Green energy: current state and prospects

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the current state of green energy, characteristics of its various types and prospects for development. Green energy is a part of the energy production system that uses renewable energy sources. The most common types of green energy are photovoltaic conversion of solar energy and the use of wind energy. Less well known are technologies for using marine tidal energy and wave energy from the sea surf. There are such exotic green energy projects as reverse osmosis, one-way diffusion − using the interaction of fresh and salt water to generate electricity by raising wind turbines into the upper stratosphere in the form of airships (such projects are currently being developed in Alaska). It is obvious that renewable energy sources do not pollute the environment, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change. They are virtually inexhaustible, while fossil fuels will eventually run out. Today, the reality of green energy is as follows. Globally, about 1 % of electricity is generated by solar installations and just over 2 % by wind turbines. If we consider not only electricity, but all the energy produced, the share of green energy, despite its rapid development over the past decade, is now about 5 %. Globally, the growth of installed solar and wind power capacity is doubling every four years. The main purpose of the article is to conduct a critical comparative analysis of published data on energy consumption in Europe and the world, based on the need to significantly reduce the gap in energy consumption per capita in developed countries. A review of the effectiveness of the use of various energy sources in machine building, shipbuilding and ship repair in the world as a whole was also carried out in the direction of developing practical recommendations for creating an effective process of performing logistical tasks in transport using alternative energy sources. It is known that traditional sources such as oil, gas and other minerals are gradually becoming more expensive. That is why solar panels, wind farms, and hydroelectric power plants are becoming so popular today as new sources of alternative or green energy. Let us emphasize the role of hydrogen energy. Hydrogen can be used in the large power industry, while it can replace natural gas and oil products, in transport; in the sector of buildings (for heat and power supply, including autonomous, with the replacement of natural gas or oil products); in industry − as a raw material and a substitute for traditional hydrocarbons.