Alternative Energy in Russia

Benefits of applying alternative energy sources (both ecological and economic) have already been mentioned. Still, the percentage of alternative energy usage is not very high: 4.9 % (in 2010) energy consumed worldwide, reaching up to 8% (Australia) and even 13 % (the USA) [5]. The issue is generally considered to be perspective, and by 2020 the overall impact of alternative energy is estimated to amount to 4.5 % in Russia and not less than 20 % in Europe [21] (14% according to the International Energy Agency [21]). The main reason for this ardent desire to increase the portion of infinite (renewable) energy sources is the finiteness of the traditional ones: fossil fuels are expected to be exhausted in course of preceding decades (coal – in 270 years, oil – in 35-40 years, natural gas – in 50 years [22]).

As compared with other European countries or the USA, Russia retards in the sphere. The range of reasons of backwardness includes:

1) absence of legislature in the area of alternative energy;

2) lack of governmental, public, and scientific support (Russia is a global supplier of traditional energy sources, that is why it suffers no urgent need of alternative energy development [26]);

3) the cost of equipment (it is unprofitable to expand alternative energy usage on a large scale: traditional energy sources are often cheaper);

4) unsustainability of this means of energy extraction (much depends on external conditions: climate, solar activity, etc.) [23].

The last two points are acute not only in Russia: the global community strives to make producing, setting, and maintaining sophisticated equipment (e.g. solar panels, wind generators) a cheaper and simpler process.

As has been mentioned above, power plants applying alternative energy do not give a stable result. Below you can see an outline of difficulties arising in several sectors of alternative energy extraction.

Wind power. Although this source of energy is comparatively affordable, it has certain drawbacks [24]. Firstly, wind turbines can be installed only in certain areas (windy enough for suitable power generation). Moreover, wind motion is a non-constant factor: wind intensiveness changes throughout the day, week, etc. Secondly, large numbers of generators (as well as vast tracts) are needed to satisfy the requirements of energy production.

Solar power. Solar panels can be setup on roof tops, along the roads; they are modular and are used in distant localities. The principal barrier to the massive exploitation of solar panels is their price. Solar power is frequently used for heating, though in Russia it is not appropriate: 80 per cent of solar energy fall on summer time, when heating is unnecessary [25].

Hydropower. Net cost of energy gained at Russian hydroelectric power stations is half as big as that gained at thermoelectric power station [25]. According to Roshydro, there are 102 hydroelectric power stations on the territory of the country (with power capacity higher than 100 MWt), and the total estimated electric power equals 46 674, 9 MWt [5]. The use of hydropower “prevents the burning of 22 billion gallons of oil or 120 million tons of coal each year.” Besides, hydro turbines are very efficient: theyconvert up to 90 per cent of the available energy into electricity (in comparison, fossil fuel plants convert only 50 per cent) [24]. However, this means to produce energy is not a perfect one. To begin with, the construction of a dam requires vast territories. Consequently, the plough-lands are flooded, river’s natural functions are altered, ecosystems are restructured [24]. Besides, the building is possible only in the areas with huge hydroenergy potential; often effective stations are far from consumers.

Geothermal energy is not well-developed in Russia, since the construction of geothermal power stations occurs in geologically active areas. There are 5 such stations in Russia producing 450 MWh of energy [5]. Another type of geothermal energy being used commercially is Earth energy, extracted through heat pumps. It is used in private households, though in Russia it is not popular for reason of high equipment cost [25].

Biomass energy. Biomass is used to produce heat, electric power, biofuel, and biogas [5]. Russia has a significant biomass utilization potential. According to Swiss company NUTEK’s estimation, the European part of Russia can produce 400 TWh/year of energy [27]. Heating houses with wood is traditionally applied in rural areas, but it is not much effective and environmentally-friendly. More sophisticated equipment is needed to improve the results.

Climatic change, demographic problems and fossil fuels depletion threaten the world economy. That is why in the nearest future these handicaps have to be surpassed and alternative energy’s role in the economy is to increase.

Unfortunately, on the territory of the Russian Federation, alternative energy is not developing at the desired pace. It is generally intended to be used in remote areas or in the regions with frequent electricity cessation in combination with traditional energy sources [26].