Elena Martin

Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels by using renewable energy has become a solution to combat and address climate change. As renewable energies gain ground and new technologies continue to advance, some doubts begin to arise, such as: How can we address the recycling of renewable energies?

A GREAT GREEN CHALLENGE, ADDRESSING THE RECYCLING OF RENEWABLES

The development and installation of renewable energy infrastructure involves the production of a variety of components, from solar panels and wind turbines to energy storage batteries. When these reach the end of their useful life it is necessary to recycle them. What are the main reasons?

1. It prevents large amounts of materials from ending up in landfills, reducing pollution as well as associated problems.
2. Recycling helps to preserve some scarce materials (metals and minerals) with which renewables are made.
3. The circular economy is encouraged, where materials are reused and recycled rather than discarded after a single use.

How can recycling some essential components of renewable energy be addressed?

Solar panels: Solar panel recycling processes can recover materials such as silicon, glass and aluminum for reuse in the manufacture of new panels or in other applications.

Wind turbines: The metal materials that compose them can be easily recycled, although recycling fiberglass blades is still a developing challenge.

Storage batteries: Storage batteries used in solar and wind systems often contain metals such as lithium and cobalt. Recycling these batteries is critical to recovering these valuable materials and reducing pollution.

As we can see, the recycling of renewable energies is essential, although there are technical and economic challenges that must be overcome. The lack of standards, regulations and the high cost of recycling can hinder the implementation of these practices. How can we address these challenges?

• With research and development.
• With regulations and norms.
• With education and awareness.

Recycling renewable energy is essential for a more sustainable and cleaner future.

Solar vehicles are those vehicles that are powered by solar energy, they use solar panels to capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity to power the electric motor that drives the vehicle.

THE ROLE OF SOLAR VEHICLES IN MOBILITY

These vehicles are a sustainable and environmentally friendly form of transport, as they emit no greenhouse gas emissions and make use of renewable energy sources.

To date, solar vehicles have experienced gradual and steady growth, although their presence on the roads is still limited compared to conventional vehicles. It should be noted that the development and uptake of solar vehicles may vary from country to country in Europe due to differences in infrastructure, climate and government policies.

As solar vehicles play an important role in sustainable mobility and have the potential to contribute significantly to the reduction of the carbon footprint in the transport sector, we can highlight the following key aspects:

• The electricity generated by the solar panels is stored in on-board batteries that are essential to store energy during sunlight hours and allow the vehicle to operate when sunlight is not available.
• These types of vehicles usually have an aerodynamic design optimised to reduce wind resistance and thus improve energy efficiency.
• Lightweight construction is essential to minimise energy consumption. Lightweight materials such as carbon and aluminium are used to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle.
• Energy management systems are essential to manage the electricity generated by the solar panels and its distribution to the battery and engine.
• In solar vehicles, energy storage is one of the biggest challenges. The batteries must be efficient and capable of storing energy enough to allow the vehicle to operate throughout the night or in low light conditions.

In conclusion, solar vehicles are an innovative form of transport that harnesses solar energy to operate in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. Efficiency, design and energy storage are key aspects for the performance and viability of these vehicles in various applications.

Want to know more? Access the Nara Solar news blog.

Renewable Energy Communities are an initiative that has become increasingly relevant in the field of energy and sustainability. They consist of groups of individuals, households, businesses or organisations that come together to jointly generate, share and manage renewable energy.

CHARACTERISTICS AND BENEFITS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY COMMUNITIES

The main purpose of energy communities is to provide environmental, economic and social benefits to their members and the environment in which they operate.

Energy communities are divided into two legal forms:

• Renewable energy communities: composed of natural or legal persons who associate to develop renewable energy projects, with the aim of obtaining economic, environmental or social benefits.
• Citizen energy communities: made up of individuals who join together to produce, consume and manage their own renewable energy.

Although both models have many points in common, in the case of renewable energy communities, the partners or members must be located in the vicinity of renewable installations.

Benefits of energy communities

RECs offer a number of significant benefits, both locally and globally. Some of these include the following:

• They generate clean energy from renewable sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Members of a REC can reduce their electricity bills by generating and consuming their own energy.
• By having local generation and in some cases energy storage systems, renewable energy communities are more resilient to disruptions in the conventional electricity grid.
• The implementation and maintenance of renewable energy projects in RECs can generate local jobs in installation, operation and maintenance.

The proliferation of RECs and renewable energy projects varies over time and is influenced by various factors, including changes in regulation, local investment and environmental awareness.

