Clean Energy: Innovations Driving the World for a Better Life

Energy is a crucial factor that drives the daily lives of humans, both in consumption and in various activities that impact the economy as a whole. Currently, the demand for energy continues to grow, particularly after the Industrial Revolution, which significantly increased energy consumption. Clean energy and renewable energy have thus become new alternatives that play an important role in changing the way humans use energy. Today, Solwer will introduce you to “clean energy,” which will become an innovation driving our world to be a better place.

What is Clean Energy?

5 Types of Clean Energy

Many people may be familiar with the term “clean energy” but may not know what types of clean energy exist. We will provide examples of clean energy. Clean energy is divided into two main categories, both of which play important roles in developing sustainable and environmentally friendly energy sources. The first category is clean energy that comes from nature, which is energy that occurs naturally and can be directly utilized from the environment. Examples of this type of energy include wind energy, which uses the rotation of wind turbines to generate electricity; hydropower, which comes from the flow of water in dams or rivers that can be converted into electricity; solar energy, which uses solar panels to convert sunlight into electrical energy; and geothermal energy, which uses heat from beneath the Earth’s surface to generate electricity or provide heating in industries.

The second category is clean energy that can be produced by humans, which is energy generated through environmentally friendly processes. Sources of energy in this group include biomass energy, which comes from burning organic materials such as wood or agricultural waste; bioenergy, which is derived from fermenting organic matter to produce biogas; and energy from waste, which involves converting waste into energy through burning or other processes.

1. Solar Energy

Solar energy is energy derived from the radiation of the sun, which can be utilized in various forms, such as electricity generation, heating, or lighting. Solar energy is considered clean and sustainable because it is a natural energy source that will never run out and does not cause pollution to the environment.

How Solar Energy Works

Solar energy can be converted into electrical energy using solar panels, also known as photovoltaic cells (PV). These cells work by converting energy from sunlight into electricity through a process called the photovoltaic effect. Solar panels are made from materials that are semiconductors, such as silicon. When sunlight hits the solar panels, it stimulates electrons in the material, causing the movement of electrical charges, which can then be used as electric current.

Applications of Solar Energy

Electricity generation: Solar panels are used to convert solar energy into electricity, commonly used in homes, factories, and office buildings, especially in areas with abundant and consistent sunlight. Installing solar panels helps reduce electricity costs in the long term. Additionally, large solar farms install numerous solar panels to produce electricity for the main power grid.
Using thermal energy from sunlight: Besides electricity generation, solar energy is also used for heating, such as in solar water heaters, which convert sunlight into heat energy to warm water for residential use. Concentrated solar power (CSP) plants use mirrors or lenses to focus sunlight to generate heat and convert it into electricity.
Lighting applications: Sunlight can also be used directly for illumination, such as solar-powered street lights or solar lamps, which use solar panels to collect energy from sunlight during the day and use that energy at night without needing electricity from the grid.

Advantages of Solar Energy

Clean and sustainable energy: Solar energy does not cause pollution during electricity generation and does not release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, making it an environmentally friendly energy source.
Endless supply: The sun is an unlimited energy source. Although its availability varies by time and season, we can benefit from sunlight for thousands of years.
Long-term cost savings: Although the initial installation cost of solar energy systems may be high, in the long run, using solar energy helps reduce electricity bills and is a worthwhile investment.

2. Hydropower

Hydropower is energy derived from the movement of water, such as waterfalls or the flow of rivers, which can be used to generate electricity. Hydropower is considered clean and renewable because it comes from the natural water cycle and does not cause pollution to the environment.

How Hydropower Works

Hydropower is converted into electricity through processes involving the use of dams or reservoirs. Water from a water source is directed through pipes to a turbine. The force of the water causes the turbine to rotate. This turbine is connected to a generator, which produces electricity when the turbine spins. The electricity can then be used in homes and industries.

Applications of Hydropower

Electricity generation: Most hydropower is used for electricity generation through large dam constructions. Water from the dam is controlled to flow through turbines to produce electricity. Large hydropower plants can generate substantial amounts of electricity, such as the Mae Moh Dam in Thailand.
Community-level applications: In some rural areas, small hydropower plants (Micro Hydropower) are built to provide energy to small communities near water sources.

