The Benefits of Renewable Energy

What are the benefits of renewable energy?

Fossil fuels produce huge amounts of atmospheric pollution such as CO (carbon monoxide) that causes headaches, stress and is lethal in higher doses; SO2 (sulphur dioxide) that builds up and can produce acid rain such as seen in Europe and the US; NOx (nitrogen oxides) that can cause bronchitis and decrease resistance to infections, they are also deposited back onto land contributing to excessive nitrogen build up in water producing algal blooms; and hydrocarbons that form smog. The burning of fossil fuels produces particulate pollution such as dust, soot, smoke and others that irritate the lungs, are carcinogenic and are the cause of premature death of millions worldwide.

• A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

Large amounts of greenhouse gases building up in the atmosphere are causing unprecedentedly rapid changes in Earth’s climate. These gases, whilst not necessarily pollutants, accumulate in the atmosphere, they include CO2 (carbon dioxide), Nitrous Oxide and Methane (CH4). Increasing the use of renewables will help mitigate the effects of climate change in the long term.

• Reduction in externality costs.

These are the unaccounted costs that are bourne by society but not paid for directly by users and producers of fossil fuels. These include the enormous health costs from fossil fuel consumption and the huge environmental costs associated with both the production and consumption of fossil fuels. The environmental costs are both monetary and loss within ecosystems.

• Renewables save money: they have nearly $0 marginal costs

The unit cost of producing renewable energy is nearly $0 once a renewable system has been installed. That is there is no extra cost to the consumer whether one unit of electricity is produced, or 10!

• Reduction in wholesale electricity costs.

There is evidence now that shows the electricity in our national grid is cheaper when a high amount of renewable energy is introduced. This can be in the form of large number of rooftop solar panels producing electricity or from the large wind farms in South Australia and Victoria.

• Reduced supply chain and infrastructure costs

Transport of fossil fuels puts a strain on our roads and infrastructure. This costs both the consumer and ultimately all taxpayers who pay for upgrades and maintenance of roads and other infrastructure such as railways, ports and fuel storage facilities.

• Increased energy security

Relying on imported fuel puts our energy security at risk from fluctuations in international markets and international geo-politics.

• Supply benefits

There is a reduction in line loss from renewable systems that are located close to their point of consumption. Power loss over the long distances of transmission lines and within distribution systems is significant, depending on the length of the wires, it is around 5-10% of the electricity produced.

• Increased flexibility from distributed systems

A distributed energy system is one that has multiple (usually smaller) points of energy input, such as source from rooftop solar or wind turbines. A distributed system that sources from points across a large grid (such as on the Australian East Coast), overcomes many intermittency issues such as at night when the sun does not shine, or when the wind drops.

Solar Batteries