New and Emerging Energy Technologies

15 May New and Emerging Energy Technologies

New and Emerging Energy Technologies

This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “New and Emerging Energy Technologies”. The topic “New and Emerging Energy Technologies” has relevance in the Environment section for the UPSC CSE exam.

Relevance of the topic “New and Emerging Energy Technologies”

For Prelims:
What are New and Emerging Energy Technologies?
For Mains:
GS 2:Governance
What is the significance of New and Emerging Energy Technologies?
Way Forward

Why in the news?

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is set to host an influential event tomorrow, the 15th of May 2023, in conjunction with the 3rd Energy Transition Working Group (ETWG) meeting. The event, titled ‘Low-Cost Finance for New and Emerging Energy Technologies,’ aims to foster discussions and collaboration among stakeholders in the renewable energy sector.

What are New and Emerging Energy Technologies?

New and emerging energy technologies refer to innovative and advanced methods of generating, storing, and utilizing energy that is still in the early stages of development or is gaining traction in the market. 

These technologies are typically focused on addressing the challenges of traditional energy sources, such as fossil fuels, by offering cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable alternatives. 

What are the examples of New and Emerging technologies? 

1. Solar Power: Solar energy is one of the most well-known and widely adopted renewable energy sources. It involves harnessing the power of sunlight to generate electricity through photovoltaic (PV) panels or concentrated solar power (CSP) systems.
2. Wind Power: Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of wind into electricity. Advances in wind turbine design and manufacturing have made wind power a cost-effective and scalable renewable energy option.
3. Energy Storage: Energy storage technologies play a crucial role in integrating renewable energy sources into the grid and ensuring a stable and reliable power supply. Examples include batteries, pumped hydro storage, and advanced technologies like flow batteries and compressed air energy storage.
4. Geothermal Energy: Geothermal power utilizes heat from the Earth’s interior to generate electricity. It involves tapping into hot water or steam reservoirs beneath the Earth’s surface to drive turbines.
5. Bioenergy: Bioenergy involves using organic materials, such as biomass, agricultural residues, or dedicated energy crops, to produce heat, electricity, or biofuels. This includes technologies like anaerobic digestion, biomass gasification, and biofuel production from algae.
6. Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, with water being the only byproduct. Fuel cells have the potential to power a wide range of applications, including transportation and stationary power systems.
7. Tidal and Wave Power: Tidal and wave energy technologies capture the kinetic energy of ocean tides and waves to generate electricity. These technologies are still in the early stages of development but hold promise for coastal regions with strong tidal or wave resources.

What is the significance of New and Emerging technologies?

New and emerging technologies in the energy sector hold significant importance for several reasons:

1. Sustainable Development: New and emerging technologies offer opportunities to shift away from fossil fuel dependence and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They enable the development of cleaner and more sustainable energy systems, supporting the goals of mitigating climate change and achieving sustainable development.
2. Energy Security: By diversifying the energy mix and reducing reliance on finite fossil fuel resources, new and emerging technologies enhance energy security. Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are abundant and domestically available in many regions, reducing dependence on imported fuels.
3. Economic Growth and Job Creation: The development and deployment of new energy technologies stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities. Investments in renewable energy projects and associated industries lead to job creation across the value chain, from manufacturing and construction to operations and maintenance.
4. Technological Innovation: New and emerging energy technologies drive technological innovation and advancements. They encourage research and development activities, leading to improvements in efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and performance of energy systems. This innovation spill-over can also benefit other sectors and contribute to overall technological progress.
5. Energy Access and Affordability: New technologies offer the potential to provide affordable and reliable energy access to underserved populations, especially in remote or off-grid areas. Off-grid solar systems, mini-grids, and decentralized energy solutions can extend energy services to communities without access to traditional grid infrastructure.
6. Resilience and Adaptation: As climate change impacts intensify, new technologies can contribute to building resilience and adapting to a changing environment. Energy storage, smart grids, and decentralized systems help improve the reliability and flexibility of energy supply, making it more resilient to disruptions and extreme weather events.

Way Forward

By embracing and promoting new and emerging energy technologies, societies can transition towards cleaner, more sustainable, and resilient energy systems. These technologies have the potential to address multiple energy-related challenges, including climate change, energy poverty, and environmental degradation while fostering economic growth and technological innovation.

Source: 

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1924036

Mohit Pratap Singh