Advantages of Hydropower

Clean and renewable energy: Electricity generation from hydropower does not produce greenhouse gas emissions or pollution, making it a nature-friendly energy source.
Continuous electricity generation: Hydropower can produce electricity continuously, especially in areas with a consistent flow of water throughout the year.
Long-term cost savings: Although the construction of dams involves high costs, after construction, electricity generation has low maintenance costs and can last for many years.

3. Wind Energy

Wind Energy is the energy obtained from the movement of the wind, which can be used to generate electricity through wind turbines. Wind energy is considered renewable and clean because it does not create pollution and does not emit greenhouse gases.

How Wind Energy Works

Wind energy is converted into electrical energy through the rotation of wind turbines. When wind blows, the turbine spins, causing the connected generator to produce electricity. The rotation of the wind turbine blades depends on the speed and direction of the wind. Wind turbines are designed to have appropriate size and height to capture wind efficiently for electricity production.

Applications of Wind Energy Use

Industrial Electricity Generation: Wind farms are areas where many wind turbines are installed to generate electricity for the power grid. They are mostly located in areas with strong winds, such as coastal regions or mountainous areas.
Household or Community Use: In addition to large wind turbines for industrial electricity generation, small wind turbines can be used in communities or rural areas with lower energy consumption.

Advantages of Wind Energy

Clean and Non-Polluting Energy: Electricity generation from wind energy does not emit greenhouse gases or harmful chemicals to the environment.
Low Production Costs: After the installation of wind turbines, the cost of generating electricity from wind is very low since wind is a natural resource that does not require payment to use.
Renewable Energy: Wind is an inexhaustible energy source and can be used at any time, depending on weather conditions.

4. Geothermal Energy

Geothermal Energy is the energy obtained from the heat within the Earth, which comes from the Earth’s core that has high temperatures. This energy can be used for electricity generation, heating, or cooling. Geothermal energy is considered renewable because the heat from within the Earth is inexhaustible, and it is also considered clean energy that does not pollute the environment.

How Geothermal Energy Works

Geothermal energy works by extracting heat from within the Earth through deep drilling to bring hot water or steam accumulated underground to the surface. The steam that is extracted is used to spin turbines connected to generators. After passing through the turbine, the remaining water is sent back underground for future use, making the energy production sustainable.

Applications of Geothermal Energy Use

Electricity Generation: Geothermal energy is used for electricity generation in areas with high geothermal energy sources, such as Iceland, the Philippines, and the United States. Geothermal power plants use underground steam to spin turbines and generate electricity.
Heating and Cooling: Geothermal energy can also be used to heat homes and buildings in cold areas, such as using geothermal heat pumps that bring heat from the ground for heating buildings in winter and cooling in summer.

Advantages of Geothermal Energy

Renewable and Clean Energy: Geothermal energy is a sustainable and inexhaustible energy source. Additionally, it does not produce pollution or greenhouse gases during electricity generation.
Continuous Production: Geothermal energy can produce electricity and provide heating throughout the year without relying on weather conditions.
Reduced Fossil Fuel Use: Geothermal energy can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and help lower carbon dioxide emissions.

5. Biomass Energy

Biomass Energy is the energy obtained from organic materials produced by living organisms, such as plants, animals, or waste from agriculture, forestry, and industry. Biomass energy can be used for electricity generation, heating, and biofuels. It is considered renewable because these resources can be continuously produced and utilized.

How Biomass Energy Works

Biomass energy can be converted in various ways, with the most common being the combustion of biomass, such as firewood, sawdust, or rice straw. The combustion process releases thermal energy that can be used to generate electricity, functioning similarly to fossil fuel combustion. However, biomass energy can also be converted through chemical processes, such as digestion to produce biogas or fermentation to produce ethanol.

