Renewable Energy Resources In and Out of United States

The international energy sector is encouraging different countries to use renewable energy resources for their electricity and other energy needs. We should reduce our dependence on fossil fuel which is rapidly depleting. There are other energy forms which can be source out from our environment. Aside from providing us almost unlimited resources, renewable energy is environment-friendly, posing no threat on our ecosystem.

Maybe you are thinking if different countries really answered the call of the international energy sector and other concerned organizations. Let us take a glimpse on some of the renewable energy efforts inside and outside of the United States in terms of renewable energy development. Continue reading and find out renewable energy resources utilization in and out of the country.

Renewable Energy Resources for Local Energy Supply in Georgia

The state of Georgia is considered to be rich in renewable sources, particularly in geothermal heat and hydropower energy. However, development of these resources has been neglected. After facing a serious energy crisis, due to the electricity disruptions caused by overloaded distribution system and limited generation capacity, many energy advocates started to promote the use of renewable energy resources.

To improve energy efficiency of buildings around Georgia, the local energy sector suggested maximizing the use of geothermal heat which is abundant in the state, as well as other renewable energy resources. The estimated capacity of the state’s geothermal resources amounted to 200-250 million cubic meter per year which has a temperature ranging from 50 to 100 degrees Celsius. These resources can actually help the state save an average of 1.3 to 1.5 million tons of conventional fuel per year.

Georgia is also one of the states with large hydropower resources. It is estimated to have a hydroelectric potential (which includes large hydropower plants) of 80 to 85 billion kilowatt-hour (kWh). It is enough to supply the state’s electricity needs.

Texas Renewable Energy Resources

Texas’ hydropower resources include its lakes, rivers, and oceans. The following are the outline of the hydroelectric capacity potentials from Texas’ river system.

1. Red River- installed capacity potential of 95 megawatts

2. Neches-Sabine River- installed capacity potential of 120 megawatts

3. Trinity River- installed capacity potential of 170 megawatts

4. Brazos River- installed capacity potential of 50 megawatts

5. Colorado River- installed capacity potential of 230 megawatts

6. Guadalupe River- installed capacity potential of 30 megawatts

7. Nueches-Rio Grande River- installed capacity potential of 105 megawatts

Research and development of Texas’ ocean energy which is another from of hydropower resources is still ongoing. The feasibility of the system is yet to be finalized, since the tidal range in the Gulf Coast is just 1.3 feet, considered to be too low to produce necessary electric power.

The OTEC (ocean thermal energy conversion) is also considered to be a potential energy sources. However, it is important that the electricity that will be generated through this system must be transmitted in a short distance from the system to the shore. Currently, the closest OTEC potential site in Texas has a distance of 100 miles from the offshore, making it difficult to transmit generated electricity.

Renewable Energy in Bangladesh

Renewable energy development in Bangladesh, a country in Asia, is quite good. It is situated in a location ideal for solar energy utilization. Different research and development institutes and organization starts their solar experiments in different parts of Bangladesh, which has an estimated solar radiation of 4 to 6.5 kilowatt-hours per square meter.

It has also rivers which can be good hydropower resources. An average of 1.4 trillion cubic meters of water is flowing in different rivers of the country. It has also 710 kilometer-long coastal belt along the Bay of Bengal which can be a good source of tidal, wave, or OTEC energy resources. The average tidal rise and fall in the coastal part of the country is ranging from 2 to 8 meters.

Other countries and places around the world are starting to utilize renewable energy resources. Do not be surprise if one day you will be riding on a solar-powered commercial airplane. In renewable energy, it could be possible.