Alternate energy, often referred to as alternative or renewable energy, encompasses energy sources that are not derived from traditional fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. These energy sources include solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, and nuclear energy. The significance of alternate energy lies in its potential to provide sustainable, environmentally friendly, and renewable energy solutions, essential for the long-term health of our planet and its inhabitants.
Underdeveloped countries are looking for alternate energy resources for several key reasons:
- Energy Access and Security: Many underdeveloped countries face challenges in providing reliable and affordable energy to their populations. Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, can be deployed in remote areas, enhancing energy access and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.
- Economic Development: Investing in renewable energy can stimulate economic growth by creating jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of renewable energy technologies. This can also attract foreign investment and reduce energy costs in the long term.
- Environmental Protection: Underdeveloped countries are often more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. By adopting renewable energy, these countries can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate environmental degradation, contributing to global climate goals.
- Cost Efficiency: The decreasing cost of renewable energy technologies makes them an attractive option for underdeveloped countries. Solar and wind power, in particular, have seen significant cost reductions, making them competitive with traditional fossil fuels.
- Health Benefits: Transitioning to cleaner energy sources can reduce air and water pollution, leading to better public health outcomes. This is particularly important in underdeveloped countries with more severe pollution-related health issues.
- Sustainable Development: Renewable energy supports sustainable development goals by providing a long-term, reliable energy supply that does not deplete natural resources. This aligns with global efforts to promote sustainable development and improve living standards.
By focusing on alternate energy resources, underdeveloped countries can address multiple socio-economic and environmental challenges, paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future.
Developed countries are also looking for alternate energy resources for several reasons:
- Climate Change Mitigation: Developed countries have significant greenhouse gas emissions and are committed to reducing their carbon footprint to combat global warming. Transitioning to renewable energy sources is a key strategy in meeting international climate agreements and reducing emissions.
- Energy Security: Diversifying energy sources with renewables reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels, enhancing national energy security and resilience against geopolitical risks and market volatility.
- Economic Opportunities: The renewable energy sector presents substantial economic opportunities, including job creation in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance. Investing in renewable energy technologies can drive innovation and economic growth.
- Technological Leadership: Developed countries aim to lead in the global renewable energy market by advancing and exporting cutting-edge technologies. This leadership strengthens their economic position and fosters international partnerships.
- Public Health: Reducing reliance on fossil fuels decreases air and water pollution, leading to improved public health outcomes. Cleaner energy sources help mitigate health issues related to pollution, such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
- Sustainability Goals: Developed countries are committed to sustainable development goals, which include transitioning to renewable energy to ensure a long-term, reliable, and sustainable energy supply.
By focusing on alternate energy resources, developed countries aim to address environmental, economic, and health challenges while positioning themselves as leaders in the global transition to a sustainable energy future.
Types of Alternate Energy:
- Solar Energy: Solar energy harnesses the power of the sun through photovoltaic cells in solar panels. These cells convert sunlight directly into electricity. Solar energy is abundant, renewable, and can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is versatile, being used for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
- Wind Energy: Wind energy utilizes wind turbines to convert kinetic energy from wind into mechanical power, which is then converted into electricity. Wind farms can be located onshore or offshore, providing a substantial source of renewable energy. Wind energy is clean, sustainable, and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
- Hydroelectric Energy: Hydroelectric power generates electricity by using the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is one of the oldest and most established forms of renewable energy. Hydroelectric plants can provide large-scale power generation and are capable of adjusting output to meet demand, offering a reliable energy source.
- Geothermal Energy: Geothermal energy exploits the heat from the Earth’s interior. This energy is accessed by drilling wells to tap into underground reservoirs of steam and hot water, which can be used to generate electricity or provide direct heating. Geothermal energy is reliable and available year-round, making it a stable energy source.
- Biomass Energy: Biomass energy is derived from organic materials such as plant and animal waste. These materials can be burned directly for heat or converted into biofuels. Biomass energy helps manage waste and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by substituting fossil fuels.
- Nuclear Energy: Nuclear energy is produced through nuclear reactions, typically fission, where atomic nuclei split to release energy. Nuclear power plants generate large amounts of electricity with low greenhouse gas emissions. However, nuclear energy comes with challenges, including radioactive waste management and high initial costs.
Advantages of Alternate Energy:
- Environmental Benefits: Alternate energy sources produce little to no greenhouse gases or pollutants, significantly reducing the impact on climate change and improving air quality.
- Sustainability: Renewable energy sources are abundant and naturally replenished, ensuring a continuous supply that does not deplete over time.
- Energy Security: Utilizing a diverse mix of renewable energy sources reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels, enhancing national energy security and resilience.
- Economic Benefits: The renewable energy sector creates jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance. Investment in renewable energy infrastructure stimulates economic growth and innovation.
Challenges and Solutions:
- Intermittency: Some renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, are intermittent and not always available. Solutions include developing advanced energy storage systems, such as batteries, and improving grid infrastructure to balance supply and demand.
- High Initial Costs: The upfront investment for renewable energy infrastructure can be high. However, costs are decreasing due to technological advancements and economies of scale. Government incentives and subsidies can also help offset initial expenses.
- Space Requirements: Certain renewable energy installations, like solar farms and wind turbines, require significant land or space. Innovative designs, such as floating solar panels and offshore wind farms, can mitigate these space constraints.
Why do we Need Alternate Energy?:
- Climate Change Mitigation: Transitioning to renewable energy is crucial for reducing carbon emissions and combating global warming. Renewable energy sources help lower the carbon footprint and slow the pace of climate change.
