With the successes of some countries going almost carbon-neutral and some countries making strides in doing so, there is growing confidence that carbon-neutral world may not be impossible to achieve some day. Fossil fuels, however, for availability in abundance and cost-effectiveness may still dominate the fuel mix well into the future. But winter is getting severe while summer is becoming unbearably hot and humid, Tsunamis, tidal surges, cyclones, draughts, bush fires, and flooding visiting very frequently. Sea level is rising. The threats that many coastal countries getting wiped out from world map, now appears credible. Unless countries realise the renewable energy target commitments in full within the agreed schedule for limiting global warming below 1.5 degree Celcius by 2100, we must have to embrace catastrophe and disaster. The clarion calls of green activists for saving the earth is gaining popularity.
It goes without saying that fossil fuel – coal and oil – to some lesser extent responsible for carbon emission. Leading countries of the world caused major global emissions without caring for the consequences. Green house gases created global warming – the consequences are now being seen across the world. Countries are increasingly moving to solar, hydro, wind, nuclear and other forms of green energy. Some 12 countries of the world are now global leaders in green energy use. A recent study by Stanford Universityresearchers predicted that the world could be powered entirely by renewable energy in just 20 to 40 years from now. It may not happen as appeared in the findings of the research, but the circumstances would alter the cases. What was thought almost impossible only a few years back have started coming real.
Almost 50 countries that would be adversely affected by climate change have agreed to make their energy production 100% renewable by the year 2050and countries all over the world are actively embracing solar, wind, and geothermal energy. Iceland, Sweden, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, United Kingdom, Germany, Uruguay, Denmark, China, Morocco, USA and Kenya appeared as the leading countries approaching admirably towards green energy.
Green Energy Leading Countries
Iceland has now 100% of its energy generated from renewable sources. It generates all its energy for electricity and home heating from geothermal and hydro electricity plants. Its renewable power plants have also turned tourists favoured destination.
Sweden is approaching fast to achieving 100% reliance on renewable source for power generation. They have beefed up investment in solar power, wind energy, energy storage, smart grid and clean transport.
Costa Rica is a small country with only 4.9 million people (less than the people living in Dhanmondi, Uttara and Gulshan). It has 67 volcanoes, some of which are active. The country meets most of its energy from geothermal, solar and wind sources. They have a target for going 100% carbon neutral by 2021.
Nicaragua is another Central American country where renewable energy is growing in importance. They also have a number of volcanoes. Geothermal energy is their main source of power generation. Government has also made sizeable investment in wind, solar, and geothermal energy with a national target of achieving 90% reliance on renewable energy by 2020.
United Kingdom was traditionally coal power dominated country till huge natural gas discovered in the North Sea. TheUK is also a windy country and as such wind power generation has gained momentum and popularity. Combination of grid connected wind power and standalone turbines now contribute more than coal power plants. On some days, Scotland generates almost 100% electricity from wind power. Ireland can also do that on some days.
Germany is another country which has shifted from coal power to green power at a greater pace than many others. For being a cloudy country, Germany has done wonderfully well with solar power in recent years. Though it relies to some extent on nuclear power import from France, its renewable energy output has increased eightfold over the last 20 years. Almost 80% of its power generation comes from renewable sources.
Uruguay can be a roll model for countries endeavouring for growing green. With strong regulatory policy and effective public private partnership, they could secure required investment in solar and wind power without increasing subsidy and keeping costs within affordable limits. In less than 10 years, it achieved 90% reliance on renewable energy for power generation.
Denmark has a national vision for going green by 2050. The plan is to rely almost exclusively on wind power. They achieved 40% of generation on renewable in 2014 and well on its way of achieving 50% generation from renewable sources by 2020.
It is pleasing that the largest polluter of the world, China, is also now the biggest investor in renewable energy. China now owns five of the six world’s largest solar module manufacturing firms. China is also the largest wind turbine manufacturer. China, of course, has the world’s largest electricity utility. They are fully committed for drastically reducing the use of polluting fossil fuel.
Morocco is an African country where sun shines round the year. It has made huge investment in solar. The first phase of world’s largest concentrated solar power plant has recently been put to commercial operation. In combination with wind power and hydro-electricity, concentrated solar plant supplies enough energy to one million houses in Morocco.
The United States of America possesses the world’s largest solar PV capacity. In wind power, it ranks second to China. But being the largest energy consumer, the impact of renewable energy to over all energy use is not much visible. It is estimated that without impacting on consumer electricity cost, USA can reduce emissions by 80% in 15 years.
From a net electricity-importing country, Kenya is endeavoring to reverse by investing massively in geothermal energy production. The country also possesses Africa’s largest wind farm, providing about 20% of the country’s installed electricity generation capacity.
The Options
Solar: Solar offers unlimited energy supply and individual properties have opportunities of generating own power directly from the sun. In recent times, great innovations have been made in battery storage and costs are greatly reduced within affordable limits. Concentrated Solar is getting popularity. There may not be enough space for grid solar plants in thickly populated countries, but rooftop solar, solar irrigation, solar home heating are the innovations. In islands and desert areas, solar plants can be preferred options. Solar plants can be coupled with hydropower plants and wind farms also.
Wind:Wind turbine is another option for unlimited supply for its worldwide availability. Countries can benefit from it carrying reliable surveys for wind mapping and setting up turbines in right areas. There have been revolutionary changes in wind turbine design and engineering making these cost effective.
Tidal Power: Tidal power can be another source in coastal areas and Islands. This can generate a considerable amount of energy. The tidal barrages can have built for serving multiple purposes. It can be built as a bridge or for flood prevention. Tidal systems could lower tidal flow and block the flow of sewage out to sea.
Wave Technology: Like tidal power, it is ideal for island countries.
Geothermal Energy: It potentially offers an infinite energy supply, but it's only suitable for countries like Iceland and New Zealand where there's volcanic activity. These systems can be expensive to establish, and there's the risk of geothermal and volcanic activity reducing. Another potential downside is that the generation process can bring up dangerous substances that need to be carefully disposed of.
Biomass: Biomass is inexpensive and widely available. Where crops are re-planted, it can be a sustainable, long-term source of energy. However, on the negative side, biomass is burned in the energy-generation process and so it emits pollutants, including greenhouse gases.
Wood: Wood is also inexpensive and widely available, and like biomass, it can be sustainable for the long-term if trees are re-planted at an adequate rate. However, like biomass it leads to atmospheric pollutants since it's burned to generate energy.
There are some other energy generating sources which are also clean, but not renewable. They do not emit carbon di oxide and other green house gases. Nuclear power is one such. It does not emit C02 or Green house gases.
Reality: The world has gone past peak oil regime, coal will also go past peak soon. But for abundance of coal and oil and their worldwide well established supply global networks, upstream and downstream linkages, it is highly unlikely that coal or oil would soon come out completely from fossil fuel use in foreseeable future. Countries which have very small population, have geothermal, solar and wind power prospects would achieve may be 100% green energy targets as scheduled. Countries having huge population like China, India, Indonesia and Bangladesh and poor countries having limited own resources and limited technical and managerial capacity would have to depend on fossil fuel for a considerable period of time. These countries need huge energy within short time for sustained economic growth. But nevertheless there is no scope going for polluting fuels without applications of state of the art modern technology. Industrially developed countries must also assist developing and least developed ones with generous contribution to green development fund and assist with technology transfer and training of professionals. If all these are put in place, achieving carbon-neutral world may not remain impossible eventually.
Saleque Sufi;
Contributing Editor, EP
