Elucidation of the Impact of Renewable Energy Power Plants on the Environment

Abstract

Rapid expansion of renewable energy production can be directly attributed to two factors: The exponential growth of the world's population, and the shrinking supply of fossil fuels. Similarly, impact of greenhouse gas emission is at the forefront from such attributes. As a result, indulge in study aiming at decarbonizing the energy sectors and electrical power plants particularly that are based on renewable energy sources (RES). RES are generally regarded as a clean and environmentally friendly, beside significant number of studies concluded that its expansion has a detrimental effect in preserving natural world. This article provides a comprehensive study on the impacts of renewable energy sources (RES) on the preservation of the natural world and the environment. The research offers an in-depth analysis taking cognizant of the RES that are in use today. To gain a better understanding of the problem, a literature survey on the relevant government and non-profit organizations, were conducted to perform comparative environmental impact analyses and discussions for a variety of attributes on currently operational RES-based.  Similarly, impact on human health, noise, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, the depletion of the ozone layer, toxification, flooding, eutrophication, dried-up rivers, and deforestation was equally attributed as the potential impact recorded. According to the analysis, the impact was manifested in the form of environmental pollution, the loss of biodiversity, the fragmentation of habitat, and the extinction of wildlife. Therefore, as a priority for sustainable development, renewable energy will need to overcome some obstacles.