Myths
and
Facts:
renewable energy sources
Façade thermal solar panels
Renewable energy is a
frequently debated topic.
In recent years, renewables
have fought for a place
within the energy mix next
to coal, oil, gas and nuclear
power. Climate change is
forcing people to look
differently about the types
of energy we use. Increasingly more and more people
are taking control of their
energy and economy.
A growing number of
communities are more
independent and decreasing
their impact on the climate
and environment.
This paper looks at the basics and
development of renewable sources of
energy and their place within EU policy.
It discusses the myths, benefits, and risks
associated with renewable energy sources.
What are
renewable sources
of energy and
how are
they used?
Different sources of renewable energy are
tion. If its use does not respect the ability
∆ Water: Electricity produced by using
used for the production of heat and electricity
of forests and land to renew itself, biomass
water flow either in small or large hydro-
can lead to severe damages on environment.
electric power plants. Coastal countries are
∆ Solar: Energy derived from the sun
Similarly, the impacts of biomass on climate now testing systems using surf energy.
can be used in three basic ways:
change are dependent on the way it is used.
passive: suitable building architecture can
∆ Wind: The production of electricity by
is collected by drilling deep into the earth,
utilize the sun’s radiation for heating. This
wind-driven turbines is used mainly in
so that hot water is brought to the surface.
method is closely connected to energy sav-
coastal areas and lowlands of northwest and
Depending on its temperature, the energy is
ings.
northern Europe. 28% of Denmark’s energy
used either for heating or the production of
solar collectors and other facilities: with suf-
comes from wind.
electricity.
∆ Geothermal energy: Geothermal eat
ficient radiation intensity, like in southern
Europe, mirrors can be used to concentrate
radiation to produce steam that drives
turbines to create electricity.
electricity from photovoltaic cells: converting
radiation directly to electricity using
semiconductors, mostly made from
silicon.
∆ Biomass: Energy from
burning plants, animal
waste, biogas, or vegetable oil fuels is
not renewable by
defini-
Photovoltaic panel installation on a single family house Hostětín, Czech republic
Myths
about
renewables
∆ Renewables are unpredictable
fluctuations caused by weather or time of
because they depend on the weather.
day. This method of energy production dif-
Every source of energy has its limitations.
fers from what we are used to and requires
Solar and wind energy depend on weather,
a change of perspective about how we man-
hydropower requires sufficient water in a
age energy.
reservoir or a strong flow in a river. Energy
produced from biomass needs a continuous
∆ Energy is expensive and depend-
supply of fuel, similar to energy generated
ent on subsidies. The most sensitive
from coal, oil, gas or uranium.
arguments are used to create a bad image
However the strength of renewable sources
for renewables, especially that renewa-
∆ Renewable sources of energy
of energy does not lie in the possibility to
bles receive unfair subsidies from public
alone do not have sufficient
produce large amounts of energy in one
sources. While this is tryue for renewables,
potential to cover global energy
place as is the case with fossil fuels or nu-
the amount of such subsidies are trivial in
consumption The EU has the potential
clear power plants.
comparison to those received by fossil fuels
and nuclear energy. In 2009, subsidies to
to generate 5700 TWh of electric energy
each year. This is about the same as 950 such
∆ A solar or wind power plant
fossil energy from public sources amounted
nuclear power plants, which could eas-
cannot replace a coal power
to EUR 274 billion. On average, EU Member
ily cover the EU’s current consumption of
plant, and if you replace it with a
States spend EUR 548 to subsidise energy
about 4000 TWh a year. But trying to find
wood power plant, soon no trees
for each European, money that is not part of
sources to cover current consumption is not
will be left. Renewables are the best
the energy bill. This does not even take into
the right approach. Energy use these days is
source of energy when tailored to the needs
account the support of nuclear energy.
an enormous waste, with large amounts of
of a specific place and when they comple-
Energy prices are so distorted by different
energy lost without benefit. We should not
ment one another. Modern technology can
forms of subsidies that it is nearly impos-
ask about the potential of energy then, but
easily replace one large power plant with
sible to tell which sources are expensive and
rather discuss the ways to save use energy
a network of smaller ones and balance the
which are cheap.
more efficiently.
Power plant using geothermal water in Iceland
The benefits of renewable energy sources
In 2010, only 71.5 percent of energy
produced in the EU was used by the end
consumer. 23.5 percent of this energy was
∆ The biggest advantage of renewable energy sources is that
lost, with 5 percent used by the energy
when used properly they can renew themselves,
sector itself. Failure of one large power plant
in contrast to fossil fuels and uranium whose
can cause damage to energy systems, but
reserves are quickly disappearing.
when such failures occur in a system based
on a large number of smaller power plants,
∆ Renewable sources of energy produce
the damage is not as sever. In this way de-
less greenhouse gas emissions.
centralised power generation is more stable.
∆ Renewable sources of energy
∆ Renewable energy sources can be
can be used to develop decentralised
used on the local level very
power systems. Our current energy
efficiently, decreasing
system is based on large power plants
dependency on imported sources.
and has proved inefficient. Power
The EU depends on imported fossil fuels,
plants consume lots of
which cover as much as 76 percent of its
energy, with more energy
consumption. These sources are not under
lost during transmission.
the control of the EU and increase its dependency on foreign companies.
∆ With renewable sources of
energy, people can take control of
their energy supply and support the
independence of communities and
Wind turbines – photo: SXC
regions. More than half of Germany’s
What renewables
does the EU support?
energy is produced from renewable sources
∆ Impacts on nature, the country-
of energy and owned by people, not compa-
side and people Using renewables on a
nies. Villages and towns establish coopera-
large-scale may have negative impacts on
tives and local enterprises to create local
the environment. Large dams change the
jobs. People actively decide on energy and
life of a river and its surroundings, affect-
The EU has a goal to consume 20 per cent of
can directly influence their energy or heat-
ing the amount and quality of ground water
its energy from renewable sources by 2020.
ing bills and decrease their costs of living.
and in some cases requires relocating entire
Billions of euros from public sources will be
villages. Wind turbines can spoil the ap-
used to support the development of renewa-
pearance of landscape and endanger birds
bles. Money from the EU funds, European
if located in the wrong places. Excessive
Investment Bank and the European Bank for
logging endangers forests. It is necessary to
Reconstruction and Development are more
The risks of renewable
sources of energy
define conditions for the sustainable use of
frequently directed into such sectors.
∆ Unsustainable management of
renewable sources of energy. Management
However EU energy policy remains focused
soil and forests Renewable sources
of arable land, forests, and rivers must have
on providing stable supplies of conven-
of energy are at times not properly used. If
clear rules to prevent their destruction.
tional energy sources, mostly originating
wood or corn is burnt like coal in large in-
Land use must be clearly defined and any
outside of the EU. The EU presses for new
cinerators, then this leads to great damages.
change must be closely evaluated.
gas and oil pipelines and in so doing is
Food from farming is pushed aside in favour
draining resources from poorer countries.
of corn for incineration or rapeseed for
The EU also has committed to decreasing
the production of biofuels. Solar and wind
greenhouse gas emissions and developing
power plants require a lot of space and take
the use of renewables. At the same time, the
up land that has quality soil. Often these
EU invests billions into building new coal or
plants are green field sites, even though
gas power plants and related infrastructure.
there are unused roofs and other places that
This postpones a necessary shift towards
could serve such the location for such power
clean power based on the efficient use of
plants.
renewable sources of energy.
This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the European
Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Counter Balance and
can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.
Wood-chip storage in Čierny Balog, Slovakia – photo Friends of the Eart-CEPA