An Overview of the Adverse Effects of Renewable Energy Sources (original) (raw)

Growing human population requires an increase in energy production that will satisfy the daily needs and demands. Conventional energy sources are finite, and as such they are exhaustible which implies that, man requires an alternative sources of energy that are inexhaustible and clean. Renewable or alternative energy source is a term used for any energy source that is an alternative to fossil fuel i.e. electricity or heat generated from solar, hydro, wind, geothermal, biomass or biogas energy. These energy sources are considered to be clean. Despite the fact that renewable energy sources are assumed to be clean, they pose a significant risk to the environment and well-being of the populace. Pending on the source and the technique use for harnessing, these energies may affect the environment at different stage of their life cycle. The effects ranges from exploitation and processing of the raw materials, to the construction of the plant, to its operation and finally to demolishing when the need arise. In addition, the energy input and output is also an interesting matter to be considered when dealing with renewable energy. Other issues of land clearing, biodiversity and habitat loss, emission of some greenhouse gases in terms of hydro power and biomass, use of toxic chemicals in construction of photovoltaic panels, the amount of energy consumed during the construction and west generated need to be considered as well. This paper aimed to review and highlight the adverse effects associated with harnessing and processing of renewable energy sources. I. INTRODUCTION Energy is a key factor in determining the economic development of any country. Almost all human activities require an unlimited supply of energy for efficiently and effectively carrying out daily processes. Nowadays, the technologies in the world are becoming digital and automated. Artificial Intelligence is taking over the modern industrial and domestic activities, as it provides vast array of activities in a short period of time. Agricultural, industrial, social, economic, health and all other activities requires energy in different forms. These energy requirements force man to exploit many resources in the search of energy that will provide for basic needs and miscellaneous. Conventional methods through which energy is generated or major source of energy is fossil fuel. Several environmental problems are related to the use and burning of fossil fuel for energy. Studies have shown that fossil fuel consumption in almost all human activities has led to many undesirable phenomena like climate change and global warming [1]. Conventional energy sources are finite, and as such, there is need for alternative energy source that not only pose less risk to the environment but also long lasting. Vezmar et al., [2] reported that, unlike conventional energy sources which require millions of years for formation, renewable energy sources cannot be exhausted as they are constantly been supplied by nature. Renewable energy source accounts for only 14% of the total world of energy [3]. These sources of energy are clean and inexhaustible [4]. Climate change is one of the major problems related to conventional energy sources. The increasing concentration of greenhouse gasses, such as methane, carbon dioxide, CFC, halogens, Nitrogen Oxide, Ozone and Peroxy acetylnitrate (PAN) in the atmosphere as a result of burning fossil fuel is acting to trap heat radiation/infrared radiation from earth surface, which result in rising the Earth temperature [3]. The alternative renewable energy sources are assume to reduce the effects of greenhouse gases and climate change. Despite the fact that renewable energy sources termed as clean and inexhaustible, they may pose a significant effect to the environment in one way or another. Pending on the source, these energies may affect the environment adversely as well. This review focused on the adverse effects of renewable energy sources. II. SOLAR ENERGY Sun is the ultimate source of energy for the whole universe. It emits energy at a rate of 3.86 x 10 26 Watts at any moment, of which approximately 1.74 × 10 17 Watts is intercepted by the Earth [5]. There is vast scope employed to utilize available solar energy for thermal applications such as cooking, water heating, crop drying, and electricity generation through thermal solar plant or photovoltaic effect. It also provides energy for producers (green plant) to conduct primary production.