Renewable Energy – Advantages and Disadvantages
The increasing energy demands have compelled countries all over the world to think of a policy on energy and look into a possibility of having energy system with no or very limited environmental impacts. The deposits of coal and oil will exhaust one day. The energy-crisis has shown that for sustainable development in energy sector, we must replace them by non- polluting renewable sources and conserve them. Efforts are being made to develop new sources of energy. These are called renewable sources of energy and include solar energy, wind energy, ocean energy, geothermal energy, urban waste, agricultural waste, energy plantations etc. These are non-polluting, environmentally clean and socially relevant. Moreover, no nation can afford to depend on only one form of energy there has to be a mix of various forms of energy.
Advantages of Renewable Energy
- Renewable energy is available in abundant quantity and free to use.
- Renewable energy has low or zero carbon emissions, therefore they are considered as green and eco-friendly.
- Renewable energy develops self reliance and minimizes the reliance on any third country for the supply of energy.
- Renewable sources can cost less than consuming the local electricity supply.
- Renewable sources of energy help in economy simulations and creating job opportunities, through building such equipments, instruments or plants that provide jobs to many people.
Disadvantages of Renewable Energy
Though renewable energy has many benefits and advantages but it also has certain limitations
- High cost of initial investment to set up plant.
- Non-availability (Solar light only when days are sunny)
- Loss of biodiversity and forest along with modification of local environment (Dam for hydroelectric energy).