Renewable Energy: Solar, Wind & Hydropower
- Title
- Renewable Energy: Solar, Wind & Hydropower
- Description
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy sources naturally replenish over time and are essential for mitigating climate change.
Solar Energy
- Technology: Converts sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells.
- Global Impact: Global solar capacity surpassed $1 \text{ TW}$ in 2022.
Wind Energy
- Mechanism: Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of air movement into electricity.
- Advantage: Offshore farms benefit from stronger, more consistent winds.
Hydropower
- Mechanism: Uses the flow of water, such as rivers and dams, to drive turbines.
- Potential in Nepal: Estimated $83,000 \text{ MW}$.
- Installed Capacity (Nepal): Approximately $3,000 \text{ MW}$ (rapidly increasing).
- Notable Projects in Nepal: Upper Tamakoshi ($456 \text{ MW}$), Kali Gandaki A ($144 \text{ MW}$), and Marsyangdi.
Paris Agreement (2015)
- Goal: International treaty aiming to limit global warming to $1.5–2^\text{o}\text{C}$ above pre-industrial levels.
- Category
- Environment
- Key Person/Organization
- N/A