Ultimately, the success of Renewable Energy Communities depends on the active collaboration of their members, adequate infrastructure and the local regulatory framework.

The term “zero waste” refers to one of the principles that aims to reuse products so that they do not return to nature in the form of waste or rubbish.  The main objective is to minimise environmental impact and promote sustainability by adopting practices that avoid the generation of waste.

“ZERO WASTE” A WASTE-FREE LIFESTYLE

This term was coined by Paul Palmer, an environmentalist and sustainability advocate in 1990. Its creator believed in the feasibility of significantly reducing the amount of waste to landfill and promoted the idea of eliminating it.

It was in 2002 that the Zero Waste International Alliance was founded, which established the principles and standards of the movement, helping to define its key objectives and approaches.

The zero waste movement is based on 5 fundamental principles, also known as the 5 Rs:

1. Refuse what you don’t need, which involves making informed choices when buying products and avoiding products that generate a large volume of waste.
2. Reduce what is needed, achieved through conscious purchasing, planning of purchases and use of bulk products.
3. Reuse all types of materials, packaging and wrappings, which means finding new ways to make use of objects.
4. Recycle everything that cannot be rejected or reduced, ensuring that recycled materials are properly managed and turned into new products rather than wasted.
5. “Rot”/Decompose. Organic materials such as food waste are separated for composting instead of being discarded.

Some of the measures that have already been implemented following this movement have been, for example, the charging of plastic items in both shops and supermarkets to reduce their use, as they are among the most polluting items.

The zero waste movement has developed over time from the ideas and efforts of various people and movements concerned with environmental sustainability and conservation. By adopting these principles, individuals, communities and businesses can contribute to environmental conservation by reducing their waste footprint and promoting more sustainable practices in their lifestyles and in the production of goods and services.

So far this summer in Spain we have suffered a large number of fires, which have forced the eviction of hundreds and thousands of families and have had a significant environmental impact with serious effects on health.

RENEWABLES IN FIRE PREVENTION

According to reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), forest fires generate up to a third of the carbon emissions of global ecosystems, a phenomenon that intensifies climate change and aggravates its effects.

There are many causes behind forest fires and many factors that influence their spread, including climate change, the exodus from rural areas and poor urban management of forests, which is not designed to prevent or mitigate them.

One of the strongest solutions in the fight against climate change, as well as in the prevention of forest fires, is the use of renewable energies, as clean energy plants act as firebreaks preventing the spread of fires by being completely cleared of brush and stubble.

How can renewable energies contribute to fire prevention and mitigation?

• Through early warning and monitoring systems: Renewable energies, such as solar and wind, can power monitoring and early warning systems in fire-prone areas. These systems can include smoke detection cameras, temperature sensors and monitoring systems that can detect fires at an early stage, enabling a quick and efficient response.
• Supplying energy to rural areas: in this case, renewables can provide a reliable source of energy for weather stations, communication towers and other devices used in fire monitoring and detection.
• Using clean technologies in forest management: sustainable forest management can include the use of electric machinery and vehicles powered by renewable energy, thus reducing dependence on fossil fuels and emissions of polluting gases that could increase the risk of fires.

Renewables can play a key role in fire prevention and mitigation while promoting sustainability and environmental protection, minimising their negative impacts on CO2 emissions.

The term energy efficiency refers to the optimised and responsible use of energy to achieve a given level of production, services or comfort while minimising the consumption of energy resources.

HOW TO PROMOTE EFFICIENCY IN COMPANIES

Energy efficiency can be applied in a wide range of contexts, and on this occasion, we would like to highlight its importance in companies.

In the business context, it involves implementing measures and practices that improve the company’s productivity and competitiveness while reducing energy consumption and minimising environmental impact.

Promoting efficiency in companies requires a comprehensive approach ranging from organisational culture to the implementation of advanced technologies. What strategies can we implement to achieve this?

1. Awareness and training: educating and training employees on the importance of energy efficiency as this will make them more likely to make conscious decisions regarding energy use.
2. Energy audits: by conducting regular audits to identify areas of inefficiency in energy and resource use, opportunities for improvement can be identified and actions prioritised.
3. Investments in technology: by adopting advanced technologies, such as energy management systems or automation, we can optimise energy use in operational processes.
4. Responsible use of equipment and devices: by encouraging practices such as turning off lights and equipment when not in use or selecting equipment with energy efficiency certifications.
5. Internal and external collaboration: working with multidisciplinary teams and seeking partnerships with external organisations, such as energy consultants or government agencies, to gain additional insights and knowledge.

