Three Challenges in the Renewable Energy Sector
As the world grapples with the effects of climate change and the need for sustainable energy sources becomes more pressing, renewable energy has emerged as a critical solution, birthing the renewable energy sector. However renewable energy offers numerous benefits, from lower greenhouse gas emissions to reduced dependence on fossil fuels, but it has challenges. In the UK, as in many other countries, the renewable energy sector faces many obstacles that must be overcome to continue to grow and thrive.
Grid Capacity
One of the biggest challenges facing renewable energy in the UK is the issue of grid capacity. While wind and solar energy generation have snowballed in recent years, the existing electricity grid is not designed to accommodate the variability and intermittency of renewable energy sources. This means that the grid can become overloaded at high renewable energy generation times, and energy may need to be curtailed. In contrast, at other times, there may not be enough renewable energy available to meet demand. Addressing this challenge will require significant investment in grid infrastructure and technology to balance energy supply and demand better.
Planning and Regulation
Another critical challenge facing the renewable energy sector in the UK is the issue of planning and regulation. While there is broad political support for renewable energy, the planning and regulatory framework can be complex and time-consuming. Projects can face significant delays and costs due to environmental impact assessments, public consultations, and opposition from local communities. To overcome this challenge, there is a need for greater clarity and consistency in planning and regulatory processes. Plus, greater engagement and consultation with stakeholders are required to ensure that renewable energy projects are practical and socially acceptable.
Finance
A third major challenge facing the UK’s renewable energy sector is financing large-scale projects. While renewable energy technologies have become increasingly cost-competitive in recent years, they still require a significant upfront investment, which can take time to secure. This is particularly true for new technologies without economies of scale. Addressing this challenge will require various financing options, from public funding to private investment and innovative financing models such as green bonds and community energy schemes.
The Future of Renewable Energy
Despite these challenges, there is cause for optimism in the UK renewable energy sector. The government has set ambitious targets for renewable energy generation to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. According to the UK’s Energy Trend Report, renewable technologies provided a record-high amount of power in 2022, at 41.4%.
There is also growing public awareness and support for renewable energy and increasing innovation in areas such as energy storage and smart grid technology.
To achieve these goals, the renewable energy sector must continue to innovate and overcome its challenges. This will require collaboration and partnership between industry, government, and civil society, as well as a willingness to embrace new technologies and business models. With the right policies and investments, the UK can build a sustainable and resilient energy system that will benefit both people and the planet.
The Future at Marlec
The government aren’t the only one who is working towards ambitious targets. You don’t need to delve too far into our portfolio or history to get a green taste of our innovations and progress. Take the Solar iBoost+, for instance. The PV immersion controller supplies over 100,000 homeowners with free hot water from their PV arrays. It stands as the UK’s favourite controller on the market.
Looking forward, we’ve got an EV charger on the doorstep of being released. Not only is our Veva EV charger new, but it’s also unique, which is precisely what the renewable sector needs. Homeowners will soon be able to charge their vehicles using solar arrays, a hybrid solar and grid system, or traditional sources. The Veva boasts advanced features yet remains simple to use and install. Making renewable tech accessible and feasible for both homeowners and installers is how we plan to take renewables further.