Applications of Biomass Energy Use

Electricity Generation: Biomass power plants burn biomass feedstocks like straw, sawdust, or plant residues to produce heat, which is then used to spin turbines and generate electricity. Large biomass power plants can utilize resources from agricultural and forestry waste for electricity production.
Biofuel Production: Biomass can also be processed into biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel, which can substitute fossil fuels, particularly in vehicles.
Biogas Production: Animal or plant waste can be decomposed by bacteria to produce biogas, which can be used as fuel in electricity generation processes or as an energy source in homes and industries.

Advantages of Biomass Energy

Renewable and Sustainable Energy: Biomass can be produced from continuously available resources, such as agricultural waste or organic waste, making it a sustainable and widely available energy source.
Waste Reduction: Utilizing biomass for energy production helps reduce the amount of waste and organic debris generated from agricultural and industrial processes.
Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Although burning biomass releases carbon dioxide, plants can absorb carbon dioxide back into their growth process, allowing carbon emissions from biomass energy to occur within the natural cycle, helping to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Clean Energy Use in Industrial Factories

The use of clean energy in industrial factories plays a vital role in reducing environmental impact and promoting energy sustainability. Beyond using renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, waste management in factories is another crucial approach.

Waste Management in Factories

Effective waste management in factories reduces environmental impact, lowers operational costs, and maximizes resource efficiency. The process involves multiple stages such as waste sorting, recycling, waste reduction, and safe disposal.

1. Waste Sorting

Factories should implement waste sorting systems from the outset to separate waste types such as organic, plastic, metal, and hazardous materials. Proper sorting enables recycling or reuse of materials, reducing landfill waste and increasing opportunities to repurpose resources.

2. Recycling

Recycling involves processing used materials for reuse. Items like paper, plastic, glass, metal and E-waste can be recycled to conserve new resources and minimize waste. Recycling also lowers energy use and pollution compared to producing new materials.

3. Upcycling Waste

Certain waste types can be repurposed for other uses. For example, organic waste from food production can be turned into compost or used for biomass energy. Plastic waste or scraps can be repurposed into new products like toys or construction materials. Recycling e-waste, such as old batteries and electronic components, helps reduce pollution and conserve resources. Batteries are sorted by type (e.g., lithium-ion, lead-acid), disassembled, and the materials (like lithium, nickel, and lead) are extracted for reuse in new batteries or other industrial processes, reducing environmental impact.

4. Waste Minimization

Waste minimization involves designing production processes to generate the least possible waste by using high-efficiency materials and improving processes to reduce resource loss. Reusing raw materials from one process in another or creating new products from leftover materials can also reduce waste.

5. Safe Waste Disposal

Waste that cannot be recycled or reused should be disposed of properly and safely, such as incinerating under controlled conditions to generate energy (Waste-to-Energy) or disposing of waste in certified landfills to prevent environmental contamination. Hazardous waste, such as chemicals or batteries, must be handled following strict safety standards.

6. Technology in Waste Management

Modern factories can incorporate advanced technologies to enhance waste management, such as monitoring systems to track waste handling or technologies to convert waste into energy. These innovations make waste management more efficient and sustainable.

Effective waste management in factories reduces environmental burden, enhances sustainability, and boosts the company’s image in society.

‘Solwer’ as a Leader in Clean Energy Towards Carbon Neutrality Under the SDGs Framework by 2035

In an era where global warming and climate change pose urgent challenges that need to be addressed, focusing on clean energy has become one of the most effective methods for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and maintaining environmental sustainability. Solwer recognizes this crisis and has stepped up as a leader in clean energy, with a clear vision to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035.

Solwer is committed to developing renewable energy technologies and creating environmentally friendly solutions that not only reduce pollution and CO₂ emissions but also promote economic growth and create new job opportunities through investments in clean energy. Under the SDGs, Solwer prioritizes Goal 7 (Affordable and Sustainable Clean Energy) and Goal 13 (Climate Action) by developing renewable energy technologies and creating new economic opportunities through the expansion of alternative energy usage in all sectors.

Our goal is to collaborate with all sectors to create a sustainable and eco-friendly future while paving the way to be a leader in the clean energy industry that meets the needs of consumers in the modern era. We are also committed to creating infrastructure that can support the transition to clean energy in line with global guidelines to reduce carbon emissions and build a sustainable society for the future.

Clean Energy: Innovations Driving the World for a Better Life