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Environmental and
socio-economic aspects of possible development in renewable
energy use
Abdeen Mustafa Omer
17 Juniper
Court, Forest Road West, Nottingham NG7 4EU, United Kingdom.
E-mail:
abdeenomer2@yahoo.co.uk
Accepted 12 October, 2009 |
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The use of renewable energy sources is a fundamental factor
for a possible energy policy in the future. Taking into
account the sustainable character of the majority of
renewable energy technologies, they are able to preserve
resources and to provide security, diversity of energy
supply and services, virtually without environmental impact.
Sustainability has acquired great importance due to the
negative impact of various developments on environment. The
rapid growth during the last decade has been accompanied by
active construction, which in some instances neglected the
impact on the environment and human activities. Policies to
promote the rational use of electric energy and to preserve
natural non-renewable resources are of paramount importance.
Low energy design of urban environment and buildings in
densely populated areas requires consideration of wide range
of factors, including urban setting, transport planning,
energy system design and architectural and engineering
details. The focus of the world’s attention on environmental
issues in recent years has stimulated response in many
countries, which have led to a closer examination of energy
conservation strategies for conventional fossil fuels. One
way of reducing building energy consumption is to design
buildings, which are more economical in their use of energy
for heating, lighting, cooling, ventilation and hot water
supply. Passive measures, particularly natural or hybrid
ventilation rather than air-conditioning, can dramatically
reduce primary energy consumption. However, exploitation of
renewable energy in buildings and agricultural greenhouses
can, also, significantly contribute towards reducing
dependency on fossil fuels. Therefore, promoting innovative
renewable applications and reinforcing the renewable energy
market will contribute to preservation of the ecosystem by
reducing emissions at local and global levels. This will
also contribute to the amelioration of environmental
conditions by replacing conventional fuels with renewable
energies that produce no air pollution or greenhouse gases.
This article presents review of energy sources, environment
and sustainable development. This includes all the renewable
energy technologies, energy savings, energy efficiency
systems and measures necessary to reduce climate change.
Key
word:
Renewable energies, wind power, solar energy, environment,
sustainable development. |
