TITLE:
A Comparative Analysis of the Sustainable Growth of Global Hydro, Solar, and Wind Power Systems (Renewable Energy Systems)
AUTHORS:
Jusu Momoh Ngobeh, Mustapha Sannoh, Joseph Thullah
KEYWORDS:
Renewable Energy, Sustainable, Environment, Technology, Optimization
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Energy Efficiency,
Vol.12 No.3,
September
30,
2023
ABSTRACT: The unfettered
reliance on fossil fuels for centuries has pushed the world to the brink of severe
environmental crises. While individual studies on renewable energy generation capacity
have been conducted, a comprehensive analysis is lacking. This study aims to address
this gap by providing a comparative analysis of three major renewable energy sources—hydro,
solar, and wind— and their current global utilization statistics. Additionally,
it will examine the efficacy of fossil fuels
and their detrimental impact on the environment. Global warming and its associated
health consequences on the ecosystem are rapidly escalating. Without a complete
decarbonization of our energy systems, environmental deterioration is poised to
continue at an alarming rate. Fortunately, a plethora of traditional and renewable
energy resources exist that have minimal or no
environmental impact and have been available for years. However, these resources
remain largely untapped. The full potential of RE resources hinges on the development
of sustainable technologies to harness their energy to their fullest capacity. This
study delves into the current global and regional RE utilization from 2013 to 2022,
based on data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) 2023. The focus
is limited to the three primary renewable energy sources with the highest harnessing
capacity in recent times. Employing appropriate
mathematical analyses, the results reveal exponential growth in renewable
energy, with an average annual generating capacity of 2353550.7 MW over the past
decade. Hydroelectric power, solar power, and wind, among others, have played a
significant role in the global penetration of renewable energy systems. The changing
dynamics have propelled these RE resources into the spotlight in recent years, owing
to their sustainability and environmental friendliness.