- Finite Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuel reserves are limited and will eventually deplete. Shifting to renewable energy ensures a sustainable and long-term energy supply.
- Health Benefits: Reduced air and water pollution from renewable energy sources lead to better public health outcomes, decreasing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases associated with fossil fuel pollution.
- Economic Stability: Diversifying energy sources with renewables protects economies from the volatility of fossil fuel markets and price fluctuations, fostering economic stability and growth.
The Pakistan Scenario
The energy sector in Pakistan poses a challenge to its economic development. The sector has made progress since 2013 in terms of power generation and reducing power outages, but it is still facing challenges due to the high cost of fuel sources, dependence on imported energy products, insufficient natural gas supplies, mounting debt, and outdated transmission and distribution systems.
In Year, 2022 Pakistan’s total installed power generation capacity is 43,775 MW, of which 59% of energy comes from thermal (crude oil/fossil fuels), 25% from hydro, 7% from renewable which includes solar and wind, and 9% from nuclear. Pakistan is taking steps towards meeting its energy demands and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Pakistan has set a target to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, and clean energy expansion will play a crucial role in achieving this objective. Most of the primary energy supply comes from oil and natural gas. Hydropower is the main renewable source of energy in the country but wind and solar PV’s shares are slowly growing. More than 40 million people remain without access to electricity and half the population lacks access to clean cooking facilities. Total energy supply (TES) includes all the energy produced in or imported to a country, minus that which is exported or stored. It represents all the energy required to supply end users in the country. Some of these energy sources are used directly while most are transformed into fuels or electricity for final consumption. Energy sources, particularly fossil fuels, are often transformed into more useful or practical forms before being used. For example, crude oil is refined into many different kinds of fuels and products, while coal, oil and natural gas can be burned to generate electricity and heat. Other forms of transformation, such as extracting gas or oil from coal, play a relatively minor role in the energy systems of most countries.
Total final consumption (TFC) is the energy consumed by end users such as individuals and businesses to heat and cool buildings, to run lights, devices, and appliances, and to power vehicles, machines and factories. It also includes non-energy uses of energy products, such as fossil fuels used to make chemicals. Some of the energy found in primary sources is lost when converting them to useable final products, especially electricity. As a result, the breakdown of final consumption can look very different from that of the primary energy supply (TES). Both are needed to fully understand the energy system.
Sources of Electricity Generation
Electricity can be generated in two main ways: by harnessing the heat from burning fuels or nuclear reactions in the form of steam (thermal power) or by capturing the energy of natural forces such as the sun, wind or moving water. The use of the Natural gas is the 35%of total generation where as Hydropower is 22%.
To get an accurate picture of energy efficiency in a country, it is important to first look at how and where energy is being used. Total final consumption (TFC) is the energy consumed by end users such as individuals and businesses to heat and cool buildings, to run lights, devices, and appliances, and to power vehicles, machines and factories. The domestic users are the Largest i.e Residential is 46%of total final energy consumption whereas the Industry 26%of total final energy consumption.
Renewables are an increasingly important source of energy as countries seek to reduce their CO2 emissions and dependence on imported fossil fuels. Renewables are mainly used to generate electricity, though renewable technologies can also be used for heating in homes and buildings. Renewable biofuels are also an emerging technology solution to decarbonize parts of the transport sector. The modern renewables exclude traditional uses of biomass, such as burning collected wood, agricultural byproducts, or dung for cooking or heating. This has serious negative consequences on health and the environment, including contributing to millions of deaths annually from air pollution, and is targeted for phase-out in international development and climate goals and in the IEA’s Net Zero scenario. The Share of modern renewables in final energy consumption in Pakistan is 7.98% whereas the trend is 5%
Fossil Oil
Oil-based fuels power millions of automobiles, aircraft, and ships around the world and are integral to modern life. But burning oil is also one of the leading sources of CO2 emissions. Efforts are underway to decarbonize sectors like transport that rely heavily on oil, but this is challenging in areas such as aviation where alternatives (e.g. electric power) still cannot match the energy density of petroleum fuels. The oil supply shown below combines crude and refined oil produces and includes oil production and oil imports minus oil that is exported or stored. The Share of oil in energy supply i2 19.9%of total energy supply
Natural gas
The natural gas has seen a growing role in power generation thanks to increased availability, flexibility and lower CO2 emissions than coal and oil, but emissions from natural gas will still need to be reduced significantly to meet international climate goals. The global energy market disruptions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have also demonstrated the energy security risks of reliance on imported gas, particularly in Europe. The Share of gas in energy supply 29%of total energy supply
Coal
Coal is still extensively used today in power generation and heavy industry due to its availability and low cost, as well as its role in certain industrial processes such as steelmaking. Because burning coal produces large amounts of CO2 and other pollutants, phasing out unabated coal will be essential to meet net zero emissions targets. The coal supply includes production and imports minus coal that is exported or stored. The Share of coal in energy supply 13.7%of total energy supply.
Conclusion:
The transition to alternate energy is not just an option but a necessity for a sustainable future. Renewable energy sources offer numerous environmental, economic, and health benefits, making them vital for addressing the pressing challenges of climate change and resource depletion. Continued investment, innovation, and international cooperation are essential to promote and integrate alternate energy solutions globally. By embracing renewable energy, we can ensure a cleaner, healthier, and more secure energy future for generations to come.
The author, Nazir Ahmed Shaikh, is a freelance writer, columnist, blogger, and motivational speaker. He writes articles on diversified topics. He can be reached at nazir_shaikh86@hotmail.com