Renewable Energy Sources' Challenges

Renewable energy is characterized as the energy that is collected from natural resources. Lately, there has been increasing interest in renewable energy, which has become one of the main energy generation sources.

FREMONT, CA: Most green energy sources rely on natural, uncontrolled recourses such as the sun, wind, or ocean waves.

Availability of Power

One of the biggest concerns in renewable energy is power generation depending on natural resources that are uncontrollable by humans. For example, solar-powered electricity is generated only when sunshine is available and turned off at night; wind energy also depends on the availability of wind, so if the wind speed is very low, the turbine will not turn, resulting in zero power flow to the grid.

On the contrary, too much wind can damage the generator, so a delicate balance must be maintained to keep a consistent energy generation. In addition, the doubt in energy production in renewable energy technologies is making integration more complicated.

Power Quality Issues

Consistently high power quality is required to ensure stability and high efficiency of the network. The quality of the power supply enables the system to work well with high reliability and lower costs.

But, poor power quality can significantly affect the power grid and industrial processes. As a result, it can cause high costs and equipment failure. Power quality problems incorporate frequency disorder, voltage/current harmonics, low power factor, voltage variation, and transmission line transits.

Resource Location

Most renewable energy plants that share their energy with the grid need large areas of space. Furthermore, in most cases, renewable energy sources are dictated by location, which can be off-putting to users.

Firstly, some renewable energy sources are not available in various regions. Also, the distance between the renewable energy source and the grid is a major aspect of cost and efficiency. In addition, renewable energy sources depend on the weather, climate, and geographical location, meaning that one sort of energy generation is not suitable for the region.

Information Barrier

While this area is enhancing, there is a lack of information and awareness about the advantages and need for renewable energy. Investment and capital allowances have been made available to implement renewable energies. There is a clear demand for government agencies to assist and advise applicants and potential recipients on how to go about applying for renewable energy incentives.

Cost Issue

The great initial cost of installation is one of the main hurdles in the growth of renewable energy. Although the result of a coal plant requires about $6 per megawatt, it is known that wind and solar power plants also require high investment. In addition, the generated energy storage systems are expensive and represent a real challenge in megawatt production.