REPUBLIC OF BENIN

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UNIVERSITY OF ABOMEY-CALAVI

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TBC-AFRICA-USA

GENERAL PRESENTATION OF MODULE COMPLETION

MODULE : I

TOPIC : RENEWABLE ENERGY

Presented by
Chris Ange-Marie DANEKE
Under the supervision of
Daniel A. KPATINVOH

DECEMBER 2019
 Content

Introduction

1- Definition and origin of renewable energy.

2- The different types of renewable energy.
3- Some applications of renewable energy in everyday life.
4- Benefits of renewable energy.
5- Renewable energy constraints and limits.

Conclusion

References
 Introduction

Man has developed more and more technologies over time (cars, trains,
individual heating, factories ...), for all these innovations it takes energy to make
them work. The energy used comes mainly from nature, either as a fossil energy
(oil, coal, gas, coal), or as a renewable energy (electricity from water, sun,
wind...). This end-of-training report will focus on so-called renewable energy. We
will make a brief registration through some of their applications in everyday life
and we will present its advantages as well as its constraints and limitations.
 1- Definition and origin of renewable energy
• Definition:

Renewable energy (EnR in short) is a natural lying source whose natural renewal
is rapid enough that it can be considered inexhaustible on a human time scale.
They come from natural cyclical or constant phenomena induced by the stars: The
Sun mainly for the heat and light it generates, but also the attraction of the Moon
(tides) and the heat generated by the Earth (geothermal). Their renewable nature
depends on the speed at which the source is consumed, and on the speed at which
it is renewed.

• Origin:

Renewable energy comes from two major natural sources: The Sun (the origin of
the cycle of water, tides, wind and plant growth) and the Earth (which releases
heat). The term "renewable energy" is the short and usual form of the terms
"renewable energy sources" or "renewable energy" that are more correct from a
physical point of view.

2- Different types of renewable energy

• Solar energy:

Sunlight contains energy in the form of electromagnetic waves. Usually, when

light hits an object, energy turns into heat, like the heat felt while sitting in the
sun. But when light hits certain materials, such as silicon, the energy turns into an
electric current instead, which can then be harnessed for power.
 • Hydroelectric power:

Hydroelectric plants use water that falls from a dam to run a generator's turbine.
The generator then generateselectricity.
 • Geothermal energy:

At the bottom of the Earth is hot water and steam that can be used to heat homes
and businesses and generate electricity cleanly and efficiently. The steam is used
to drive the turbines of a generator and the generator generates electricity.

• Wind energy:

The energy of the wind is transferred to the turbines of a generator and it is

responsible for generating electricity. Wind turbines use the momentum of
moving air to quietly rotate large blades that are attached to the tree of an efficient
electric generator.
 • Energy biomassique:

Biomass is generally considered a scumbag. It includes materials degradable by

fermentation or combustion such as leaves, tree branches, crop scraps, wood chips
and bark. It may even include animal manure and old tires. Before being used,
biomass undergoes transformations as appropriate. It is then converted into either
gas for the kitchen, bio diesel to replace fuel or electricity for electrical appliances.

Advances in science make it possible to discover new forms of renewable

energy on a day-to-day basis, such as tidal energy, wave energy, hydroline
energy, osmotic energy, thermal energy from the seas, etc.

3- Some applications of renewable energy in everyday life.

• Solar energy applications:

The photovoltaic field uses solar energy to access heat. The solar panel is a device
that converts some of the solar radiation into thermal or electrical energy, using
solar thermal or photovoltaic sensors respectively.

Example: solar water heater, solar lamp and torch, solar radio or calculator.
 • Applications of bio-mass energy:

Biomass according to its particularity undergoes various transformations.

Fermented, it is used to cook through the production of gas through production
units called digesters. When it is burned, it can be used in the manufacture of
biocoal. Coupled with a generator, it generates electricity.

• Applications of geothermal energy:

A common example of the use of geothermal energy is when we wash clothes, we

notice that those spread out on the ground dry much faster than those spread on a
rope. We also have hot springs which are direct applications of geothermal.

4- Benefits of renewable energy

Renewable energy is a source of security in the economic, social and
environmental fields.

Clean and therefore environmentally friendly and low-polluting energy: all those
who care about the environment know that this type of energy is the most
important thing to focus on a daily basis, since it does not degrade, if at all, the
nature in which we operate. They are free because they come from our
environment. Before taking advantage of it, however, there must be a few costs
for installing the system to operate them. Once the system is in place and
operational, you will no longer have to pay the electricity and heating bill. The
sun, air, water and geothermal energy exist in infinite quantities in the
environment. This means that once the operating system is in place, you will be
able to benefit from it over several years, or even indefinitely provided you
maintain the equipment regularly. As far as biomass is concerned, it is also
considered a renewable energy. But beware, the amount of organic matter may be
limited if not renewed. So, every time you cut wood, consider planting more to
keep the cycle balanced. These are essentially low-polluting energy because they
are recyclable, produce only a very small amount of CO2 and radioactive waste.

5- Renewable energy constraints and limits

Despite the many advantages they bring, renewable energy also has some flaws
not to beoverlooked.

They are dependent on the whims of nature: on a cloudy day, solar energy
decreases in performance. Due to lack of wind, wind energy also loses
performance, etc. Their installation cost is quite high: to optimize their
performance, renewable energies require efficient operating equipment that can
be quite expensive. Of course, this is an investment, but profitability can take a
few years to arrive.
Moreover, Biomass energy is not unlimited therefore is not suitable for intensive
exploitation. In the long term, it can lead to significant deforestation and
degradation of biodiversity.

Hydroelectric dams, on the other hand, have a negative impact on wildlife because
they alter their natural ecosystem.
 Conclusion

The use of renewable energy would meet the energy needs of the current
population, but also the needs of future generations. Indeed, these energies are
renewable and their greater use will better ensure the sustainability of Earth's
resources and fossil fuels for generations of tomorrow. It will also prevent the
depletion of natural resources with the necessary conditions for sustainable
development. Sustainable development also allows the preservation of the general
balance, the value of the natural heritage. Renewable energy responds perfectly
to this requirement, as they are clean, non-polluting and non-greenhouse gas-
producing energy sources. It should therefore be pointed out that by generating
electricity through renewable energy, the share of electricity produced by
traditional power plants is reduced, leading directly to the production of less
radioactive waste to be managed by generations to come.
 References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy

http://www.cm2dolomieu.fr/energies-renouvelables/index.html

Renewable and non renewable energy, ENERGY EDUCATION