Renewable energy the way forward

This paper outlines the growing need of energy in the developing countries and Athe acute population growth, which will exceed 10 billion by the year 2050. It Adescribes the achievement and progress made in geothermal, hydro-power, biomass Aconversion, solar thermal technology, wind energy conversion and the ever Aincreasing usage of photovoltaics. The paper also addresses the barriers and Aproblems which face renewable energy users and producers. It is evident now Athat global warming is setting in and is going to change the climate as well as Athe terrain of many countries unless drastic measures are taken. The recent AKyoto meeting emphasised the importance of limiting CO2 emissions and to abide Aby some form of agreement to reduce emissions. Countries such as India, China and Indonesia, which represent nearly half the Aworldʹs population, are actively involved in using renewable energy as the only Ameans of sustaining their energy growth. It concludes that renewable energy Apenetration into the energy market is much faster than was expected a few years Aago and by the year 2020, 10-15% of our prime energy will be met by renewable Aenergy. (c) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.