scholarly journals Renewable Energy in Wilderness Landscapes: Visitors’ Perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (20) ◽  
pp. 5812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edita Tverijonaite ◽  
Anna Dóra Sæþórsdóttir ◽  
Rannveig Ólafsdóttir ◽  
C. Michael Hall
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
Hydropower Plant ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Visual Appearance ◽  
Wilderness Experience ◽  
Renewable Energy Development ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys ◽  
Change Mitigation

Increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix is of crucial importance for climate change mitigation. However, as renewable energy development often changes the visual appearance of landscapes and might affect other industries relying on them, such as nature-based tourism, it therefore requires careful planning. This is especially true in Iceland, a country rich in renewable energy resources and a popular nature-based tourism destination. The present study investigated the potential impacts on tourism of the proposed Hverfisfljót hydropower plant by identifying the main attractions of the area as well as by analyzing visitors’ perceptions, preferences and attitudes, and the place meanings they assign to the landscape of the area. The data for the study were collected using onsite questionnaire surveys, interviews with visitors to the area, open-ended diaries, and participant observation. The results reveal that the area of the proposed power plant is perceived as wilderness by its visitors, who seek environmental settings related to the components of a wilderness experience. Visitors were highly satisfied with the present settings and preferred to protect the area from development to ensure the provision of currently available recreational opportunities. The results further show that the proposed Hverfisfljót hydropower plant would reduce the attractiveness of the area to its visitors, degrade their wilderness experience, and therefore strongly reduce their interest in visiting the area. Moreover, the participants perceived the already developed lowlands of the country as more suitable for renewable energy development than the undeveloped highland areas, which is in line with the principles of smart practices for renewable energy development.

Renewable Energy Development – Challenges for Bangladesh

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 421-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Tarik-ul-Islam ◽  
Sara Ferdousi
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Rural Development ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Sustainable Rural Development ◽  
Renewable Energy Development

In Bangladesh, annual per capita energy consumption is approximately 200 KgOE3, which is among the lowest in the world. Presently, 70% of the population does not have access to electricity in Bangladesh (GoB, 2004). The average system loss is 20.97% (GoB, 2006). The demand for power is estimated to increase 300 MW annually (GoB, 1996a). In contrast, concerns have been raised about the conventional energy production from fossil fuels that significantly contributes to environmental degradation at the local, regional and global levels. This situation calls for adoption of sustainable energy strategies that permeate every level of the economy and can provide rural dwellers with the services that they want and need. With this backdrop, Bangladesh has been experiencing a gradual shift towards exploring renewable energy resources as a means to fuel rural development in the off-grid areas. The country is endowed with abundant renewable energy resources. The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), with its mandate for sustainable rural development has embarked on a program for demonstration and transfer of renewable energy technologies in the off-grid rural areas. The project “Sustainable Rural Energy (SRE)‘ has been conceived within the overall framework of ‘Sustainable Environment Management Programme (SEMP)’ with financial support from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This project has already completed a number of renewable energy installations demonstrating diversified community applications of these technologies for livelihood and socio-economic improvement of the people living in the remote off-grid villages. The lessons learned from these demonstration plants reveal that, with careful forward planning, renewable energy can provide far-reaching economic and social benefits to people living in remote rural areas in Bangladesh. The private sectors and NGOs (Non-government organizations) have started to take part in the process of renewable energy development with great promise and enthusiasm. However, the process encounters policy, institutional and technological barriers, which are critical for continued development in this sector.

Trust in Ultima Thules: Social Capital and Renewable Energy Development in Iceland and Greenland. Part I

2020 ◽  
pp. 182-219
Author(s):  
Aliaksei PATONIA ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Renewable Power ◽  
Renewable Energy Development ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Energy Strategies

Iceland — an independent republic — and Greenland — an autonomous country within Denmark — represent two nations with similar geographical, economic, and historical backgrounds. Isolated from the continents, both are significantly affected by an adverse climate, making their economies dependent on trade and import. Nevertheless, despite their similarities, their national energy patterns differ substantially. Specifically, Iceland covers most of its energy mix with local renewables, whereas Greenland meets most of the energy demand with imported hydrocarbons. This paper investigates the reasons for Greenland lagging behind Iceland in terms of developing renewable energy resources. It hypothesises that, apart from the commonly-mentioned geographical, institutional, and cultural factors, the difference in social capital level has significantly contributed to the countries’ divergent energy strategies. In this sense, Iceland’s higher social capital stock stimulates its renewable power progress, whereas Greenland’s lower social capital level hampers it. To examine this hypothesis, the article constructs a ‘social capital tripod’, which assumes specific geographical, institutional, and cultural factors to be linked to renewable energy development through social capital. The findings demonstrate that Greenland, being dependent on hydrocarbon import, has a significantly lower expected level of social capital than Iceland, which runs mostly on renewables, therefore generally aligning with the research hypothesis.

scholarly journals Trust in Ultima Thules: Social Capital and Renewable Energy Development in Iceland and Greenland. Part II

