Question

List at least 2 different sources of renewable energy.  For each of these renewable energy sources that you listed, explain at least one positive aspect of it and one negative aspect of it.

Answer 1

Renewable energy sources are energy sources that depend on natural renewable sources such as wind, solar or tidal energies to generate power.

two examples of renewable energy sources:

1) Solar energy

Advantages:

• Pollution-free and so is a clean energy source. It does not generate environmentally harmful byproducts such as greenhouse gases.
• Once installed, solar panels have a long life and can be maintained at very little maintenance for even up to 30 years.

Disadvantages

• High cost for initial installation in terms of equipment. It also takes up a lot of space to install enough Solar panels.
• Since it cannot be generated at night when the power consumption is high, the need for battery storage is high.

2) Wind energy

Advantages

• As with most of the renewable sources of energy, wind energy is also a pollution-free clean energy source.
• In addition, it requires less space for installation and so can be used at multiple scales such as for domestic or industrial use.
• It is also one of the most cost-effective renewable sources of energy in the immediate run.

Disadvantages

• Location is a limiting factor for wind energy procurement as we need open spaces with a lot of wind.
• The wind is fluctuating and so cannot be relied on for a constant supply of power.
• It also results in high levels of noise due to the movement of the blades.