The Challenges of Renewable Energy: Energy On-Demand a Major Challenge of Renewable Energy Source Going into the Green Energy Future

School of Science and Technology
MSc Dissertation
The Challenges of Renewable Energy.
Odukale Owoyinka James N0767938
7th September 2018

Energy On-Demand a Major Challenge of Renewable Energy
Source Going into the Green Energy Future.
ABSTRACT

This paper is focused to demonstrate the significance of the promotion of the renewable
energy sources for a sustainable future. The focus of this project is on the identification of the
major challenges and constraints to access renewable energy. In this regard, this project has
explained why the world has to stop its reliance on fossil fuel and what are the major
challenges and constraints those are encountered around the world to access renewable
energy. Further, this research has analysed the role of using renewable energy sources in the
reduction of the carbon emissions and how can the local population be oriented to use the
renewable energy resources. This research has identified that carbon emission and other
adverse outcomes produced by non-renewable energy resources are the prime reason, for
which, it is mandatory to stop reliance on fossil fuels. The review of the literature regarding
the limitations of the use of renewable energy sources has shown that reliability, on-demand
supply, capital structure, and storage are the main issues limiting the use of renewable
energy. For this purpose, the use of advanced storage facilities is effective to store this energy
to meet energy demands at the time of need. For actively involving people in the
sustainability and use of renewable energy, strategies based on education and awareness are
required. However, renewable energy projects are still constrained because of the high initial
cost required for these projects. Further research studies are required on the effectiveness of
renewable homes and educational intervention to increase awareness of people and decrease
reliance on fossil fuels.

DEDICATION
This MSc project is dedicated to God Almighty the giver of life, who has made it possible for
me to be alive to see this day which marks the completion of my MSc program and also to
everyone who lost their lives to the exploration of fossil fuel in my home country Nigeria and
everywhere around the world.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This dissertation was only made possible with the help and support of several people, and I
would like to dedicate this space to express my profound gratitude to them. Starting with my
supervisor, his help has been invaluable to me throughout the course of my studies and
especially in the preparation of this study. He guided me at every stage and every obstacle
that I encountered in my research. This dissertation would also be incomplete without an
expression of gratitude for my family and friends, whose constant support, motivation, and
encouragement guided me to apply my efforts and hard work in this research. I remain
extremely grateful to these people for all the various ways they have aided me throughout
life.

DECLARATION OF AUTHORSHIP
I hereby certify that the thesis I am submitting is entirely my own original work except
where otherwise indicated. I am aware of the University's regulations concerning plagiarism,
including those regulations concerning disciplinary actions that may result from plagiarism.
Any use of the works of any other author, in any form, is properly acknowledged at their
point of use.
Student’s Signature: Owoyinka
Name (in capitals): OWOYINKA JAMES ODUKALE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE I.
ABSTRACT PAGE III
DEDICATION IV
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS V.
DECLARATION OF AUTHORSHIP VI.
CONTENTS PAGES VII.
1.0 CHAPTER 1: SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
1.1 Problem Definition..........................................
1.2 Addressing Research Problem...........................
1.3 Methodology ................................................
1.4 Research Objectives .....................................................................
2.0 CHAPTER 2: ENERGY GENERATION AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO STOP
RELIANCE ON NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY
2.1 Introduction to Energy......................................................
2.2 Brief History of Energy Generation.......................................
2.3 Non-Renewable Energy...................................................
2.4 Types of Non-Renewable Energy...................................................
2.5 Total World Energy Capacity form Fossil Fuels........................
2.6 Global Fossil Fuel Consumption..........................................
2.7 Types of Renewable Energy.........................................................
2.7.1 Hydropower Energy.........................................................
2.7.2 Geothermal Energy......................................................

2.7.3 Solar Energy.........................................................
2.7.4 Wind Energy.............................................................
2.7.5 Biomass Energy..............................................
2.8 Summary................................................................
3.0 CHAPTER 3: RENEWABLE ENERGY
3.1 Renewable Energy.........................................................
3.2 Solar Energy [Germany]...................................................
3.3 Hydroelectric Energy [United State] .....................................
3.4 Wind Energy [United Kingdom] ........................................
3.5 Tidal Energy [South Korea] ..............................................
3.6 Biomass Energy [Kenya].............................................
3.7 Geothermal [Philippines]............................................................
3.8 Summary...............................................................
4.0 CHAPTER 4: CHALLENGES AND LIMITATIONS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
4.1 Capital Cost................................................................
4.2 Political and Regulatory Barriers ........................................
4.3 Technical Barriers..........................................................
4.4 Social-Cultural Barriers...................................................
4.5 Difficulties to Generate Large Quantities of Electricity........................
4.6 Storage of Electricity......................................................
4.7 Reliability and Demand................................................
4.8 Weather Condition...................................................
4.9 Impact of Hydroelectric Power Plant on Weather..................
4.10 Summary.............................................................