Page 8 - Environmental_Green Technologies

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- Ocean – Ocean energy is the world’s largest untapped source of energy. The ocean can produce
thermal energy from the differences in temperature and salinity; and the mechanical energy that exploits
the power from tides and waves. On the one hand, energy is created by the sun’s heat that warms the
surface water more than the deep ocean water; the differentiation of water’s temperature creates the
thermal energy. On the other hand, the ocean’s mechanical energy, tides and waves movements, the tides
are driven by the gravitation pull of the moon and the waves, driven by the winds. The ocean thermal
energy is constant, while tides and waves are considered intermittent sources of energy. The tidal energy is
converted into electricity by using a barrage (dam), by forcing the water through turbines that activate
a generator (Renewable Energy World, 2019).

In Europe, it is planned to deploy 100GW of production capacity of ocean energy by 2050, which means
that this energy will be able to cover 10% of our electricity demand. European’s companies are leaders in
ocean energy with 66% of tidal energy patents and 44% of wave energy patents (Ocean Energy Europe,
2019).

- Solar – Solar power is the energy generated and harnessed directly from the sun. A renewable energy
source with an inexhaustible supply and non-polluting, being the cleanest one. The solar energy is
captured in different ways, solar heating and cooling, concentrating solar power and the photovoltaic solar
panels that convert the rays into usable electricity. Photovoltaic (PV) panels convert sunlight directly into
electricity, being one of the fastest growing technologies nowadays.

Solar panels installation is divided in three main groups: utility, commercial and residential.
Residential-scale solar panel is installed usually on rooftops; commercial solar energy plants are installed
at a greater scale with the aim to provide electricity to businesses and non-profits; and utility-scale solar
energy plants are large and provide solar energy to a larger group of utility customers (Ashok, 2020)