RES

Renewable energy sources – what are they? Types of RES

Electricity is obtained in Poland mainly from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, lignite, oil and natural gas. These fuels contain carbon and carbon compounds of organic origin. These are the so-called. Conventional, non-renewable energy sources.

The mining and burning of coal has an adverse impact on the environment – huge amounts of carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides and other pollutants are released into the atmosphere. In addition, deposits of coal and other fossil fuels are slowly depleting and require more and more resources to extract them.

An alternative to fossil fuels are renewable energy sources known as “renewable energy”. RES. Until a few years ago, the development of renewable energy in Poland was seen solely as a measure to reduce the burden on the environment and increase energy security. The Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have made the development of renewable energy sources a necessity and part of a much broader EU strategy. It primarily aims to reduce fossil fuel imports and create new jobs related to the sector.

Green energy in Poland, is mainly electricity generated from solar, wind, water, biomass, biogas and geothermal, but it is wind farms that could change the energy market the most. In 2021. Onshore wind farms accounted for the largest share of RES energy production in Poland, providing as much as 54% of the total energy generated by renewable sources.

The development of renewable energy should be based primarily on distributed generation, which contributes to the reduction of energy transmission losses and thus significantly improves energy security and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Why use renewable energy sources? Benefits of RES

Renewable energy sources, also known as renewable energy RES, are a key component of today’s energy transition. These are sources that can be used without fear of exhaustion. In Poland, the share of renewable energy sources is gradually increasing. The installed capacity of RES is growing, and developing these technologies is becoming increasingly important.

Renewable energy sources have many advantages. The pluses of renewable energy sources are mainly environmental friendliness, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, creating national energy independence and creating new jobs. Importantly, they do not address concerns about resource depletion, which is characteristic of non-renewable energy sources such as oil and coal.

It is worth investing in renewable energy sources to contribute to sustainable development and environmental protection. One of the biggest benefits of RES is the fight against global warming and climate change. By doing so, we can ensure a better future for our children and future generations.

Renewable energy uses free and infinite energy, allowing you to reduce, significantly, your electricity bills and even make money through surplus energy. Renewable energy sources are characterized by high efficiency and no harmful emissions. RES technologies are safer than traditional stoves or boilers. And they also provide independence from energy suppliers.

Types of renewable energy sources

In accordance with the provisions of the Law of February 20, 2015. on renewable energy sources – renewable, non-fossil energy sources include wind energy, radiant energy, solar energy, aerothermal energy, geothermal energy, hydrothermal energy, hydroelectric energy, wave, current and tidal energy, energy obtained from biomass, biogas, agricultural biogas and bioliquids.

Solar (solar) energy

Solar energy reaches the earth in the form of solar radiation. The energy potential from the sun far exceeds current energy needs and is considered one of the most valuable sources of renewable energy. It can be utilized by installing photovoltaic panels and solar panels.

Solar energy is inexpensive, clean and has been the fastest growing renewable energy source over the past decade. It can be used to generate electricity and heating, while helping reduce the EU’s dependence on energy imports by replacing domestic production.

Wind energy

Wind is a clean, free and inexhaustible resource. Air in motion has mass and stores large amounts of kinetic energy. Thus, the wind has a lot of power, while the rotor blades of a wind turbine can convert it into electricity. Wind energy content increases with altitude and depends on the type of terrain. At the same time, the energy efficiency of the turbine, over its lifetime, is much greater than the energy consumed in its construction, operation and dismantling. From an environmental point of view, therefore, generating energy using wind power is the best option.

Hydropower

Hydropower is based on using the kinetic energy of flowing water. It is necessary to dam it up so that it flows into the turbine – kinetic energy is converted into mechanical energy. It further goes to a generator, which converts it into electricity, which is transferred to the power grid.

More than 17% of global electricity demand is currently met through hydropower. The largest use of this energy source is recorded in China, India, Brazil and the United States, while in Europe the Scandinavian countries lead the way. Poland also uses water resources to generate electricity, and hydropower ranks third in the hierarchy of renewable energy sources in our country.

Geothermal energy

Geothermal waters in Poland are found in about two-thirds of the country’s territory, but the technical and economic conditions for building geothermal plants do not exist everywhere. Poland’s geothermal potential is used to a small extent. In 2019. There were 327 geothermal district heating plants in Europe with a total installed thermal capacity of about 5,500 MWt. In Poland in 2019. six geothermal heating plants operating to serve the city’s district heating networks were in operation. The total installed geothermal capacity of these heat plants was 75 MWt, and annual heat production was 996 TJ, accounting for 95% of the country’s total geothermal heat production.

Thermal water deposits in Poland are located mainly in the Polish Lowlands, the Carpathian Mountains, the Carpathian foothills and the Sudetes. These include extensive reservoirs of regional importance, as well as small pools in some areas, such as the Podhale. The thermal waters are mainly used for heating purposes in existing geothermal heat plants, as well as for recreational purposes in various towns such as Szaflary, Bukowina Tatrzańska, Białka Tatrzańska and Mszczonów.

Biomass energy – biogas and biofuels

Biomass, is organic matter, i.e. substances of plant and animal origin that decompose, i.e. biodegrade. The process of converting biomass into energy takes place in thermal power plants, where the combustion of organic matter produces heat that converts water in the thermodynamic cycle into steam. The steam causes the turbine to rotate, which sets the alternator rotor in motion, producing an alternating electric current.

Biomass and its varieties, is the third largest renewable energy source in the world, while in Poland it is the second most used (after wind energy) renewable energy source. In 2019. Biomass and biogas accounted for 19% of the share of installed RES capacity. EU leaders Germany produces 33 times more of this fuel than Poland.

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