In this episode of the Roots Run Deep podcast the topic of conversation is on renewable energy sources. Our hosts go over some of the different kinds of renewable energy sources that exist, and what qualifies them as renewable. Also addressed are the different barriers to renewable energies and the complexity of how the current infrastructure leaves many gaps to be filled to make them equitable and efficient for all.
Renewable energy is defined as “coming from unlimited, naturally replenished resources, such as the sun, tides, and wind. Renewable energy can be used for electricity generation, space and water heating and cooling, and transportation. Non-renewable energy, in contrast, comes from finite sources, such as coal, natural gas, and oil.”
Renewable energy can come from multiple sources. The ones we focus on in this episode are wind, solar, hydropower, and geothermal. While these are the more common and well-established energy sources there are also other considerations for somewhat controversial ‘renewable’ energies. These include things like biomass and hydrogen energy. The controversial nature of hydrogen and biomass energy in regards to sustainability and being renewable, has to do with the production cycle. Starting with how these source technologies are produced can lead to a more complicated answer when asking, how sustainable is the energy source? In regards to wind, solar, and hydropower, they are more widely accepted as renewable energy because they come from natural resources and do not generally release greenhouse gas emissions.
For each of the following examples, you can find links in the respective sections to get brief overviews of how they work.
Solar Energy
Solar Energy is generated by using solar panels that absorb the sun’s rays and converts the heat into electricity.
Wind Energy
Wind powered energy comes typically from wind turbines (windmills).* They can commonly be spotted all over California in counties like Riverside, Kern, and Alameda.
https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/explore-wind-turbine
Hydropower
Hydropower is similar to wind energy, in that it produces electricity by using running water to turn a turbine that then powers a generator.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal Energy is also similar to wind and hydropower in that it also uses turbines, in this method they are powered by steam that is created when heat from the Earth’s core heats up water that is below the ground.
After learning more about renewable energy, it may seem like there are no negative consequences. However, as we dig deeper into the topic we begin to notice some common threads that create barriers and put into question the approach that has been taken in regards to these renewable energy sources. One of the main issues is equity in who gets the benefits from these renewables. Oftentimes these resources are costly not only in terms of installation, but also in maintenance.
The example of solar is relevant to California, as it is one of the fastest growing renewable energy sources in the state. This is propelled by the fact that solar power is a convenient option for individuals and families as it can be implemented on a residential level, by installing panels on the roofs of people’s homes. The issue with this is that generally, the price of solar panels can be quite costly. These big financial costs mean that many are not able to front the cash to finance or outright purchase solar panels and their installation fees. California has also recently made changes to their many incentives, reducing the already small pool from which one could get financial assistance for such investments.* These programs often involved tax credits or rebates that alleviated high costs, and even with those there were still obstacles. One of the biggest being that most of those incentives could only be utilized by homeowners, leaving renters to rely on landlords to make upgrades to their unit’s energy infrastructure.
Land usage for renewable energy resources is another complication that has not thoroughly been considered on a systemic level. Thinking in terms of a Just Transition, we hope that the push away from fossil fuels would also come with the goal of not repeating past mistakes. Unfortunately, it is common that these sites or ‘farms’ for these renewable technologies have been built on stolen land. This is sometimes the case for even the most sustainable and renewable sources such as wind and solar power.* This highlights the gaps in equity that both renewable and non-renewable energy sources struggle to fill. Nuclear power plants have historically been criticized for their reliance on uranium mining, an element needed to be able to make the reactors from which its energy is produced. Uranium is a finite resource and is primarily why nuclear energy is not considered renewable. Indigenous people have long protested and fought to keep these energy companies from stealing their sacred lands to stop them from extracting and depleting the land’s natural resources.*
The previous examples emphasize that as we continue to move to cleaner energies and cut our dependence on fossil fuels, we must simultaneously advocate for the proper and just treatment of all people. From the whole life cycle of these projects, we hope that better solutions that are truly renewable will not harm any people or the planet in the process.
*For the full discussion please listen to the Roots Run Deep podcast on the Urban Tilth Youtube channel or Spotify! (links below in order of appearance):
* https://www.energy.gov/eere/renewable-energy
*https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/wind-energy-basics
*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmYo_ZbH2Ms
*https://grist.org/equity/tribes-need-more-than-money-to-go-green-they-need-just-transition/
*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcPsy8734Vg
Additional Links:
https://www.acgov.org/cda/planning/landuseprojects/windturbineproject.htm
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/18/us/texas-grid-renewables-battery-storage-solar.html
Past Broadcasts: