Page 1 of 3
European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 12, No. 1
Publication Date: February 25, 2024
DOI:10.14738/aivp.121.16201
Mitrovic, J. (2024). The Fate of Energy Arising from Renewable Sources. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 12(1). 96-98.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
The Fate of Energy Arising from Renewable Sources
Jovan Mitrovic
Stuttgart, Germany
ABSTRACT
Using the wind energy as example, this notice sheds some more light on the effects
of conversion of natural energy on the Earth's climate. This energy is mostly
converted into electric energy that may strongly affect the climate. Its final mode is
heat that is disposed as waste in the environment.
INTRODUCTION
The term "renewable energy" has become synonymous with sustainable energy conversion and
climate protection, encompassing various forms of energy deemed to be environmentally
friendly. However, a closer examination reveals a nuanced reality; while energy can undergo
transformation through certain processes, it is not inherently "renewed." Take, for instance, the
heat generated by the sun's rays on the Earth's surface: the energy is not renewed but rather
produced. This nuance prompts a critical evaluation of the terminology itself, suggesting that
the label "renewable energy" might be somewhat misleading.
If a process of energy transformation leads to irreversible changes of the energy carrier, with
persistent environmental outcomes – such as the combustion of the energy carrier – it
challenges the applicability of the term "renewable energy." In the context of Earth's climate,
Nikola Tesla (1857 – 1943) regarded all energy processes, involving the consumption of
matter, like the burning of coal, as barbaric. This underscores the need for a critical evaluation
of energy practices, highlighting the importance of sustainable and environmentally conscious
approaches to energy production and consumption. Tesla's viewpoint invites us to reconsider
our reliance on processes that contribute to irreversible environmental consequences.
POLITICAL DECISION
In a historic move, the Earth's climate underwent regulation through a ground-breaking
political decision, paving the way for the management, purchase, or sale of climate pollution
among nations. This decision marked a significant milestone by seeking to legitimize the
storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the environment. However, in this context it is crucial to
emphasize that the atmospheric composition is not solely shaped by CO2; other substances,
including water vapour (H2O), also contribute to its dynamics. Acknowledging the multifaceted
nature of atmospheric constituents is imperative for a comprehensive understanding of the
complexities involved in climate regulation and underscores the need for inclusive and
informed environmental policies.
CLOUDS OF WATER VAPOUR
Clouds of water vapour could cover certain areas of the Earth’s surface and diminish the radiant
heat emitted into the space. This would correspondingly increase the temperature of the
Page 2 of 3
97
Mitrovic, J. (2024). The Fate of Energy Arising from Renewable Sources. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 12(1). 96-98.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.121.16201
Earth's surface and of the adjacent layer of the atmospheric gas, allowing the Earth to release
more vapour that would be absorbed by the atmosphere. The interaction could be viewed as an
autocatalytic process, ultimately terminated by the supersaturation of moist air with vapour
and its strong condensation.
MATERIAL AND ENERGY FLOWS
Such processes are of central importance for an analysis of climatic conditions that includes the
material and energy flows in the Earth's atmosphere. These flows are influenced by the depth
of our penetration into the atmosphere. The latter is closely tied to the production of goods
which requires certain conversion of energy. The processes occur within our surroundings,
imposing a significant strain on it. As an example, I mention the generation of high-quality
electrical energy by wind turbines.
CONVERSION OF WIND ENERGY
In this example, electrical energy is derived by converting the mechanical wind energy; it is
then transmitted to consumers, where it is commonly converted into work and heat. The work
is mostly dissipated as heat (see e.g., Robert Boyle (1627 – 1691) experiments 1675). Taking
into account also the transport resistances, the wind energy is completely converted in heat,
which is released into the environment.
By this example several questions arise, including: How can we reduce the temperature
increase of the environment when the production of goods drives energy demand and
subsequently the temperature rise? The simplest answer is straightforward: the energy flows
must be limited.
As long as we are unwilling to restrict the production of goods, the demand for energy will
continue to rise, leading to a higher environmental temperature. This example illustrates that
wind energy, in its original form, is largely climate-friendly. However, once converted into
electrical energy at the wind turbines, it can have a significant impact on the climate.
OTHER ENERGIES
Similar conditions are also observed with other energy sources, such as hydro energy. Both
hydro and aero energies originate from natural sources and have a low impact on the
environment without human intervention. The conversion of nuclear energy also generates
heat, which is released into the environment. The only exception in this context is the solar
energy. Solar radiation, that is not reflected into the space, is partially absorbed at the Earth's
surface without human assistance and converted directly or indirectly into heat. Therefore,
whether the solar radiation is first converted into electrical energy and then dissipated as heat
and absorbed by the environment is irrelevant.
CONCLUSION
Addressing the environmental impact of goods production and its associated energy demand
requires a multifaceted approach that involves technological, policy, and behavioural changes.
Limiting energy flows by adopting energy-efficient practices and transitioning to cleaner
energy sources is one possibility in mitigating the temperature increase associated with
human’s activities. Most probably this possibility alone cannot provide a satisfying solution
Page 3 of 3
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom 98
European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 12, Issue 1, February-2024
against the increase of the environment temperature. The conclusion is obvious, because the
energy emitted by various sources is transformed into heat as its final form that has our
environment as its mutual sink.
Offshore wind energy:
https://www.google.com/search?q=Windenergie+Nordsee&&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjev
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author acknowledges the comments by Professor Spaso Mitrovic on earlier draft of the
paper.
J. Mitrovic
Stuttgart, Dec 28, 2023