Renewable Energy Sources
Renewable Energy Sources
REPORT
RAMY EMAD IBRAHIM EL KORDY 19P1292
Contents
1. Wind Energy .......................................................................................................................... 3
Kinetic Facades:
These building facades use wind to generate power or manipulate ventilation. They can take
many forms, such as panels that flutter in the wind or louvers that adjust to control airflow.
• Benefits: Provides ventilation and power generation, can improve building energy
efficiency, creates a dynamic and responsive building envelope.
• Challenges: May require complex engineering to ensure structural integrity and
functionality, might not be visually appealing in all designs.
Examples
o Capacity: 620 MW
o Year of Installation: 2019
o Applicability in Egypt: Offshore wind farms like Horns Rev 3 can be beneficial for Egypt,
especially in areas with strong coastal winds and limited space onshore.
o Additional Fact: Located in the North Sea, Horns Rev 3 is a world leader in offshore wind
technology. The wind farm utilizes giant turbines with blades that span the length of a football
field, maximizing wind energy capture.
• Capacity: 1,547 MW
• Year of Installation: 2015 (ongoing project)
• Applicability in Egypt: Large-scale onshore wind farms like Alta are applicable in
Egypt's vast desert areas.
• Additional Fact: Nestled in the Tejon Pass of California, the Alta Wind Energy Center is
one of the largest onshore wind farms in the world. The project harnesses the strong and
consistent winds blowing through the mountain pass to generate clean electricity.
3. Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm, England, UK
• Capacity: 659 MW (world's largest offshore wind farm by capacity at the time of
construction)
• Year of Installation: 2018
• Applicability in Egypt: Offshore wind farms are a promising option for Egypt due to the
strong winds in the Gulf of Suez and Red Sea regions.
• Additional Fact: Situated in the Irish Sea, the Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm
utilizes innovative technologies to maximize energy production and minimize
environmental impact. The wind farm features special coatings on the turbine blades that
make them less slippery, allowing for better adhesion of barnacles and mussels.
Egypt has excellent potential for wind energy development. Here's why:
Strong and consistent winds: The Red Sea and Gulf of Suez regions experience strong and
consistent winds, ideal for wind turbine operation.
Vast land area: Egypt's vast desert areas provide ample space for large-scale onshore wind
farms.
Government support: The Egyptian government has set ambitious renewable energy targets,
including a significant increase in wind energy capacity.
The successful implementation of the aforementioned wind power plants around the world
demonstrates the viability of wind energy in various geographical locations. Considering Egypt's
wind resource and government initiatives, wind energy technology is indeed applicable and can
significantly contribute to the country's energy mix.
2. PV Systems
Adverse environmental impacts of PV systems
Solar energy shines with benefits: it fights climate change by producing clean electricity and
saves water compared to traditional plants. Panels can even be placed on rooftops, minimizing
land use impact. However, large solar farms can disrupt wildlife habitats, and manufacturing the
panels can be resource-intensive. Additionally, disposing of old panels creates e-waste.
Responsible practices like careful planning and improved recycling are needed for a truly
sustainable solar future.
Benefit Description
Generates electricity with minimal greenhouse gas emissions,
Clean Energy combating climate change.
Reduced Reliance on Fossil
Fuels Promotes energy independence and potentially lower electricity bills.
Low Maintenance Requires minimal ongoing maintenance after installation.
Can be installed on rooftops, integrated into buildings, or used
Versatility portably.
Long Lifespan Typically lasts 25-30 years.
Financial incentives may be available from governments or local
Potential Incentives authorities.
Cost Description
Significant initial cost for purchasing and installing the system (although costs
Upfront Investment are decreasing).
Larger systems generate more electricity but require a higher upfront
System Size investment.
Sunlight Availability Locations with limited sunshine will generate less electricity.
Potential Roof
Impact May require roof modifications and potentially additional roof repair costs.
End-of-Life
Disposal Requires proper recycling (improper disposal creates environmental hazards).
• Clean Power Generation: During operation, solar panels are emissions champions.
They produce electricity without polluting the air with greenhouse gases, nitrogen oxides,
or sulfur oxides, significantly reducing air pollution and climate change impact.
• Renewable Resource: Solar energy is a gift that keeps on giving! Unlike finite fossil
fuels, the sun's energy is a virtually limitless, constantly replenished resource. Solar
panels simply tap into this abundant source.
• Water Conservation Champions: Compared to traditional power plants that guzzle
water for cooling, PV systems are water misers. This is a major benefit in areas
struggling with water scarcity.
• Recycling Potential: Many solar panel components, like glass, aluminum frames, and
silicon, have recycling potential at the end of their lifespan, reducing waste.
Environmental Considerations:
• Manufacturing Footprint: There's no free lunch. Manufacturing solar panels can have
some environmental impact. Extracting raw materials and using certain chemicals can
contribute to pollution. The good news? Advancements are being made to minimize this
impact and increase material recycling.
• Energy Payback Time: Before a PV system becomes a net positive for the
environment, it needs to generate enough clean energy to offset the energy used in its
manufacturing and installation. This "energy payback time" varies depending on location
and system size, but typically falls within 2-4 years.
