Topic 1
INTRODUCTION TO
RENEWABLE ENERGY
1.1 Renewable Energy (RE)
Society’s current use of fossil and nuclear fuels has many adverse
consequences; such as air pollution, acid rain, the depletion of natural resources
and the dangers of nuclear radiation.
These threat of global climate change caused by carbon dioxide emissions from
fossil fuel combustion is one of the main reasons why there is a need to switch
to low or zero-carbon energy sources such as renewables.
1.1.1 Define RE
RE can be defined as energy obtained from the continuous or repetitive currents of
energy recurring in natural environment (Twidell and Weir, 1986).
RE also can be defined as energy flows which are replenished at the same rate as they
use (Sorensen, 2000)
Renewable energy and non-renewable energy
1.1.2 Sources of RE
Solar energy – Solar radiation can be converted into useful energy; whether
1) Photovoltaic cells, which convert sunlight into electricity
2) Solar thermal technology, where heat from the sun is used to make hot water or steam.
Wind energy – Wind energy (or wind power) refers to the process of creating electricity
using the wind, or air flows that occur naturally in the earth's atmosphere. Modern wind
turbines are used to capture kinetic energy from the wind and generate electricity.
Hydroelectric – Hydroelectric energy, also called hydroelectric power or hydroelectricity,
is a form of energy that harnesses the power of water in motion such as water flowing over
a waterfall to generate electricity.
Fuel Cell – Hydrogen and oxygen been blend in electrochemical reaction to create
electricity
Bioenergy – Bioenergy is a renewable source of energy that is produced from
plants and animals. Some forms of bioenergy have been around for a long time.
Examples include burning wood to create heat, using biodiesel and ethanol to fuel
vehicles, and using methane gas and wood to generate electricity.
Tidal Energy – Tidal energy is produced through the use of tidal energy generators.
These large underwater turbines are placed in areas with high tidal movements, and
are designed to capture the kinetic motion of the ebbing and surging of ocean tides
in order to produce electricity.
Wave energy – Wave power is produced by the up and down motion of floating
devices placed on the surface of the ocean. In other words, wind produces waves,
and then waves produce energy. As the waves travel across the ocean, high-tech
devices capture the natural movements of ocean currents and the flow of swells to
generate power.
Geothermal Energy – The heat from within the earth is used to produce
steam for electricity generation
Nuclear energy – Use nuclear reaction to create heat which then been
in steam turbines to generate electricity
1.1.3 RE in sustainable future
RE sources already providing significant proportion of the world’s primary energy
: 25%
1.1.3 RE in sustainable future
In the future, the backbone of the electricity will still be a market-based grid. But, some of
those large power stations will be offshore wave and tidal plants and wind farms.
There will be much more local generation, in part from medium to small local/community
power plant, fuelled by locally grown biomass, from locally generated waste or from
locally wind sources. These will feed local distributed networks, which can sell excess
capacity into the grid
There will be much more micro-generation for example from CHP (Combine Heat &
Power) plant, fuel cell in the building, and photovoltaics. This will also generate excess
capacity which will also sold back into local distributed network.
1.1.3 RE in sustainable future
New homes will be designed to need very little energy and perhaps will achieve zero
carbon emissions. The existing building stock will increasingly adopt energy efficiency
measures. Many buildings will have the capacity at least to reduce their demand on the
grid; for example by using solar heating systems to provide some of the water heating
needs.
1.2 Global Energy Trend
1.2 Global Energy Trend
1.2.1 Global energy reserves
1.2.2 Global energy consumption
1.2.2 Global energy consumption
1.2.3 Global energy production
Global electrical energy generation in 2018 (IEA)
According to a recent report from the International Energy Agency, for the
first time, natural gas overtook coal to become the leading source of
electricity in the OECD in 2018, accounting for 27.4% of the mix compared to
25.4% for coal. Meanwhile, the combined contribution of all renewable
sources was also responsible for 27.4% of electricity generation, led by hydro
(13.8%), then wind (7.0%) and solar (3.0%).
1.2.4 Traditional & RE in sustainable future
According to the Renewables Global Status Report (GSR) from REN21, roughly
a fifth of the world’s electrical power production now comes from renewable
sources. To be more precise, in 2013 renewable energy accounted for 22% of
the global energy mix, up from 21% in 2012 and 18% in 2007.
In 2018, renewable energy generation is 24.6%
1.2.4 Traditional & RE in sustainable future
A report by Frankfurt School UNEP Centre and Bloomberg New Energy Finance
says carbon-free renewable power plants in 2014 surpassed 100,000 megawatts of
capacity for the first time. A year before, in 2013, it seems like interest in renewable
energy surpassed conventional energy sources for the first time as 143 gigawatts of
renewable electricity capacity were added, compared with 141 gigawatts in new plants
that burn fossil fuels.
1.2.4 Traditional & RE in sustainable future
Some areas and countries are transitioning faster than others, depending on their
available resources and political climate. Costa Rica functioned on 99% renewable power
for 2015, Germany is 35% powered by renewables, while Denmark on a good day
produces 140% of its energy needs from wind.
