Clean energy is power generated from sources that produce zero or very low greenhouse gas emissions during operation. Its adoption is fundamental to combating climate change by replacing fossil fuels and driving the global transition towards a decarbonized economy.
Clean energy refers to electricity and heat generated from sources that release minimal to no greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide (CO 2), into the atmosphere. It stands as a cornerstone of the global strategy to combat climate change and achieve decarbonization goals. This transition is vital for governments, industries, and investors aiming to build a sustainable, low-carbon economy, as policies like carbon pricing directly incentivize the shift away from polluting energy sources.
The primary categories of clean energy include a range of technologies, each with unique characteristics:
- Renewable Energy Sources: These are sources that are naturally replenished. They are the most well-known form of clean energy and include:
- Solar Power: Converts sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) panels.
- Wind Power: Uses turbines to capture kinetic energy from the wind.
- Hydropower: Generates electricity from the flow of water, typically by damming rivers.
- Geothermal Energy: Taps into the Earth's internal heat to produce steam that drives turbines.
- Other Low-Carbon Sources: This category includes power sources that are not renewable but still have a very low carbon footprint during generation:
- Nuclear Energy: Generates power through nuclear fission, a process that produces no CO 2. While it is a clean source, the finite nature of uranium means it is not renewable.
- Fossil Fuels with Carbon Capture: In some cases, energy generated from natural gas or coal can be considered "cleaner" if it is paired with Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technology that prevents CO 2 from being released into the atmosphere.
Concrete Examples
- Utility-Scale Decarbonization: An energy company decommissions a coal-fired power plant and replaces it with a large-scale offshore wind farm. This project provides clean electricity to thousands of households, drastically cutting the region's carbon footprint and helping the utility provider comply with emissions limits set by systems like the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).
- Corporate Sustainability Strategy: A manufacturing firm installs solar panels across its factory rooftops to power its operations. By generating its own clean energy, the company lowers its electricity bills, reduces its exposure to volatile energy prices, and improves its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) rating, making it more attractive to impact investors.
External Resource: For a comprehensive overview, see the International Energy Agency (IEA) page on Clean Energy Transitions.