• Land Use Impact: Large-scale solar farms can occupy significant areas, potentially
disrupting ecosystems and wildlife habitats. However, careful planning and responsible
siting can minimize these effects.
The Verdict.
Solar PV systems are a significant step towards a cleaner future. While there are environmental
considerations during manufacturing and land use for large-scale farms, the long-term benefits
outweigh the drawbacks. Continued advancements in manufacturing processes, recycling, and
responsible siting practices will further solidify solar power as a leading green energy source.
• Co-location: Solar and wind farms can be co-located on the same land parcel,
maximizing land use efficiency and overall energy production.
• Multi-Use Potential: Land used for solar farms can coexist with other activities such as
sheep grazing or growing certain crops, optimizing land use and potential economic
benefits.
By carefully considering these factors, developers can optimize land use for solar and wind
energy projects, minimizing environmental impact while maximizing clean energy production.
• Cadmium: Cadmium, used in CdTe cells, is classified as "extremely toxic" and can
damage vital organs like kidneys, bones, and lungs with prolonged exposure. Workers in
CdTe factories face a risk of inhaling cadmium dust if proper safety measures aren't in
place. Improper disposal of cadmium waste can contaminate soil and water, jeopardizing
the health of surrounding communities.
• Selenium: Similar concerns surround selenium, another element used in thin-film solar
cells. Selenium dioxide, a byproduct of its processing, shares the toxic properties of
arsenic and can lead to respiratory problems if inhaled.
Environmental Shadows of Manufacturing:
• Hazardous Material: The manufacturing process often involves hazardous materials
like strong acids, solvents, and flammable gases. Accidents involving these substances
can pollute air and water, harming ecosystems and potentially impacting human health if
proper handling protocols are not followed.
• Water: Solar cell production can be water-intensive, especially for cleaning and etching
silicon wafers. This raises concerns about water scarcity in regions with limited
resources and potential contamination if wastewater isn't treated properly.
• Energy Consumption: While solar panels generate clean energy, the manufacturing
process itself can be energy-intensive. This can partially negate the environmental
benefits if the energy source used in production is not renewable.
• Capacity: 850 MW
• Year of Installation: 2013-2015 (phased)
• Applicability in Egypt: Egypt's abundant sunshine makes solar energy a viable option.
Solar power can reduce reliance on imported fuels, potentially lower electricity costs,
and create jobs. Challenges include upfront costs and land use, but government
incentives and falling solar technology costs can help make solar a viable option for
Egypt's clean energy future.
• Additional Fact: One of the world's largest solar parks upon completion (may not hold
this title today).
3. The Dau Tieng Solar Park:
• Location: Phuoc Hoa District, Binh Duong Province, Vietnam
• Capacity: 550 megawatts (MW)
• Year of Installation: 2019 (project completion)
• Applicability in Egypt: While located in Vietnam, the success of Dau Tieng holds
valuable lessons for Egypt. Both countries share a sunny climate, making large-scale
solar PV projects highly applicable in Egypt.
• Additional Info: Developed by a consortium of Vietnamese and international
companies, Dau Tieng reflects Vietnam's focus on attracting foreign investment in
renewable energy projects. The park not only generates clean electricity but also
contributes to energy security, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and fosters economic
development in the region through job creation.
Fuel cell technology offers a promising path towards a cleaner future for electricity generation.
However, addressing the environmental considerations associated with fuel sources, water
usage, manufacturing, and waste management is critical for maximizing its sustainability
potential. By prioritizing renewable hydrogen production, exploring cleaner fuel options, and
implementing sustainable practices throughout the entire life cycle, fuel cells can truly become a
champion for a clean and sustainable energy future.
Examples:
1. Bloom Box 500 Fuel Cell Power System - California, USA
• ICAT-Renewable-Energy-Methdology-June-2019.pdf (climateactiontransparency.org)
• A comprehensive estimate of life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from onshore wind
energy in China - ScienceDirect
• https://www.energy.gov/wind
• https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/advantages-and-challenges-wind-energy
• https://www.audubon.org/news/wind-power-and-birds
• https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy00osti/28620.pdf
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032113006291
• https://www.energy.gov/solar
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/interactive/2023/renewable-
energy-land-use-wind-solar/
• https://publications.iarc.fr/Book-And-Report-Series/Iarc-Monographs-On-The-
Identification-Of-Carcinogenic-Hazards-To-Humans/Beryllium-Cadmium-Mercury-And-
Exposures-In-The-Glass-Manufacturing-Industry-1993
• https://www.solar.com/learn/apples-new-campus-country-largest-solar-commercial-
project/
• www.treehugger.com
• https://orsted.com/
• https://www.gem.wiki/Alta_Wind_Energy_Center
• https://ewec.ae/en/home
• https://picturing.climatecentral.org/location/31.2363673,121.5018844
• https://www.bloomenergy.com/
• https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202301/02/WS63b2c6c1a31057c47eba7438.html
• https://panasonic.net/electricworks/about/global-network/