As the impact of climate change on Earth becomes severe, the need for renewable energy solutions is being felt worldwide. Utilizing the natural resources of wind, water, and solar power is great, however, diverse industries also constantly struggle with power storage.
A sustainable solution is required to distribute sufficient energy without facing issues like production, varied demands, sudden grid faults, maintenance costs, etc. To counter all these, developed countries like the US, China, and the EU have increased funding for energy-efficient projects.
that pave the way for an efficient and reliable future.
< Alt-Text: Balancing the Pros and Cons of Renewable Energy Solution
Dependence on Environmental Conditions
From using traditional fossil fuels to using technology in every sphere, we have developed electrical, thermal, and fuel power sources. However, according to the latest report by Statista, worldwide energy consumption is set to peak at over 854 quadrillion British units by 2050.
The biggest challenge is the intermittency of environmental factors. It means the power produced by solar and wind energies depends on weather conditions. People utilize energy in different ways in the cold and hot seasons.
When the climate becomes too hot due to increased emissions or fluctuating wind speed, it interrupts the natural cycle of the environment. This interrupts and disbalances the proper distribution of energy according to the requirements.
Until an efficient power storage system is sought to preserve the surplus energy, the following solutions are used by many private and government authorities:
Lithium-ion Batteries System:
Due to their cost-effective and easy availability, lithium-ion batteries are utilized which are connected to on-site solar battery systems. This prevents purchasing extra electricity costs and also reduces carbon emissions.
The challenge lies in its extraction which can have negative effects on groundwater and soil contamination. One possible solution to this is using nanotechnology and highly efficient fuel cells to convert hydrogen to electricity.
THINGS TO CONSIDER Manufacturers of big companies use special prefabricated lithium battery storage buildings to protect them from external damage as they are highly inflammable.
Utilizing Pumped Hydroelectric Storage (PSH):
Most electricity manufacturers and environment experts promote pumped hydroelectric storage as a better renewable storage system. Water is pumped from the ground-level reservoirs and stored appropriately. When there is a need to irrigate the fields or produce more electricity, the same stored water is released as per the requirement.
In fact, PSH is utilized in many underdeveloped countries as well as the most sustainable source of energy. However, the challenges that come with using hydropower are:
This storage solution also depends on the topology of the area like hills and mountains.
With adequate water availability, these geological locations can then be used to distribute excess water to the neighboring states.
Though pumped hydro storage is great, the lack of suitable sites for hydropower and its storage is equally challenging.
It may hurt the natural groundwater levels as pumping it requires excess electrical energy itself.
STATISTICS The graph shows the global pumped hydro storage market analysis from 2023 to 2035.
Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) Solution:
With the help of wind turbines, the electricity produced is converted into highly compressed air and stored. It can be released according to the requirements using a pneumatic motor into turbine generators for electricity again.
The advantage of using this power solution is that large amounts of energy can be easily stored for a long time. In this way, it also decreases the electrical grid’s burden, which is a major challenge for renewable energy storage.
Thermal Energy Storage System:
While it is easier to use natural resources, like solar and water, geothermal energy is also considered valuable for generating power. It works by heating a medium at a very high temperature, stored in a well-insulated cylinder for a significant amount of time, and used later when excess electricity is required.
It is mostly used in thermal power plants as a backup electricity source to produce heat for industrial purposes, desalination of water, in colling and manufacturing processes.
As you can see, these renewable energy sources are available but not widely used. They are still at a developing stage because of the high cost of maintenance. To work smarter and faster integrating the green power solutions, we need advanced solutions as mentioned below.
Smart Grid Solution
One of the best ways for renewable energy storage is integrating smart grid solutions. These are electricity networks with sensors and software to determine the supply and demand of power in an area. This not only saves time but also streamlines the complete process of adequate distribution across diverse channels.
It uses the following digital technologies:
Real-time monitoring
Advanced metering system
Automate distribution and consumption
Future Opportunities for Energy Storage
for technology and innovation for renewable energy storage to progress further require public, private, and government support. As we mentioned earlier in this article, government bodies are taking initiatives by funding research projects, awareness and equal contribution are also needed from private companies.
It means modifying those challenging regulatory frameworks that often hinder the implementation of electricity distribution. At the same time, relevant steps should also be taken to preserve our natural resources.
In the innovation sector, environmental engineers and experts suggest utilizing hydrogen fuel cells, flow batteries, and superconducting magnetic energy systems. These technologies have the potential for large-scale storage for a longer duration, smart grid solution, with minimal loss.
Conclusion
The future of renewable energy solutions is slowly transforming industries, but a lot more has to be done. It requires a collaborative effort from innovators, manufacturing companies, and government funding and support.
Exploring different types of energy resources is a constant challenge but it is the perfect method to utilize the natural resources for a sustainable future. Also, learn about Energy Efficiency in Firmware by reading this article.
