Assessing Sustainability in Renewable Energy: Sources, Solutions and Metrics

Renewable energy sources are obtained naturally and have the capacity to surpass normal amounts of energy presently being used. These sources include solar, hydropower, wind, and biomass. The costs of generating electricity vary depending on the technology being applied; with wind energy having the lowest costs and photovoltaics being known to have the highest. Different techniques of renewable energy are faced by particular challenges, such as obstacles during the process of storing energy, and intermittent nature of energy production. Evaluating the sustainable aspect of renewable energy sources necessitates considering factors such as water usage, land usage, and social impacts. Wind energy is typically known as the most sustainable source of energy, with geothermal and hydropower energy being second. This article reviews the capabilities of renewable energy sources, and their significance in achieving sustainable development. It reviews the relevance of technological progress in rendering renewable energy sources cost effective and economically viable. The sources of energy discussed in this article include biomass, solar, wind, and hydropower; discussing their varying dimensions of competitiveness and progress made. In addition, this article contributes to the knowledge of parameters employed in assessing sustainability, including environmental and financial implications connected to different sources of energy. The contributions suggests that the most sustainable energy source is the wind power, followed by geothermal and hydropower. However, it notes that geographical variations may impact the rankings.