Renewables and environmental implications

Man has always been using energy from renewable sources. Recently, however, new quality in the perception of energy problems has been created and a distinct progress in energy use of biomass, geothermics, sun, water and wind has been achieved. Why is it that today views are re-evaluated towards sustainable usage of all available energy potential (fossil fuels, renewable sources, nuclear power), with clearly and firmly determined goals for a systematic development and an increase of share of energy from renewable sources in primary energy production even up to 70-80% by 2050. The fact that issues of pro-ecologically orientated energy and fuels are presently given a global dimension results from several economic, social and, above all, environmental factors, of which the main ones are: (i) systematically growing demands for primary energy, which is closely connected with demographic changes and lifestyle, (ii) fossil fuels resources are limited, depletable and their supply and consumption are not balanced, and (iii) since technologies for energy conversion from renewable sources are known for being less efficient and more expensive compared to fossil fuels, it is necessary to develop new technologies, search for new solution and continuously introduce innovations. According to the International Energy Agency, the rate of present changes and development in technologies for energy utilization have distinctive traits of energy revolution although some claim that it is only evolution. Nevertheless, new political programs orientated on pro-environmental development of energy sector with significant share of energy from renewable sources proclaimed by the European Union, the United States and the United Nations support the idea of revolutionary changes. Environmental paradoxes related to exploitation of renewable sources are discussed, including a question of disparity between environmental effects, clean energy fiction, the myth of cheap energy, apparent diversification of agricultural production and enhanced biodiversity. In reference to biofuels, wind turbines, hydropower plants as well as solar and geothermal facilities, their interference with environment is analyzed from the point of view of environment management and protection. It has been stated that energy from renewable sources has become a significant component in the structure of supply and consumption of useful energy. This energy is an equivalent of energy from fossil fuels that has a great potential of reducing greenhouse gases emission. At the same time, differences in technological advancement of energy conversion from renewable sources between countries may deepen the present disproportions and cause secondary degradation of valuable natural ecosystems. Thus, rationalization of activities in order to capture specific equilibrium between positive and negative consequences of utilization of energy from renewable sources is purposeful. Rational use of renewables together with providing for environmental requirements will facilitate sustainable energy development.