Understand why renewable energy sources are crucial to combating the climate crisis. Discover how harnessing energy from the sun, wind, water and biomass can contribute to sustainable development.
Solar panels produce energy also on cloudy days, although their efficiency is lower then. The key point is that the panels use not only the direct rays of the sun, but also diffuse light. An example of this can be found in Germany, one of the market leaders in photovoltaics, where there are an average of 1,600 to 1,900 hours of sunshine per year, yet the technology successfully provides around 12% of the country’s total energy consumption. In comparison, Poland has a similar number of hours of sunshine and the share of photovoltaics in the energy mix is only about 4%. This means that our country’s potential in this field is still untapped.
Solar panel prices have fallen significantly in recent decades. In the last 10 years, installation costs have decreased by up to 70%, mainly due to technological advances and increased production capacity worldwide. What’s more, subsidies, tax breaks and support programmes are available in many countries, making the cost of installation affordable for the average family. Solar energy can significantly reduce electricity bills and the investment usually pays back within a few years.
Today’s solar panels are very efficient. The time it takes them to ‘work off’ the energy used to produce them is only 1-3 years. With a lifetime of typically 25-30 years, this means that they generate clean energy for the majority of their operation. Reliable studies confirm that the environmental benefits of the panels far outweigh their production impact.
Most of the materials used in the manufacture of the panels, such as glass, aluminium and silicon, can be recycled. Recycling involves dismantling the panels, separating the aluminium frame, cables and glass and then recovering the valuable raw materials. Currently, around 90 per cent of materials can be recovered, and technologies in this area are constantly being developed. The biggest challenge remains the recycling of thin-film cells, which require more advanced technological processes.
Modern solar panels are designed to resist extreme weather conditions. According to IEC 61215, the panels must be able to withstand the impact of a 25 mm diameter hailstones at 82 km per hour. Proper installation further protects them from wind and snow.
This question often arises in the context of the construction of wind farms near residential areas. Today’s wind turbines are designed to operate as quietly as possible. The sounds emitted by the turbines are comparable to the gentle hum of the wind in a forest, and their intensity is so low that they are virtually inaudible at a distance of several hundred metres. Modern technologies such as optimised rotor blades and low-noise mechanisms further reduce noise levels.
In the past, wind turbines have been criticised for their impact on birds. However, modern wind farms are designed with bird migration and local ecosystems in mind. Turbines are sited to minimise the risk of collisions. In addition, technologies are used to monitor bird movements and paint the blades in a way that increases their visibility. In comparison, bird collisions with buildings and cars are much more common than with wind turbines.
Some people are concerned that wind turbines can adversely affect people’s health, primarily due to infrasound and shadow flicker. Let’s take a closer look at these issues.
Infrasound, or sounds with frequencies below the threshold of hearing of the human ear, is indeed generated by wind turbines, but its levels are so low that scientific studies clearly show that there are no negative effects on human health. By comparison, such infrasound is also emitted by natural phenomena such as sea waves or wind in the treetops. Moreover, as mentioned in the previous section, modern turbines are designed to operate as quietly as possible and minimise all sounds, including inaudible ones.
Shadow flicker is another issue of concern. This effect occurs when rotating turbine blades cast a shadow that changes over time and can create a flickering sensation around the wind farm. This can be a nuisance for some people living very close to the turbines. However, in practice most wind farms are designed to avoid this problem. Building regulations in Poland and many other countries require that turbines are placed at an appropriate distance from houses, which significantly reduces or eliminates shadow flicker. In addition, modern software makes it possible to monitor and limit the running time of the turbines in situations where flicker could be a nuisance.
Another often repeated myth about wind turbines worth mentioning here is the so-called wind turbine syndrome. Some claim that the presence of wind turbines can cause headaches, fatigue or sleep disturbances. However, scientific studies do not support the existence of such a syndrome as an effect of turbines. Most of the symptoms attributed to turbines may be the result of subjective perception of noise or other environmental factors, such as the stress of living near a wind farm, rather than the actual impact of the equipment.
Tastes are difficult to discuss, but wind turbines, like the windmills that once appeared in paintings by Dutch masters, are often seen as symbols of modernity and ecology. Moreover, the locations of wind farms are carefully chosen to minimise their visibility in areas of special natural or cultural value. It is worth noting that the turbines occupy only a small part of the area on which they are installed, allowing the land to be used simultaneously for farming and other applications.
