Chapter 1: Introduction to Renewable Energy

Chapter 1

Slide 1: Introduction to Energy Needs

  • Global Energy Demand: Overview of increasing energy needs.
  • Energy Consumption by Sector: Industrial, residential, transportation.
  • Importance of Sustainable Energy Sources.

Slide 2: Fossil Fuels and Their Impact

  • Types of Fossil Fuels: Coal, oil, natural gas.
  • Environmental Impact: Greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.

Slide 3: Climate Change and CO₂ Emissions

  • CO₂ as a Greenhouse Gas: Role in global warming.
  • Historical Trends: CO₂ concentration over time.
  • Impact on Climate: Temperature rise and its consequences.

Slide 4: Why Renewable Energy is Necessary

  • Resource Depletion: Limits of fossil fuel reserves.
  • Sustainability Goals: Global efforts for sustainable energy.

Slide 5: What is Renewable Energy?

  • Definition: Energy sources that are naturally replenished.
  • Examples: Solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and hydropower.

Slide 6: Solar Energy Overview

  • Solar Power: Photovoltaic (PV) cells and solar thermal systems.
  • Energy Potential: Availability of solar energy worldwide.

Slide 7: Wind Energy Basics

  • Wind Turbines: Horizontal and vertical axis types.
  • Power Extraction: Basic principles of wind energy conversion.

Slide 8: Hydropower Systems

  • How it Works: Dams, turbines, and water flow.
  • Energy Conversion: Kinetic to electrical energy.

Slide 9: Biomass Energy

  • Biomass Resources: Organic materials like wood, agricultural waste.
  • Conversion Technologies: Biofuels, biogas, and direct combustion.

Slide 10: Geothermal Energy

  • Heat from the Earth: Use of geothermal reservoirs.
  • Applications: Power generation and direct heating.

Slide 11: Ocean Energy

  • Types: Wave energy, tidal energy, and OTEC.
  • Challenges: Cost and technological maturity.

Slide 12: Challenges in Adopting Renewable Energy

  • Intermittency Issues: Solar and wind variability.
  • Storage Solutions: Batteries, pumped hydro storage.

Slide 13: The Role of Governments and Policies

  • Incentives: Subsidies, tax breaks, and feed-in tariffs.
  • International Agreements: Paris Agreement, Kyoto Protocol.

Slide 14: Economic Analysis of Renewable Energy

  • Cost Comparison: Renewable vs. fossil fuels.
  • Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE): Definition and examples.

Slide 15: Case Study: Solar Energy Adoption in Germany

  • Growth of Solar Power: Installed capacity over years.
  • Impact on Energy Mix: Reduction in fossil fuel dependency.

Slide 16: Global Trends in Renewable Energy

  • Installed Capacity: Trends in wind, solar, and hydro.
  • Leading Countries: China, USA, EU.

Slide 17: Technological Innovations in Renewables

  • Advancements: Improvements in PV efficiency, wind turbine design.
  • Future Technologies: Floating solar farms, offshore wind.

Slide 18: Barriers to Transitioning to Renewables

  • Financial Barriers: High upfront costs.
  • Infrastructure Needs: Grid upgrades and energy storage.

Slide 19: Social and Environmental Benefits of Renewables

  • Job Creation: Employment in the renewable energy sector.
  • Reduction in Pollution: Cleaner air and water.

Slide 20: Summary and Key Takeaways

  • Importance of Renewable Energy: For sustainable development.
  • Key Technologies: Solar, wind, hydro, biomass, geothermal.
  • Next Steps: Review of thermal sciences in Chapter 2.