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/