WINDP O WER
powered electricity generators and supports developing economies aiming toward a sustainable energy future.
UP
Geothermal power The global installed capacity of geothermal energy is about 13 GW. The largest installed capacities are in China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Mexico and New Zealand. Although the land use for geothermal energy is minimal compared with wind power, the main risks are atmospheric emissions, water use, solid waste and noise. This energy resource has potential in developing countries and is projected (given better technology) to become more commercially available in such countries over the next two decades.
HOW DO LOW CARBON TECHNOLOGIES IMPACT ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY?
Low carbon technologies have the following main positive attributes: • The GHG emissions (throughout their lifecycle) of renewable sources are approximately 5-6 percent of those for coal and 8-10 percent of those for natural gas.
• Renewables cause significantly lower pollution, but have a higher demand for structural materials.
The world’s population is expected to grow from seven billion today to nine billion in 2050. Couple this to increasing industrialization and the strident globalization of trade, and it’s easy to see why global
SOLAR PHOT O V OLT AIC
energy demand is expected to double by 2050. More than 75 percent of this growth is expected to come from developing countries. Massive energy investments will be required and low carbon technologies will play a key role in the sustainable development of the future energy landscape as countries attempt to manage GHG emissions and impacts on land, air and water. The key to a sustainable energy future, however, lies in choosing the right mix of technologies given local or regional circumstances and ensuring there are safeguard procedures in place to mitigate and monitor impacts.
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PHOTO: Olivier Le Moal/Alamy Stock Photo
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