The cost of building wind farms may seem high, but the technology is currently one of the cheapest renewable energy sources to operate. Once built, wind turbines produce energy at almost no additional cost, since wind is the fuel. What’s more, wind energy in Poland is already price-competitive with energy from coal or gas. According to available data, the cost of producing 1 kilowatt-hour of energy from wind farms in Poland is currently about 19 cents, while energy from new coal-fired power plants is an expense of about 31 cents for the same amount of energy.1 By comparison, energy from gas can cost as much as 34 cents, especially with fluctuations in fuel prices.
Wind energy is one of the cleanest and most accessible ways to generate energy, and it is increasingly changing our daily lives. With thoughtful technological solutions and growing public support, wind turbines are enabling us to build a more sustainable future.
While this was true in many cases until recently, when appropriate technologies and precautions are applied, modern hydropower plants have a limited environmental impact, which they offset with a powerful reduction in carbon footprint.
While having geysers certainly helps the development of geothermal energy, it is not absolutely indispensable. Deep boreholes allow geothermal power plants to be built anywhere, and heat pumps, as we well know, work great in all conditions.
While such solutions are indeed more expensive to build than, say, photovoltaics or even wind turbines, they also last much longer. Hydroelectric plants have a lifespan of 50 to 100 years, 20 to 70 years longer than photovoltaic panels and wind turbines. If used properly, geothermal power plants can also operate for around 50 years. In addition, due to their rather simple method of action, they are much cheaper to operate and maintain. Domestic heat pumps, on the other hand, are one of the cheapest and easiest to maintain sources of consumer energy… so not too bad!
This is one of the most common misconceptions. Biomass does not have to destroy forests if its extraction is properly managed. Woody biomass mainly uses forestry residues such as branches, chips or wood waste, which are not suitable for other uses. In addition, much of the biomass comes from agricultural land or urban greenery rather than directly from forests. However, it is crucial to introduce sustainable forest management rules that prevent over-felling and take care of regeneration. Countries such as Poland have strict regulations that control wood which can be used as biomass, thus protecting the forests.
This claim requires clarification. Burning biomass releases CO₂, but the amount of this gas is equal to the amount absorbed by plants through photosynthesis during their growth. Therefore, biomass is considered a carbon-neutral energy source – it does not increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmospheric cycle, provided that the extraction of the raw material is sustainable. Coal, on the other hand, releases CO₂ stored in the ground over millions of years, leading to an increase in global greenhouse gas emissions. The key difference is therefore in the origin of the carbon: biomass benefits from the current carbon cycle in nature, while fossil fuels introduce additional CO₂ into the atmosphere.
This problem mainly concerns first-generation biofuels, which are produced from edible crops such as maize or sugar cane. In some regions of the world, this can lead to an increase in food prices and a reduction in arable land for food production. However, second-generation biomass, extracted from agricultural waste, forestry residues or wasteland, solves this problem. With this technology, raw materials that were previously waste can be used to produce energy, without affecting the food market. The key is therefore to develop technologies and policies that promote second-generation biomass, minimising conflicts between energy and food needs.
Biomass is not only a source of energy, but also part of a sustainable lifestyle that promotes responsibility for the environment and natural resources. Its use helps reduce waste, supports the local economy and creates jobs while reducing dependence on fossil fuels. It is an energy that combines tradition with modernity and opens the door to a greener future.
One of the popular misconceptions about renewables and programmes to support their development is that the costs of their implementation will fall mainly on the shoulders of local communities, especially those in rural areas. Nothing could be further from the truth!
RES projects, such as wind farms, are indeed being developed mainly in rural areas, but their presence is an opportunity for real development in these areas. An example is the Margonin municipality in the Wielkopolskie Province, where there are 60 wind turbines. Annual tax revenues from the farm amount to around PLN 6 million. Such funds can be used by municipalities to modernise roads, finance schools and kindergartens, build sports facilities, support senior citizens or develop public transport.
Through tax revenues and innovative solutions such as energy cooperatives, local budgets gain the means to improve the quality of life of local residents. Renewable energy is thus becoming not only a source of clean energy, but also a tool for socio-economic development.
The construction and operation of RES installations means additional orders for construction, transport and maintenance companies. This means more work for local entrepreneurs and new jobs for local residents. In addition, the presence of such projects increases the attractiveness of the region for future investors.
Farmers can also benefit through innovative solutions such as agrivoltaics. This is a combination of solar energy production and agricultural activity that allows the same land to yield more income. For example, installing panels over crops can protect them from excessive sunlight while generating energy.
Rural and urban-rural areas have a unique opportunity to establish energy cooperatives which allow residents to collectively produce and consume renewable energy, saving on transmission charges. Surplus energy can be fed into the grid, giving in return discounts on the purchase of power during periods of low production. It is a model that benefits both the community and the environment.
