Question

Discuss any two renewable energy sources that would help meet the energy crisis.

Answer 1

1. Solar Energy: Solar energy is the term used to describe the energy that comes from the sun. Solar energy is the most promising of all energy sources. India receives roughly 6000 billion MW of solar energy per year. If only 1% of this energy could be harnessed with even 10% efficiency, it would be 30-35 times India's current electricity generation. Solar energy is naturally occurring, clean, pollution-free, and renewable. It can be utilized directly in solar water heaters, cookers, and furnaces or transformed into electricity using photovoltaic solar cells. The disadvantage is that solar energy is not available at night and requires a big area for collecting.
2. Wind Energy: Wind energy is the energy obtained from air in motion. It can be used to produce mechanical power for pumping water, grinding grains, and propelling sailboats. A ‘wind farm’ is a huge region covered with windmills. India's wind power potential is predicted to be 20,000 MW, with approximately 100 sites suitable for wind farm development. Wind energy is abundant, inexpensive, and devoid of pollutants. It can be delivered to remote locations where other energy sources are unavailable. The disadvantage is that wind turbines emit noise pollution, and generation is dependent on wind direction and velocity.