2021 ◽  
pp. 242-256
Author(s):  
Aliaksei PATONIA ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
Cultural Factors ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Renewable Power ◽  
Renewable Energy Development ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Energy Strategies

Iceland — an independent republic — and Greenland — an autonomous country within Denmark — represent two nations with similar geographical, economic, and historical backgrounds. Isolated from the continents, both are significantly affected by an adverse climate, making their economies dependent on trade and import. Nevertheless, despite their similarities, their national energy patterns differ substantially. Specifically, Iceland covers most of its energy mix with local renewables, whereas Greenland meets most of the energy demand with imported hydrocarbons. This paper investigates the reasons for Greenland lagging behind Iceland in terms of developing renewable energy resources. It hypothesises that, apart from the commonly-mentioned geographical, institutional, and cultural factors, the difference in social capital level has significantly contributed to the countries’ divergent energy strategies. In this sense, Iceland’s higher social capital stock stimulates its renewable power progress, whereas Greenland’s lower social capital level hampers it. To examine this hypothesis, the article constructs a ‘social capital tripod’, which assumes specific geographical, institutional, and cultural factors to be linked to renewable energy development through social capital. The findings demonstrate that Greenland, being dependent on hydrocarbon import, has a significantly lower expected level of social capital than Iceland, which runs mostly on renewables, therefore generally aligning with the research hypothesis.

Sustainable Renewable Energy Development in India Through Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj Kumar Singh ◽  
Bharat Raj Singh
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
Renewable Energies ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Renewable Energy Development ◽  
The World

India has a vast supply of renewable energy resources, and it has one of the largest programs in the world for deploying renewable energy products and systems. Indeed, it is the only country in the world to have an exclusive ministry for renewable energy development, the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES). Since its formation, the Ministry has launched one of the world's largest and most ambitious programs on renewable energy. Based on various promotional efforts put in place by MNES, significant progress is being made in power generation from renewable energy sources. India emerged in 2008 as an aspiring producer of solar PV. Both National and State Governments announced new policies to support solar PV manufacturing in special economic zones, including capital investment subsidies of 20 percent. These policies led to USD 18 billion in new solar PV manufacturing investment plans or proposals by a large number of companies. We know where the non renewable energies – coal, oil and gas – are located and how these fuels are transported, combusted, and the power transmitted throughout the country over the power grid. Now, let's look at the renewable energies hydro, solar, wind and biomass. According to the Energy Information administration (EIA) the annual average increase will be about 4.0 percent from 2002 to 2025. The projected growth in net electricity consumption for emerging market economies is driven in large part by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and population growth assumption. It makes sense to the authors that all efforts and investment should consider accelerating these sustainable energy resources before committing to the same fossil fuel path as western nations. The fossil fuel strategy will surely bring price volatility from dwindling supplies and added pollution from carbon combustion. Tapping India's wind, solar, biomass, and hydro could bring high quality jobs from a domestic resource. Renewable energy is the measure of the development of a nation like India extensive development of the renewable energy resources on the Indian subcontinent through MNES booming economic growth, rapid Industrialization and high standard of living of global population demand more and more energy in different forms.

scholarly journals Transitioning to a sustainable development framework for bioenergy in Malaysia: policy suggestions to catalyse the utilisation of palm oil mill residues

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Siti Fatihah Salleh ◽  
Mohd Eqwan Mohd Roslan ◽  
Adlansyah Abd Rahman ◽  
Abdul Halim Shamsuddin ◽  
Tuan Ab Rashid Tuan Abdullah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Development Framework ◽  
Renewable Energy Development

Abstract Background The global commitment to climate change mitigation enforces the worldwide development of renewable energy sources. Therefore, various studies have investigated the growth of renewable energy in Malaysia, most commonly based on biogas and hydropower. In this article, the dynamics of Malaysia’s renewable energy development is critically examined by using the latest official national reports and other reliable resources. Results The study reveals the influencing factors that shape renewable energy growth in a developing country endowed with substantial biomass resources, such as Malaysia. Likewise, it evaluates the evolution of renewable energy in the electricity sector. In 2017, renewable energy represented about 3.5% of the Malaysian electricity generation mix with 1122 MW of installed capacity. A closer look into the renewable energy resources, i.e. biomass, biogas, solar and small hydro power, revealed that over 47% of the grid-connected power generation came from solar photovoltaic (PV) energy. While solar PV capacity continues to accelerate, the development of other renewable resources, especially biomass, is seeing growth at a significantly slower pace. This article investigates the underlying causes of the skewed development rate as well as the potential strategies that may be adopted to promote a diversification of renewable energy resources. In light of this, introduction of a new national bioenergy policy is proposed, through which four essential programmes could be implemented: (i) enhanced bioenergy conversion efficiency and waste management, (ii) biomass co-firing in coal power plants, (iii) conversion of biogas to biomethane and bio-compressed natural gas (bio-CNG), (iv) large-scale biomass power plants. A total of 4487 MW of additional power could be connected to the grid upon successful implementation of a large-scale biomass power plant programme. Conclusions The establishment of a comprehensive and inclusive national bioenergy policy will lead towards a sustainable future of renewable energy development in Malaysia.