By 2030, doubling the renewable energy capacity installed today is really feasible.
Helped by market incentives which have made solar energy very cheap, many will
choose to transition simply because it makes economic sense and creating a new
economy which serves millions of jobs.
1.2.4 Traditional & RE in sustainable future
Fossil fuels are subsidized $14.5 billion a day. Imagine if all that money went to
subsidizing solar, which is cheaper than fossil fuels even un-subsidized in many places
already. If fossil fuels lost their subsidies, renewable energy progress would be fantastic
1.2.5 International climate policy framework
Green house gases (carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane) in natural state allow
appropriate amount of solar energy to go into space and proper amount remain in earth
to help optimal temperature for living organisms to live.
Unfortunately, humans emitted too much greenhouse gases (especially carbon dioxide),
the earth’s temperature is increasing as excessive amount of heat is trapped inside the
earth’s atmosphere.
1.2.5 International climate policy framework
1.2.5 International climate policy framework
1.2.5 International climate policy framework
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an
international environmental treaty adopted on 9 May 1992 and opened for signature at
the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 14 June 1992. It then entered into force on
21 March 1994, after a sufficient number of countries had ratified it.
The UNFCCC objective is to "stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the
atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference
with the climate system".
1.2.5 International climate policy framework
Parties to the Convention
continue to meet regularly to
discuss on the progress in
implementing their obligations
under the treaty, and to
consider further actions to
address the climate change
threat. They have also
negotiated a protocol to the
Convention
1.2.5 International climate policy framework
The Kyoto Protocol was first agreed in December 1997 in Kyoto, Japan, although
ongoing discussions were needed between 1998 and 2004 to finalize the “fine print” of
the agreement.
The Protocol contains 2 Annexes :
Annex I : Countries with obligations to take measures to mitigate the effect of
climate change ~ to cut their emissions of greenhouse gases by an average of
about 5% for the period 2008-2012 for 1990 levels.
Annex 2 : Countries with obligations to provide financing to developing countries
for their obligations under UNFCC
1.2.5 International climate policy framework
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is an intergovernmental body of the
United Nations, dedicated to providing the world with an objective, scientific view of climate change,
its natural, political and economic impacts and risks, and possible response options.
The IPCC produces reports that contribute to the work of the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the main international treaty on climate change. The IPCC's Fifth
Assessment Report was a critical scientific input into the UNFCCC's Paris Agreement in 2015.
1.2.5 International climate policy framework
IPCC reports cover the "scientific, technical and socio-
economic information relevant to understanding the
scientific basis of risk of human-induced climate change,
its potential impacts and options for adaptation and
mitigation."
1.3 Malaysia Energy Scenario
1.3 Malaysia Energy Scenario
1.3 Malaysia Energy Scenario
1.3 Malaysia Energy Scenario
1.3 Malaysia Energy Scenario
Lokasi Stesen Janakuasa di
Semenanjung Malaysia
1.3.1 Malaysia energy outlook
1.3.1 Malaysia energy outlook
1.3.2 National RE Policy & Action Plan
1.3.2 National RE Policy & Action Plan
1.3.2 National RE Policy & Action Plan
1.3.2 National RE Policy & Action Plan
1.3.3 National RE Act
1.3.4 Malaysian Feed-in Tariff (FiT)
1.3.4 Malaysian Feed-in Tariff (FiT)
1.3.4 Malaysian Feed-in Tariff (FiT)
1.3.4 Malaysian Feed-in Tariff (FiT)
Net Energy Metering (NEM)
The Ministry has introduced few solar PV initiatives to encourage Malaysia’s Renewable
Energy (RE) uptake. From the RE town hall held on 12th July 2018.
One of the key issues highlighted by the PV industry is the need to change the concept of
NEM from the existing net billing to true net energy metering. This is will help improve the
return of investment of solar PV under the NEM.
Effective on 1st January 2019, the Net Energy Metering (NEM) will be improved by adopting
the true net energy metering concept and this will allow excess solar PV generated energy to
be exported back to the grid on a “one-on-one” offset basis.
This means that every 1kWh exported to the grid will be offset against 1kWh consumed from
the grid, instead of at the Displaced Cost previously.
The concept of NEM is that the energy produced from the installed solar PV system will be
consumed first, and any excess will be exported to TNB on a “one-on-one” offset basis
References
Godfrey Boyle (2004), Renewable Energy : Power for a
Sustainable Future, Oxford University Press in association with
the Open University, Milton Keynes
Wei Nee Chen (2012), Renewable Energy Status in Malaysia,
Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia
TUTORIAL
1. What is objective of National Renewable Energy Policy and Action
Plan?
2. What are the six types of renewable energy?
3. What are the four main types of non-renewable energy?
4. Describe about Renewable Energy and name TWO (2) types of
Renewable Energy that available?
5. Feed in tariff (FITS) and Net Energy Metering (NEM), are both methods designed to
accelerate investments in renewable energy technologies. Compare the
differences between these two technologies.
6. With aid of a diagram, sketch a complete Off-Grid Solar System Components and
write all its basic functions.
