Developments of Renewable Energy: Drivers and Barriers

Developments of Renewable Energy: Drivers and Barriers

Olusoyi Richard Ashaye, Husam Helmi Alharahsheh, Abraham Pius
Copyright: © 2021 |Pages: 18
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-7114-9.ch010
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Abstract

The chapter is exploring and investigating key definitions and principles of renewable energy highlighting key distinctions between sustainable energy source and renewables, key associated theories of renewable energy such as diffusion theory, and drivers and barriers to renewable energy good practice guidelines. Furthermore, the chapter would focus on strategy, priority and monitoring, and evaluation policies to further provide clarity on how renewable energy is being implemented in practice. The chapter also discusses key dynamic aspects of deployment to further enable success of renewable energy adoption. The chapter is based on reviewing the published literature in the field, as well as other related publications such as professional reports to enhance relatedness to recent updates in policy and practice. The chapter provides key findings and recommendations on the role renewables play in dealing with climate change both in interim and long run, influences on policies, and incentives that would shape its deployment.
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Introduction: Background

There is the growing need for renewables use, which contributes to a country’s economic growth, including the developing countries (Graziani and Fornasioro, 2007).

After the second world war, there was increased hopes if cheap, plentiful and clean alternative to fossil fuels. The danger of nuclear energy is also installed because of the increased concerns about safety, cost, waste disposal and weapon proliferation.

The potentials for self-sufficiency in materials are derived from biomass and agricultural resources. There is the growing environmental awareness through the world and new environmental regulations are put in place which leads to societal concerns.

Renewable Energy: Definition

It is no gain saying that industrialized societies run on energy, population, GDP, consumption and production of pollution for the world (Nelson, 2011) Solar energy is referred to as renewable or sustainable energy because it is made available as long as the sun continues to shine. It is thus estimated that the remaining life of the main stage of the sun are another 4 to 5 billion years. There are various definitions of renewable energy. Whilst renewable energy is defined by Twidell and Weir, 1986 as ’energy obtained from continuous repetitive currents of energy recurring in the natural environment.’ In his own view, Sorensen (2000) describes renewable as energy flows that are replenished at the same rate as they are being used, and it’s principal source is solar radiation.

Principles and Concepts

Principles

Renewable energy sources are as a result of the demand from enormous power of the sun’s radiation. The need for renewed interest in the renewable energy sources is due to concern about sustainability of both fossil and nuclear fuel use (Boyle, 2012; Timmons, et al, 2014).

The distinctions between sustainable energy source and renewables are as follows:

Table 1.
Distinction between Sustainable and Renewable Energies (Source: Boyle, 2012)
Sustainable EnergyRenewable Energy
1Not substantially depleted by continued useEssentially inexhaustible
2Does not entail significant pollutant emissions or other environmental problemsTheir use usually entails fewer health hazards
3Does not involve the penetration of substantial health hazards or social injusticeMuch lower emissions of greenhouse gases or other pollutants

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