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Types of Clean Energy - Unpacking the Fundamentals

When talking about sustainable development and reducing carbon emissions, the term ‘clean energy’ comes up quite a bit.

Although it has some overlap with the term ‘renewable energy’, these two concepts are not the same. Let’s dive into some basic definitions first, and then we’ll explore the types of clean energy and how they can be used in sustainable development.

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What is Clean Energy?

Clean energy encompasses any energy generation that has ultra low carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. That means it’s a broader category than renewable energy, which is quite specific about how the power is generated.

Rather than focusing strictly on renewables, clean energy also encompasses efficient power generation like fusion and fission based power sources. While not always as popular as the likes of solar and wind power, nuclear power sources provide a vital bridge between periodic energy generation (reliant on weather patterns) and on-demand energy generation.

In this way, clean energy focuses on the impact of power generation to the environment, rather than how ‘natural’ the power source might be. Natural doesn’t always mean low greenhouse gas (GhG) emissions, and the environment benefits from clean energy generation, whether or not it is considered renewable.

What Types of Clean Energy Are There?

Let’s start with renewable clean energy sources, as these are some of the most accessible ways to generate electricity on just about any budget. Then we’ll talk about nuclear options that are becoming more feasible for larger scale sustainable developments:

Solar

This is one of the most affordable and universal options when it comes to clean energy. Although the creation of solar panels can generate greenhouse gases, once they’re made they are a virtually emissions-free energy source.

Solar panels capture the sun’s rays and convert them to usable electricity. You will want available roof space or vacant elevated land that faces the sun in your area (south facing in the Northern Hemisphere, north facing in the Southern Hemisphere, straight up on the equator). A slightly different tech called solar thermal can also be used to directly heat buildings or water tanks.

Solar panels generally see optimal use in areas that get at least three peak solar hours a day on average. That’s the point where it makes financial sense to install a solar array (in the mid 2020s). The Global Solar Atlas will indicate if a site is too close to the North or South Pole to get at least three peak solar hours.

Geothermal

Another practically universal clean energy source is geothermal power. There are ‘hot spots’ in just about every country ranging from thermal springs to volcanic zones. They can be used to boil water (or another medium) and turn power generating turbines.

But many sustainable development projects make use of the renewable heating and cooling properties of geothermal. The heat difference between the surface of the planet and what can be found underneath represents a massive HVAC cost savings. By digging a series of pipes and conduits reaching just a few metres underground, a building can be much warmer in the cold months, and much cooler in the hot months.

Only regions that are temperate year-round will want to ignore this second application of geothermal technology. Everyone else should research the cost to benefit ratio, which is generally quite favourable.

Wind

Wind is another common type of clean energy that is nearly universal. While the production of wind turbines is not emissions-free, the carbon investment is rapidly recuperated. Wind power is one of the most popular renewable energy choices around the world, particularly in regions that don’t get a lot of peak sun exposure.

Wind turbines work by allowing moving air to turn blades that are attached to a generator. It’s one of the simplest types of clean energy, with windmills of various kinds having been used for over a thousand years.

While a company could set up low threshold wind turbines anywhere, the most successful and affordable wind installations are in areas with at least 5 metres per second wind speed averages. That’s a good threshold for some of the most efficient wind turbines on the market today. The Global Wind Atlas can be used to estimate local wind speed averages so that options can be properly assessed.

Hydropower

While most hydropower projects are massive in scale, ranging from tidal power to dam based power generation, smaller hydro projects are viable for developments who have legal access to flowing water sources. Hydropower scales up and down depending on the amount of water available on site.

Microhydro can be incorporated into a green energy plan in two different ways. The first is setting up a power station with a Turgo or Pelton water wheel, which requires more planning permission and expense, but can generate up to 100 kilowatt-hours of energy per day. The simpler setup is a Jack Rabbit turbine which is just dropped into flowing water to generate around 2 kilowatt-hours of green energy per day.

Hydro is highly location dependent, and can have heavy local regulation. But it’s as reliable as the local water source, and generates power both day and night.

Nuclear

The amount of energy that nuclear power produces when compared to the carbon emissions of both setup and operation is incredible. The environmental impact of any waste produced, even factoring in a century of operations, is miniscule when compared to the amount of cadmium and lead waste generated from the production and disposal of solar panels.

But outside of public grid production, nuclear power is only appropriate for large scale sustainable developments. It requires a lot of up front investment, a maintenance plan, planning permission, and regulation.

Right now (mid 2020s), small scale nuclear averages around $60[1]  per MegaWatt hour when all factors are considered. This is more expensive than solar, which clocks in at about $40 per MegaWatt hour. But some large developments will want full off-grid capabilities and round the clock power generation without a lot of temporary power storage, in which case nuclear becomes a viable option.

Source [1]  : https://www.utilitydive.com/news/advanced-nuclear-ge-hitachi-mwh-nuscale-smr-small-modular-reactor/630154/

How Can We Use Green Energy Generation in Sustainable Development?

Green energy solutions that empower sustainable development must be planned carefully in order to reap all of the potential cost and environmental benefits.

Most clients will want to research both the economic and practical benefits that the various types of clean energy offer.

For both residential and commercial green energy installations, the break even point is critical. Power costs in recent years (first half of the 2020s) have skyrocketed. The break-even point on solar installations in the EU and the US, even with some energy storage on site, has fallen below eight years in most places, and below five in sun-rich locations. Given that most solar installations last for 25 years or more, that’s a significant value.

Economy of scale has a lot to do with when a technology will break even. For example, an individual wind turbine might break even in 10 operational years. But a well located wind farm has a break even point of under seven years.

It’s vital that both residential and commercial clients analyse the types of clean energy that make the most sense in their area. Consider the green energy production levels in their area, the regulation involved, the up front costs, the break-even points for each technology, and their power consumption profile before making a final recommendation.

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