Renewable Energy for a Greener Future: Development & Challenges

Fossil fuels are a major cause of climate change and global warming. These environmental issues have severe consequences for biodiversity, ecosystems, and human survival.

The growing demand for electricity, heating, cooling, and transportation is driving a continuous increase in greenhouse gas emissions. This is a significant global challenge. Reducing these emissions to combat climate change has become a major concern for all nations and individuals. 

Additionally, reserves of oil, gas, and coal are depleting, making the continuous and affordable supply of fossil fuels a serious global issue.

Renewable energy has become essential for every economy. It includes energy from sources like solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and hydropower. These sources are more sustainable, cleaner, and less polluting than fossil fuels.

Global Advocacy for Renewable Energy

Since the 1972 United Nations (UN) Stockholm Declaration on the Human Environment, world leaders have raised concerns about fossil fuel depletion and emphasized the importance of renewable energy.

Various international organizations, forums, and non-governmental organizations have been established to promote renewable energy

Key global initiatives for renewable energy include:

1987: World Commission on Environment and Development Report.

1992: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Rio Earth Summit).

Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement: Landmark agreements on climate action.

2012: The UN declared the year as the "International Year of Sustainable Energy for All."

2014-2024: The UN designated this period as the "Decade of Sustainable Energy for All."

Renewable energy is vital to achieving global sustainable development goals, fostering economic growth, and improving global prosperity.

The Big Question (The Million-Dollar Question)

The challenge remains: "How can we develop clean, affordable, and renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels and combat climate change?"

How do we develop clean, affordable, renewable energy to combat climate change and replace fossil fuels?" remains a critical challenge.

Despite decades of research, no single renewable energy source can fully replace oil and gas. Scientists are now focusing on renewable energy hybrid systems— integrating multiple renewable sources to ensure reliable, cost-effective, and efficient energy production. 

Countries that adopt sustainable energy will lead the future, but the global transition to renewables remains slow.

India's Renewable Energy Growth and Goals

Currently, nearly 90% of India's power comes from fossil fuels, significantly contributing to global warming. However, India is rapidly increasing its renewable energy capacity, with notable progress in solar power, which has expanded 12 times in the last decade

India's commitment under the Paris Agreement includes reducing carbon emissions from 2005 levels and ensuring 40% of its total power capacity comes from renewable sources by 2030. 

To support this transition, the Indian government has introduced policies and incentives like:

• Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission

• Modified Special Incentive Package Scheme

• National Manufacturing Policy

• Make in India initiative

Key Challenges in India's Renewable Energy Sector

Despite progress, India's renewable energy sector faces several challenges:

• Low demand for wind energy: Growth in wind power has slowed over the last two years,  leaving manufacturing capacity underused.

• Solar energy shortfalls: The country is falling behind targets set by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

• Transmission issues: Long-distance power transmission faces hurdles due to power purchase agreements under solar auctions, and India lacks affordable energy storage.

• Storage limitations / Technology : Affordable storage solutions for renewable energy are lacking, affecting consistent energy supply. (Remains expensive; affordable solutions may take 5+ years to develop. Once available, renewable energy could gradually replace fossil fuels.)

• Grid integration challenges: India's power grid struggles to balance unpredictable solar and wind energy output. Operators need precise forecasts to ensure a stable energy supply.

• Grid Integration – Renewable energy faces technical challenges:

Unpredictable supply (wind and solar depend on weather).

Lack of flexible backup power to balance fluctuations.

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Renewable energy storage technology is still expensive but is expected to become more affordable within five years.

If storage solutions improve, renewable energy adoption will accelerate, reducing dependence on fossil fuels.