For a very long time, fossil fuels, natural gas and petroleum have been the major sources of energy. However, there was a problem when it came to remote areas such as small rural businesses, farms, caravan parks etc. It wasn’t easy for them to access reliable sources of energy and this affected their daily activities.
The other problem was the damage caused by those harmful gases when released into the atmosphere. To help clean the environment and reduce pollution in the future, several ideas were put to place. To have a clear understanding of alternative sources of energy in remote areas, here are some examples.
Solar power
Solar power is basically the use of the sun’s light as a form of energy. This is achieved by converting the sun’s light into electricity using a solar cell. Solar power is among the best sources of energy the earth receives. If this energy can be harnessed and stored cost-effectively, it can probably be the best source of energy to use in a remote area.
This form of energy comes in handy especially in farms because it is renewable and no-polluting. You won’t have to worry about it being a hazard to your farm products or animals. It is also economical because the sun’s energy is harnessed using photovoltaic (PV) cells and converting PV is to electricity is direct. Thus, the cost of a generator is cut off.
Wind power
Wind power as a source of energy has been there for many years. It is the power of wind which our ancestors used to pump water, saw wood, use in windmills to grind grain and send ships across the oceans. The same wind is used in wind power generation.
Wind power is one of the cleanest sources of energy. No chemicals needed in the process. Plus, there are no by-products produced in the process which may cause air or water pollution. The most impressive feature of domestic wind turbines is that it is a renewable source of energy. Besides, it is available in any part of the world including the remotest places. This feature makes it very useful in remote locations where it is impossible to connect wires to a power plant that is very far.
There was a concern about the danger the wind turbines cause on the birds flying on that area but this has been resolved with the emergence of new technology. The newer makes are made up of larger blades which rotate a bit slower. This gives the birds enough time to avoid getting caught in those blades. In general, the pros of wind power outweigh the cons.
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the generation of electricity through water power. Just like the wind, water has been used to produce power for a very long time. For instance, water wheels have been used to capture water energy to grind grains. Later, the same machines were used in crop irrigation, powering textile mills, pumping water and driving sawmills.
In the current world, the power of water is mostly captured in the hydroelectric power plants. To achieve this, you will need to build a dam on a river to hold the water back. The water will only be allowed to run through when the gates open. The water will run through the pipeline known as penstock and reach the turbine. When the running water reaches to the turbine, the turbine’s blades will spin to produce electricity.
Just like the other renewable sources of energy, hydroelectric power is clean and non-pollutant. While this form of energy is reliable, the cost involved to build a power plant is quite high. Also, dams have to be built in a river and this may bring trouble to the ecosystem is that particular area.
Advantages of renewable energy in remote areas
The good thing about renewable energy is that they come from reliable sources. More so, they don’t pollute the environment. To learn more, below are additional benefits of renewable energy sources.
1. Safety
Renewable energy such as wind power and solar power are very safe to use. You cannot compare them with the dangers involved with electricity and other high-power forms of energy. In other words, the process used to collect renewable energy power is safer than non-renewables. For examples, you won’t have to worry about the dangers of nuclear meltdown or contamination from a coal-fired plant when dealing with solar or wind energy.
2. Abundance
The planet earth receives enough sunlight every day which can be harvested with solar panels and meet your energy needs the whole year. Each day the sun shines brings up enough energy to use for a year. The only problem is the resources to collect the energy at the moment. The wind, which is created by the sun’s warmth is also available in abundance. Hence, the need to utilize the energy planet earth has provided.
3. Multiple formats
Another advantage of renewable sources of energy is that they are offered in multiple formats. With renewable energy, energy diversity is an achieved dream. As new technologies such as road-based solar panels continue to emerge, the level of diversity on renewables will be much greater than the non-renewables. This shows better growth for renewable sources.
4. Energy independence
In the current world, a country which relies on renewable sources of power is more independent and stable. This form of energy can be used just like any other form of non-renewable energy. Meaning, the lives of people who were initially using non-reliable power will not be negatively affected now that they have shifted to the renewable source. In fact, the transition is beneficial to the country and its citizens. They will lessen the importation of fuel but still meet their power demands.
5. Easy maintenance
The highest cost incurred on renewable energy sources is the installation cost. The maintenance cost is relatively low and it can take years before they have a serious maintenance issue. Moreover, it is pretty easy to see a net profit when you have a private renewable installation in your home or small business premises.
