What are the main environmental risks of developing renewable energy sources such as wind and solar?

Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are often seen as clean and green alternatives to fossil fuels, but they also come with some environmental risks. In this article, you will learn about the main challenges and trade-offs of developing and using renewable energy, and how environmental engineering can help mitigate them.

1 Land use and habitat loss

One of the main environmental risks of renewable energy is the impact on land use and habitat loss. Wind and solar farms require large areas of land to generate enough electricity, which can displace wildlife, reduce biodiversity, and affect ecosystem services. For example, wind turbines can cause bird and bat mortality, while solar panels can affect soil quality and water availability. Environmental engineering can help reduce this risk by designing and locating renewable energy projects in ways that minimize land use and habitat loss, such as using existing infrastructure, avoiding sensitive areas, and restoring degraded lands.

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2 Resource extraction and waste management

Another environmental risk of renewable energy is the resource extraction and waste management associated with the production and disposal of renewable energy equipment. Wind and solar technologies rely on materials such as metals, minerals, and rare earth elements, which have to be mined, processed, and transported, causing environmental pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and social conflicts. Moreover, renewable energy equipment has a limited lifespan and generates waste that needs to be managed properly, especially if it contains hazardous substances. Environmental engineering can help reduce this risk by developing and applying methods to improve the efficiency, recyclability, and sustainability of renewable energy materials and equipment, such as using renewable or recycled materials, reducing waste generation, and ensuring safe disposal.

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3 Intermittency and grid integration

A third environmental risk of renewable energy is the intermittency and grid integration of renewable energy sources. Wind and solar power are variable and depend on weather conditions, which can create challenges for balancing supply and demand, maintaining grid stability, and avoiding power outages. To overcome this risk, renewable energy sources need to be integrated with other sources of energy, such as fossil fuels, hydropower, or nuclear power, which can have their own environmental impacts. Alternatively, renewable energy sources can be coupled with energy storage systems, such as batteries, pumped hydro, or hydrogen, which can store excess energy and release it when needed. Environmental engineering can help reduce this risk by designing and optimizing renewable energy systems and grid operations, such as using smart grids, microgrids, or hybrid systems, to enhance flexibility, reliability, and efficiency.

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4 Social and economic impacts

A fourth environmental risk of renewable energy is the social and economic impacts of renewable energy development and use. Renewable energy can create opportunities for job creation, income generation, and rural development, but it can also create conflicts, inequalities, and injustices, especially for marginalized or vulnerable groups. For example, renewable energy projects can affect the rights, interests, and livelihoods of local communities, indigenous peoples, or women, who may not benefit from or participate in the decision-making processes. Moreover, renewable energy can affect the affordability and accessibility of energy services, which can have implications for energy poverty and social welfare. Environmental engineering can help reduce this risk by incorporating social and economic aspects into the planning, implementation, and evaluation of renewable energy projects, such as using participatory approaches, stakeholder engagement, social impact assessment, and benefit-sharing mechanisms.

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Edward S. Butler, P.E.

Teaching & Consultation
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We need do our best to address the needs of our civilization but need focus more on eliminating waste in more places than are addressed. We waste too much money on salaries and benefits of too large a piece of population that believes they are worth so much more than other people. Politicians, lawyers, movie producers, actors, sports figures (especially wrestlers and boxers), ….. I could go on and on but point is that our leaders, we’ll trained professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs,……. Deserve a good salary but not so many times as much as a tradesman or even routine worker. Too much money is wasted on making more money rather than taking the best care of the resources and lives that God has blessed us with.

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5 Climate change adaptation and mitigation

A fifth environmental risk of renewable energy is the climate change adaptation and mitigation of renewable energy sources. Renewable energy can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, but it can also be affected by climate change itself. For example, climate change can alter the availability and variability of wind and solar resources, affect the performance and durability of renewable energy equipment, and increase the exposure and vulnerability of renewable energy infrastructure to extreme weather events. Environmental engineering can help reduce this risk by assessing and enhancing the resilience and adaptation of renewable energy systems to climate change, such as using climate models, risk analysis, adaptive management, and low-carbon technologies.

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Tatenda Hanyani (MIEnvSc, UK)

ESG, Climate Change & Renewable Energy
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We often focus more on how our activities impact climate change but how it affects our projects is also critical. Important questions always come up when we do renewable energy projects. How is climate change going to affect wind resources in the future? Climate adaptation and mitigation is complete when we are deliberate about how we affect global warming and how we strengthen the project against climate risks.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Bob Siemak, P.E.

Founder and Principal Consultant at RCS Consulting Group
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Considerations (although not purely environmental) include: 1. Political will 2. NIMBY phenomenon 3. Aesthetics 4. Environmental NGO opposition

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Gayan Jayawardana

MBA Master of Applied Management Southern Institute of Technology, New Zealand
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I am 100% with renewable energy. I strongly believe that we have more than enough damage to our only living space (Earth) by the use of fossil-based fuels. From my point of view, due to renewable energy hydro plants, wind & solar farms harm to the mentioned sectors of society and environment is way lesser than other energy methods.

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What are the main environmental risks of developing renewable energy sources such as wind and solar?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Land use and habitat loss

2 Resource extraction and waste management

3 Intermittency and grid integration

4 Social and economic impacts

5 Climate change adaptation and mitigation

6 Here’s what else to consider

Environmental Engineering

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What are the main environmental risks of developing renewable energy sources such as wind and solar?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Land use and habitat loss

2 Resource extraction and waste management

3 Intermittency and grid integration

4 Social and economic impacts

5 Climate change adaptation and mitigation

6 Here’s what else to consider

Environmental Engineering

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