RES not only does not burden local communities, but becomes an engine for their development. With tax support, new technologies and cooperation models, rural areas can not only become energy independent, but also gain new economic and social opportunities. Renewable energy is not a cost – it is an investment in a better future!
The belief that the transition to green energy will ruin Polish industry, particularly that based on mining, is one of the most frequently raised concerns around renewable energy sources. Is this really the case? Let’s check the facts.
Contrary to popular belief, mining is not a sector that supports itself. Poland subsidises its operation by billions of zlotys every year. Meanwhile, RES offer a more sustainable alternative – both economically and environmentally. What’s more, the development of RES creates an opportunity to retrain mine workers as specialists in wind, solar or hydroelectric installations. This is an opportunity for a stable job in a dynamic industry.
Renewable energy sources can make Polish industry independent of fossil fuel price fluctuations on the world market. For companies, this means cost predictability, lower financial risks and potential savings, especially if they opt for rail transport powered by clean energy. This is not only environmentally friendly, but also an economically viable solution.
The development of RES means thousands of new jobs. Regardless of the type of energy – be it wind farms, photovoltaic panels or hydroelectric plants – people are needed to design, manufacture, install and maintain these technologies. It is worth recalling the story of the construction of the Hoover Dam in the 1930s – one of the first large-scale energy projects. This investment not only provided employment for tens of thousands of people but also boosted local economies through the development of services and commerce.
Imagine a house powered solely by solar or wind energy. What happens when there is no wind and the sky is covered with clouds? Does it mean darkness and a cold dinner? Fortunately not! Today’s technologies make RES-based grids more reliable and better prepared for sudden changes than traditional systems.
The secret is smart grids that monitor and manage energy in real time. When the wind turbines produce more energy than needed, the grids send the surplus to where it is needed or store it for later. In Denmark, where half of the energy comes from wind, such solutions provide electricity even on windless days.
That said, what about energy storage? This is where advanced batteries come into play – similar to those in cell phones, but larger and more efficient. They store energy during periods of surplus generation and give it back when demand increases, ensuring system stability.
Renewables have another ace up their sleeve: distributed energy sources. Imagine hundreds of thousands of homes with solar panels on their roofs that power an integrated system. This makes power outages less frequent, because a failure in one place does not affect the entire grid. Can traditional power stations do this? It only takes the failure of one coal-fired power station to cause a blackout in an entire region. Meanwhile, RES-based grids are like a giant spider web – flexible and resilient to local problems.
Wind and solar farms can seem huge. Do we have to give up valuable land to have them built? Not necessarily. There are creative solutions that minimise the impact of RES installations on the space, and some that further enhance their functionality.
One such solution is agrivoltaics. Solar panels are mounted on structures that allow plants to grow beneath them. This protects the crops from excessive sun, rain or hail.
In cities, panels on the roofs of residential buildings, skyscrapers or car parks have become an everyday reality. Increasingly, solar farms are being installed on bodies of water, where the panels produce energy and reduce water evaporation. Modern wind turbines are built at sea, where the wind is stronger and more stable.
At first glance, RES appear more expensive than coal or gas-fired power plants. However, technological innovations have steadily reduced costs. The cost of turbines has fallen by 40% in the last 10 years due to better materials and optimisation. Modern turbines produce more energy from fewer units, which also reduces construction and maintenance costs. The same is true for solar panels – their cost has fallen by more than 80 per cent in the last 10 years thanks to automation and larger scale production.
Equally important is the optimisation of the transmission network. In China, a system for the long-distance transmission of energy using high-voltage direct current (HVDC) has been developed. This allows energy from remote solar and wind farms to be transmitted efficiently to densely populated urban areas. In Europe, particularly in Scandinavian countries, so-called ‘smart grids’ are being developed, which minimise losses and reduce operating costs by automatically managing energy flows. Innovations such as energy storage also help to optimise costs. Huge batteries, such as those in California or Australia, store energy generated during periods of overproduction and return it to the grid when it is needed most. This allows power grids to operate more stably, without the need to build expensive back-up power plants.
Since the sun only shines during the day and the wind doesn’t always blow, can renewables operate around the clock? The answer is yes, thanks to energy storage facilities and modern grid management. Storage facilities store surpluses and give them back when production drops. In California, lithium-ion batteries have helped avoid blackouts, and in Australia they support grid stability.
Innovative grid management technologies allow flexible use of different energy sources. Hydroelectric power plants can act like “batteries”: water is pumped into the upper reservoirs during overproduction, and when we need energy, it drives turbines. Hybrid plants combine different energy sources, ensuring a smooth supply even under fluctuating conditions.
Hydrogen technology, used in Germany, uses surplus energy from wind farms to produce green hydrogen, which serves as fuel at times of peak demand.
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