Renewable Energy Dreams Become Reality**
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewable energy accounted for 26% of global electricity generation in 2019, up from 21% in 2010. Solar energy alone has seen an incredible growth, with solar power capacity increasing by over 20% annually between 2010 and 2019. Wind power, hydroelectric power, and geothermal energy have also made significant contributions to the growth of renewable energy. renewable energy dreams become reality ielts reading answers
Geothermal energy harnesses the heat from the Earth’s core to generate electricity. Geothermal power plants use steam from underground reservoirs to drive turbines, generating electricity. In 2019, global geothermal power capacity reached 13 GW, with the top five countries being the United States, Indonesia, Philippines, Mexico, and New Zealand. Renewable Energy Dreams Become Reality** According to the
Solar energy is not only used for electricity generation but also for heating and cooling. Solar water heating systems, for example, use solar energy to heat water for domestic use, reducing the need for fossil fuels. Concentrated solar power (CSP) systems use mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight, generating heat or electricity. Geothermal energy harnesses the heat from the Earth’s
Another challenge is policy and regulation. Renewable energy policies, such as feed-in tariffs and tax incentives, have been instrumental in promoting the growth of renewable energy. However, these policies are not always consistent or long-term, creating uncertainty for investors.
Geothermal energy is a reliable and constant source of energy, with a capacity factor of 90%. However, its potential is limited to areas with suitable geology, such as near tectonic plate boundaries.
Hydroelectric power is one of the oldest and largest sources of renewable energy. Hydroelectric power plants harness the energy of moving water to generate electricity. In 2019, hydroelectric power accounted for 60% of global renewable energy generation.