Locally Available Energy Sources and Sustainability

• Other Authors: Colmenar Santos, Antonio (Editor), Borge Diez, David (Editor), Rosales Asensio, Enrique (Editor)
• Format: Electronic Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland MDPI - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute 2020
• Subjects: History of engineering & technology; community energy; energy storage; time of use tariff; home battery; demand response; renewable energy; business model; global meta-frontier non-radial direction distance function; energy efficiency; CO2 emission performance; benchmark; potential CO2 emission and energy reduction; solar home systems (SHS); levelized cost of energy (LCOE); photovoltaic system; HOMER; rice straw ash; ash-forming elements; solubility; sustainable development of both agriculture and biomass energy; recycling property; ashing temperature; municipalities; public policies; rural development; wind farms; civic energy communities; local energy initiatives; grassroots innovation; energy transition; social practice theory; energy practices; hazardous waste; contaminated soil; potential toxic elements; removal; mine waste; biomass power generation; positive externalities; support policy; apple branches; Jingning; LCA; LCC; photovoltaic; onshore wind; prosumers; renewable energy sources; Mediterranean wineries; constraints and enablers; social-ecological system; resilience
• Online Access: DOAB: download the publication; DOAB: description of the publication

Renewable energy is electricity generated by fuel sources that restore themselves over a short period of time and do not diminish. Although some renewable energy technologies impact the environment, renewables are considered environmentally preferable to conventional sources and, when replacing fossil fuels, have significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This book focuses on the environmental and economic benefits of using renewable energy, which include: (i) generating energy that produces no greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels and reduces some types of air pollution, (ii) diversifying energy supply and reducing dependence on imported fuels, and (iii) creating economic development and jobs in manufacturing, installation, and more. Local governments can dramatically reduce their carbon footprint by purchasing or directly generating electricity from clean and renewable sources. The most common renewable power technologies include: solar (photovoltaic (PV), solar thermal), wind, biogas (e.g., landfill gas, wastewater treatment digester gas), geothermal, biomass, low-impact hydroelectricity, and emerging technologies such as wave and tidal power. Local governments can lead by example by generating energy on site, purchasing green power, or purchasing renewable energy. Using a combination of renewable energy options can help to meet local government goals, especially in some regions where availability and quality of renewable resources vary. Options for using renewable energy include: generating renewable energy on site, using a system or device at the location where the power is used (e.g., PV panels on a state building, geothermal heat pumps, biomass-fueled combined heat and power), and purchasing renewable energy from an electric utility through a green pricing or green marketing program, where buyers pay a small premium in exchange for electricity generated locally from green power resources.