The phrase ‘sustainable energy’ is used a lot, but what does it mean? In short, anything that uses renewable and environmentally friendly energy falls under the term sustainable energy. Projects that promote these solutions can include solar farms, wind turbines, hydroelectric plants and bioenergy. We’ll expand on these below and explain their social impact.
Examples of sustainable energy projects
Starting with solar farms, these are a specific area of land in which solar panels or photovoltaic systems are installed to capture solar radiation and convert it into renewable energy. One example is in Oxfordshire, the site of the UK’s biggest solar farm, which can power up to 14,000 homes. Impressively, the US is home to the Edwards & Sanborn Solar and Energy Storage project, which is also the world’s largest battery storage system.
Solar farms and other sources of renewable energy aren’t limited to the Western world. Business Leader Ehsan Bayat cites Saudia Arabia as playing a crucial role with its involvement in $18bn worth of sustainable energy projects. Bayat’s decades of experience and charitable work have helped to improve energy development in Afghanistan.
A hydroelectric plant is another important project for producing sustainable energy. The function function of this plant is to store river water in a reservoir. The process of producing electricity involves the water passing through a turbine and being spun.
Wind turbines can also be used for creating energy – this time by converting wind energy. One example of a wind turbine is the Gansu Wind Farm in China. This country alone has thousands of wind turbines. The world is starting to see the importance of finding natural and sustainable ways to provide energy.
Along with other projects such as geothermal energy and bioenergy, all of these can make a real difference to the way that we source our energy and help to protect the planet. Geothermal projects use heat from the Earth’s interior to generate electricity, while bioenergy uses organic materials (biomass) to achieve the same outcome. This includes biogas plants and biomass power stations, such as the Drax power station in the UK.
Creating local jobs
Besides the environmental benefits, one positive impact of these sustainable energy projects is job creation for local people. In turn, this contributes to economic development and reduces the cost of unemployment.
These jobs can be a combination of skilled and unskilled, with some offering training to help people get ahead in today’s environmentally conscious world. For example, construction jobs can involve building solar farms, wind turbines and hydroelectric plants. Gaining experience in this industry also prepares workers to take on other building projects in the future.
However, completion doesn’t mean that local workers won’t still be needed. Once these facilities become operational, they will still require ongoing maintenance, monitoring and management, which will provide more long-term employment opportunities for the local community. There can also be a demand for manufacturing workers to be involved in producing solar panels, wind turbine parts and other components that these projects need to function.
Energy independence in developing nations
Energy independence means not having to rely on outside sources to meet the demand for energy. This can reduce or even eliminate a population’s reliance on imports. This is becoming more common in developing nations.
As well as the benefits to the planet and local environment that come with sustainable energy, there is often a decrease in cost. This is particularly beneficial in poverty-stricken communities. Likewise, all around the world, more people are struggling financially and could benefit from lower energy prices.
Investments in local renewable energy projects keep the money within that country and increase business growth and development locally. Over time, this improves the overall wealth of the population and raises their standard of living.
How social media and philanthropy help
Social media campaigns and charities play a significant part in promoting sustainable energy projects.
Firstly, they raise awareness of campaigns and educate the public on the benefits of renewable energy. Before social media, and without the influence of someone with a large following, it was more challenging to spread this information. Today, a simple post or article can be shared thousands of times and sway public opinion and policy decisions.
Social media and well-known, respected philanthropists can also draw attention to successful projects and their benefits. This attracts public support and private investments and inspires other communities and nations to adopt these approaches.
Philanthropic organizations can also help financially by funding research, pilot projects and community initiatives. Often, poorer countries can have a vision for sustainable energy projects but need help to overcome the financial barriers.
Sustainable energy projects are vital
If we want a continued supply of energy without damaging the planet for future generations, sustainable energy projects are essential. The money they save, job creation, economic development and energy independence are extra benefits that should encourage more people to pursue these projects. Social media and philanthropists are an essential part of the process, raising awareness, gaining support and securing funding so that more people can benefit from these initiatives.
