Comapartive analysis of renewable energy resources potentially accessible in rural areas

Abstract

Energy in rural areas is needed both for residents and for the purpose of servicing agricultural production. The main sources of energy are large plants, such as heating plants and power plants. However, alternative energy sources, such as wind, solar or bio-energy have become increasingly popular in recent years. In the years 2007 - 2009, the level of energy use from renewable energy sources in the world remains at the level of 17 %, in the EU countries 16 %, in Poland at the level of 6 %. Share of renewable energy carriers in electricity production in 2014 in Poland, by GUS data is as follows: 46.17 % solid biofuels; 38.68 % wind energy; 11.00 % water energy; 4.11 % biogas; 0.035 % solar energy; 0.005 % other. The interest in using energy from these sources is related to the ever-growing demand for energy and the awareness of the threat of depletion of natural energy deposits. Another problem related to generation of energy in a conventional manner is the post-production waste and pollution associated with these processes, such as sulphur dioxides, nitrogen, coal and dust, which pose a huge threat to the natural environment. Alternative solutions limit the amount of this waste. The purpose of the research presented in the article is to present a complicated preparatory procedure related to implementation of facilities of this type and the possibility of their use in rural areas. The research included an analysis of sample investments, review of documentation and a library query. As a result of the research and analysis, a number of requirements related to preparation and implementation of investments in renewable energy sources were indicated. The construction of a wind or water power plant is a much more serious undertaking than, for example, a biogas plant and therefore the preparatory activities take a lot more time. The largest variety of activities can be seen in the conceptual stage preceding the administrative activities. The preparation of the necessary documents is also different, as are the conditions for implementation and subsequent operation. At the end of the analysis, the advantages, disadvantages and features of installations that can be found in rural areas are presented.