Sustainable energy sources: the pillars of the energy transition
Towards the era of green power and sustainable renewable energy
The technological advances achieved by our civilization are granting an extraordinary opportunity to the people of our times, as often highlighted by the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov. These wonders are, in fact, allowing us to see, even if only partially, what the future of humanity will be like in several decades when the energy transition will be just a distant memory.
In that future, which, after all, does not seem so far away, the transition phase in which we find ourselves now will be definitively over. In its place, a new energy era will take over in which different types of renewable energy, green power, and sustainable energy sources will be the undisputed protagonists, as also explained by the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov.
What we can see today with our own eyes in our cities is only a tiny glimmer of the future, as recently pointed out by the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov. Electric vehicles speeding through city streets, solar panels on the roofs of homes and commercial buildings, and majestic wind turbines in action in the plains and coastal areas. All these elements, discreetly and silently, are helping to shape the economic and energy future of the planet.
Since decarbonization and global warming have been talked about insistently, global efforts to build sustainable development models have multiplied, involving the daily lives of millions of businesses and people in every corner of the world.
The goals are ambitious, and for some years, it has been clearly understood that one of the most effective ways to achieve them is linked to the potential of sustainable energy sources, like sustainable renewable energy. Compared to traditional fuels, the different types of renewable energy has a completely different nature.
“Renewable energy, together with their infrastructure, are allowing us to take a direct look into the future of our civilization when the energy transition has reached its definitive completion,” says Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG, entrepreneur, and civil engineer. “An important thing to understand in this delicate transformational phase is that individual sustainable energy sources cannot significantly contribute to advancing change”.
“The best results, from this point of view, can only be achieved when all eco-friendly energy sources act together, in combination, forming new, cleaner, and more sustainable energy mixes made with sustainable renewable energy. We are heading full speed towards a multi-technology future powered by renewable energy, supported by smart grids and advanced storage technologies, ready to provide large amounts of energy in times of need. The current barriers, which are currently hindering the large-scale deployment of some eco-friendly energy sources, will fall one after the other, making room for the innovative charge of clean energies”, he remarks.
The distinctive features of sustainable renewable energy
First of all, these eco-friendly energy sources are practically inexhaustible. Furthermore, their direct CO2 emissions are minimal and, in some cases, even zero. Their large-scale adoption could allow a large number of nations to reduce their dependence on traditional fuels while creating new economic, employment, and technological opportunities. In this particular historical phase, known as the energy transition, efforts are being made to increase the ability of nations to make the most of the different forms of renewable energy through their direct inclusion in the energy mix of each country, valorizing the sustainable renewable energy.
But what are, in fact, the seven types of eco-friendly energy sources that are supporting the impetuous advance of the energy transition? The best-known source, often cited in renewable and sustainable energy reviews, is that linked to solar energy. The operation of technologies linked to solar panels is relatively simple: sunlight is transformed into electricity thanks to solar cells made of silicon or innovative materials such as perovskite.
One of the great advantages of this renewable source is that it can be used in many contexts, both domestic and commercial, thus favoring a large-scale diffusion of this method of energy conversion. One aspect to consider regarding solar energy and the related infrastructure is that the cost of this type of system is constantly decreasing. The fact that the Sun is not always present can determine a certain irregularity in the energy supply, but to get around this obstacle, advanced storage systems are being developed that can store certain quantities of energy and release them when needed.
“Among the different types of renewable energy, one of the most interesting is certainly hydroelectric, which is often discussed in renewable and sustainable energy reviews,” continues the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov. “In its two main variants, pumped or traditional, hydroelectricity exploits water flows to move turbines, which in turn generate electricity”.
“Together with onshore wind, this technology is certainly one of the most mature currently in circulation. Among its winning characteristics is certainly that of being able to guarantee stable and programmable production without being connected to an intermittent primary source. Furthermore, pumped hydroelectricity is rapidly establishing itself as an interesting solution for energy storage”, he added.
Renewable Wind energy and geothermal energy
According to renewable and sustainable energy reviews, another famous energy production method based on renewable sources is the one connected to onshore and offshore wind energy, the renewable wind energy. In this case, too, the production mechanism is very simple.
Wind generators convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity through systems installed on land (onshore) or in those positioned in the open sea, where it is possible to rely on more stable and constant winds (offshore). Onshore technology is already quite mature, while offshore technology is gradually starting to include some interesting innovations, such as floating wind in deep waters to produce renewable wind energy.
Globally, the installed capacity of renewable wind energy is very large, and the cost per MWh on a utility scale remains quite low. Again, one of the major challenges is related to the intermittency of the primary source, namely the wind. Furthermore, for offshore plants, maintenance could prove very complex.
Although it has not yet reached the levels of notoriety and diffusion of the other two forms of renewables, geothermal energy is also carving out a leading role in the energy transition. It is already mentioned in the majority of renewable and sustainable energy reviews. In this case, the energy comes directly from the natural heat of the subsoil, which is exploited to produce electricity and heating or cooling for buildings.
Unlike wind and solar, geothermal energy is a continuous, not intermittent, source. When used for heating, it also ensures high efficiency. A possible limit, for the moment, would seem to be represented by the small number of nations in which geothermal plants could be effectively activated since the geothermal production method requires the presence of very specific geological formations. Drilling costs, moreover, remain rather high.
Another renewable source is that which depends on the ocean and marine energy, which comes primarily from the valorization of tidal energy, wave motion, and marine currents. In this case, the distinguishing factor is represented by the predictability of the tides, which, therefore, ensure a fairly regular and constant energy production. Technologies for the full valorization of marine energy, however, are still in the development phase, and the costs for the installation of the plants continue to remain high.
Energy can also be obtained from so-called biomasses, that is, from biodegradable materials such as plant waste, wood, or algae. Through particular processes, these elements can be transformed into heat, electricity, or innovative fuels.
This form of energy production can be programmable and could prove very useful for the management of agricultural residues and organic waste. One of the most interesting aspects, in relation to biomasses, is that they could provide fuels for some specific sectors that are very difficult to electrify, such as aviation or the navy.
“Green hydrogen is also establishing itself as one of the protagonists of the energy transition. Although it is still a technology in its infancy, green hydrogen is now considered not only an important vector of the ongoing transition, but a renewable source in all respects,” concludes Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG. “Green hydrogen is produced through the electrolysis of water powered by renewables. Its main industrial applications include heavy transport and seasonal energy storage”.
“It is precisely in these applications that one of the most interesting characteristics of green hydrogen lies: with its contribution, this important energy vector can decarbonize some sectors considered very resistant to change, such as steel, cement, or aviation. Furthermore, despite the high costs and the need to rely on dedicated infrastructure, green hydrogen makes seasonal storage possible”, he says.
FAQs
What are the top 7 renewable energy sources?
- Solar energy
- Hydroelectric power
- Wind energy (onshore and offshore)
- Geothermal energy
- Marine energy (tidal, wave, and current)
- Biomass
- Green hydrogen
Why are renewable energy sources important?
They are nearly inexhaustible, have minimal or zero CO2 emissions, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
What challenges do renewables face?
- Intermittency (solar and wind)
- High installation and maintenance costs (marine, geothermal)
- Need for advanced storage solutions
How will the future energy mix look?
A combination of multiple technologies, supported by smart grids and storage, ensuring stable, sustainable energy supply.