scholarly journals Participatory mapping and spatial planning for renewable energy development: The case of ground-mount solar in rural Ontario

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 89-100
Author(s):  
Kirby Calvert ◽  
Rebecca Jahns
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
Rural Landscape ◽  
Participatory Mapping ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Renewable Energy Development

Displacing fossil fuels with renewable energy resources is essential to mitigate climate change. The implementation of renewable energy systems brings stark changes to local landscapes; e.g., wind turbines dotting a rural landscape, or solar panels covering fertile land that previously supplied food. These changes can evoke strong social opposition, even among people who are generally supportive of renewable energy (RE). Research suggests that public tensions around renewable energy development are reduced through inclusive decision-making processes (i.e., improved procedural justice) as well as benefits sharing (i.e., improved distributional justice). We develop and test a process for proactive and inclusive spatial planning for RE development in a region. Our work combines participatory mapping and survey- and focus-group-based sentiment analysis in order to understand community concerns around renewable energy projects, and how those concerns are reflected spatially. We conducted a case study on ground-mount solar energy systems in the Town of Caledon, Ontario, Canada. From this study, we aimed to determine what regions and kinds of landscapes community members might find acceptable or not for new solar projects, and to facilitate dialogue about opportunities and potential impacts with the general public, key stakeholders, and influencers (utilities, land-owners, developers, municipal staff) in the locality.

scholarly journals Assessing the Level of Renewable Energy Development in the European Union Member States. A 10-Year Perspective

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3765
Author(s):  
Jarosław Brodny ◽  
Magdalena Tutak ◽  
Peter Bindzár
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
The State ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Member States ◽  
Current State ◽  
Renewable Energy Development ◽  
European Union Countries

The global economic development is, to a great extent, dependent on access to large amounts of cheap energy sources. The growing social awareness of ecology and the enormous damage to the Earth’s ecosystem due to the production of energy from conventional sources have forced fundamental changes in the energy sector. Renewable energy is considered to be an opportunity for such changes. The current state of the art allows such changes to be made without restricting economic development. Therefore, activities related to the energy transition are being taken all over the world. The European Union has definitely managed to achieve the most tangible effects in this regard. This article presents the findings of the research aimed at presenting the current state of renewable energy in the European Union and analyzing the changes reported in this sector in the last decade. The research was carried out using a selected set of 11 indicators characterizing renewable energy in individual countries. These indicators were selected on the basis of literature review and own studies of the state of renewable energy and its development prospects. Based on these indicators, changes in the energy structure of individual European Union countries between 2008–2018 were determined. The study is divided into two main stages. The principal components analysis (PCA) was used for the first analysis. In turn, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was adopted to assess the level of renewable energy development in the European Union countries. Both these methods and the extended statistical analysis were applied to determine the state of renewable energy development in the European Union countries in the studied period and to divide the Member States into classes with different levels of development. The results of the study showed that the EU countries are characterized by significant differences in the development of RES during the period in question. The unquestionable leaders in this respect are Sweden, Austria, Finland, and Latvia. Based on the findings, it is possible to evaluate the effects of activities related to renewable energy development and to prepare assumptions for future activities. Additionally, both the research and its findings broaden the knowledge of the directions of renewable energy development in individual European Union countries. This is particularly important in the context of changes related to the need to reduce harmful substance emissions and the implementation of the European Green Deal idea.

scholarly journals Clean Energies for Ghana—An Empirical Study on the Level of Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy Development and Utilization

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3114
Author(s):  
Ephraim Bonah Agyekum ◽  
Ernest Baba Ali ◽  
Nallapaneni Manoj Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Social Acceptance ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
Willingness To Accept ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Renewable Energy Development ◽  
Development And Utilization ◽  
The Government ◽  
Strongly Agree ◽  
Public And Private Sector

Despite the enormous renewable energy (RE) resources available in Ghana, the country has not seen much development and investments in the sector. Therefore, the government has committed to increasing the share of RE in the country’s electricity generation mix to some 10% by 2030. However, this cannot be achieved without the Ghanaian people’s support since the RE sector is capital intensive and requires both public and private sector participation. This study was conducted to evaluate RE’s social acceptance among Ghanaian people using the ordered logit regression model. A total of 999 valid questionnaires out of 1020 distributed questionnaires were considered for the study. The five-point Likert scale was employed to rank their willingness to accept (WTA) RE. From the results, it was observed that there is a general sense of acceptance of renewable energy among Ghanaians. However, the level of acceptance varies from one respondent to another. The study observed that a majority of the respondents (i.e., approximately 45.65%) agree to their WTA renewable energy, while 36.04% strongly agree. The results also indicate that while 6.21% and 0.3% disagree and strongly disagree, 11.81% of the respondents were indifferent regarding their willingness to accept renewable energy development and utilization in Ghana.

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