000 megawatts installed. Spain and Denmark also have significant capacity. Although the UK has good wind potential, its capacity is still relatively low. Increasing the UK's wind capacity requires investment and strong government policy.
In the UK, there is a wind farm at Kirkheaton owned by Kirkheaton Wind Farm. The project faced planning challenges, including visual impact, noise and effects on local ecology. After analysis and consultation, the wind farm application was approved despite opposition from the local council. Construction began and the three 600-kilowatt turbines became operational in May 2000. Despite some opposition from the local community, the majority of residents now support the wind farm.
In Wales, wind power developers are also building larger wind farms. Despite planning objections, most local people eventually supported the project. However, many environmental groups still criticize the UK government for its lack of effort in promoting wind power. The UK has good wind potential, but countries such as Denmark, Germany and Spain are more advanced in the development of this resource. One of the solutions adopted is to build wind farms offshore.
An example is the semi-offshore wind farm at Blyth Harbor, which is the first semi-offshore wind farm in the UK. Other companies have also built offshore wind farms off the North Sea coast. While there is still some resistance and concern, many locals now support wind power as a clean energy source. The development of wind power continues. Biofuels are fuels produced from plant or organic biomass, which can be used as substitutes for fossil fuels. Some examples of biofuels include biofuels, biogas, and hydroelectricity. Biofuel is one of the most common types of biofuel. It is a renewable fuel source that is used on a large scale to generate electricity. Biomass such as wood chips and agricultural residues can be burned to produce steam, which is then used to generate electrical power. Wood-fired power plants are well established in several European countries such as Sweden, Denmark and Austria. Biogas is another type of biofuel produced from decaying organic waste. Household waste, agricultural sludge, or animal manure can be used as feedstock to produce biogas. In the anaerobic process, bacteria convert organic waste into biogas which consists of a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide. This biogas can be used to generate heat and power, as well as a substitute for gasoline in modified vehicles.
Hydropower is a form of renewable energy that uses water power to generate electricity. Hydropower has long been used and is a major source of electricity in many countries. An example is the hydroelectric power station at Loch Sloy, UK, which uses the flow of water from tunnels and channels to drive turbines and generate electrical power.
Solar power is also an emerging form of renewable energy. Solar energy can be harnessed using photovoltaic panels that convert sunlight directly into electrical energy. Photovoltaic panels can be installed on roofs or building facades to generate electricity from sunlight. In some European countries such as Germany, the government encourages the use of photovoltaic panels through subsidy programs and legislation that ensures a high price is paid for renewable electricity fed into the grid.
In photovoltaic developments in the Netherlands, photovoltaic panels have been integrated directly into new housing developments. For example, a housing estate in Amersfoort has its own solar power plant of one megawatt. Photovoltaic panels are also used in schools and sports halls, making a significant contribution to the use of renewable energy. Through training of architects, property developers and public awareness, the use of photovoltaic panels in new buildings can be increased in the future. Wind and tidal energy are renewable energy sources that have great potential. The development of technologies to convert wave energy into electric power remains a major technical challenge. Scottish company Wavegen has developed a shoreline device called Limpet, which can convert the kinetic energy of waves into electricity. The Limpet power plant has been in operation since November 2000 with a capacity of 500 Kilowatts. The company is also developing bigger and better devices. Another company, Ocean Power Delivery, is also active in developing wave energy technology using hydraulics systems.
In addition to wave energy, tides are also a significant source of renewable energy. The tidal power plant in the Rance estuary in Brittany has successfully utilized tides to generate 240 megawatts of electricity. In the UK, tidal power could supply up to 20% of current electricity demand. Although the potential for tidal energy in the Severn estuary is also large, the high capital cost is an obstacle.
In addition to wave and tidal energy, geothermal energy is also a significant source of renewable energy. Geothermal energy is generated from the heat that lies beneath the earth's surface. This energy can be extracted through the use of hot water from aquifers or through the use of rocks pumped with water to produce steam that is used to turn turbines and generate electricity. The government has created a market for renewable energy through renewable energy policies and other measures. However, the challenge is to ensure that the domestic renewable energy industry can thrive and create jobs. In addition, energy efficiency is also an important focus in creating a sustainable energy strategy.
In the long run, radical changes are needed in the way we live to widely implement renewable energy. While renewable energy can help meet the world's energy needs, we also need to consider environmental limits and sustainable economic goals. Endless economic growth needs to be questioned, and the focus needs to shift to how the economy can meet people's needs in a sustainable way.