This not only has economic advantages in terms of reducing operating costs, but also has environmental benefits in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

As mentioned above, energy efficiency can be applied in many contexts, including the home. How can we be more energy efficient at home? Find out in the following article.

Renewable energies have a significant impact on society. Their adoption and expansion can restore ecosystems, reduce global warming and improve the quality of life.

THE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT OF RENEWABLES

Beyond the ability of renewables to generate clean energy, these energy sources are shaping the way we live, work and interact with our environment. There are a number of ways in which renewables are influencing society, of which we can highlight:

Reducing emissions and mitigating climate change: by replacing traditional fossil fuel-based energy sources such as coal and oil with clean sources such as solar, wind and hydropower, renewables help mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Fostering technological innovation: the expansion of renewables has spurred a wave of innovation in developing more efficient solar panels, energy storage systems and more effective energy solutions.

Cultural change and environmental awareness: renewables drive sustainable living and as society becomes more aware of the environmental impacts of energy production and consumption, an environmentally responsible mindset emerges.

Revalorisation of local resources: many communities can harness their natural resources to generate energy locally, leading to the revalorisation of local resources and greater self-determination.

Job creation and economic stimulus: the transition to a renewable energy future creates jobs in a variety of areas, from manufacturing and equipment installation to facility management and maintenance. This workforce contributes to the economic growth and well-being of these communities.

It can be said that renewables have a profound impact on society and there is no doubt that as we move forward, their continued adoption is essential to ensure a more sustainable and equitable future for generations to come.

In the fight against climate change, energy storage emerges as a key pillar, essential to ensure a reliable and flexible energy supply. As the sun sets and the wind shifts, renewable energy sources can diminish or stop altogether, and this is where energy storage comes into play.

INNOVATION AND ENERGY TRANSFORMATION

Energy storage plays a crucial role in overcoming one of the biggest challenges of renewable energies: intermittency. Among the different energy storage systems, batteries are one of the most widely used technologies due to their flexibility and adaptability to different applications and environments.

Energy storage systems based on lithium-ion batteries have proven to be leaders in the field of small and medium-scale energy storage, driving the popularity of electric vehicles and the integration of home storage systems.

Improvements in battery technology are a constant in the energy industry. Research and development are leading to innovative solutions, such as solid-state batteries. In addition, technologies such as thermal storage are gaining ground in industrial and large-scale applications.

Energy innovation and transformation is not only limited to energy storage in batteries but goes beyond that. On the one hand, green hydrogen is emerging as a versatile energy carrier and a form of long-term storage. And on the other hand, artificial intelligence and advanced data management also play a key role in the future of energy storage.

Energy storage presents some challenges among which we can highlight:

• Lack of specific regulation and clear standards.
• The high costs of storage technologies.
• The need to further improve energy efficiency.

In conclusion, energy storage is presented as a key factor in the transition, with the potential to improve energy quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

More information about renewable energies in the Nara Solar news section.

To combat the heat during the summer, many of us make use of air conditioning. The problem is that air conditioning can be our best friend to combat the high temperatures, but the worst friend for our pocket.

TIPS FOR REGULATING AIR AND SAVING ENERGY

Regulating the air conditioning is essential to achieve higher performance as well as significant energy savings.

The ideal air conditioning temperature to save energy should be between 24-26 degrees according to the Institute for the Diversification of Energy Saving (IDAE). Every additional degree you lower the temperature will increase energy consumption by 6-8%. However, it is not only important to maintain a stable temperature, but also to have an air conditioner with a high degree of efficiency (A+++).

When installing the air conditioner, it is important to avoid direct sunlight, as this can damage it and will require more energy to operate. Also, keep the filters clean and have a professional carry out a maintenance check at the times recommended by the manufacturer.

What other tips can we follow?

1. Use the energy-saving “eco” mode, which allows you to adjust the fan speed and temperature to maximise energy efficiency.
2. Set the timer to turn the equipment on and off as you need it.
3. Keep doors and windows closed, as well as having good insulation in the home. Proper sealing will help maintain the desired temperature and reduce air conditioning effort.
4. Use smart thermostats to adjust the temperature according to your preferences and usage patterns. In this way, settings can be optimised for more efficient energy use.

These tips may vary depending on the air conditioner model and specific environmental conditions. It is recommended, as far as possible, to activate air conditioners as little as possible and to support these systems with the use of fans.

Want to live a more sustainable life? Read the following article “Applications that help you live a more sustainable life”, available in the Nara Solar news section.