Renewable energies are changing with the emergence of new promising technologies.Beyond the experienced sectors such as wind or classic photovoltaics, new solutions offer interesting potential for companies anxious to decarbonize their energy mix.
Presentation of emerging renewable energy sources
Green hydrogen
Produced by water electrolysis from renewable electricity, "green" hydrogen is a solution to decarbonize energy -energy industrial processes (steel, chemistry, etc.) and heavy transport.Many production and distribution projects of decarbon hydrogen are emerging.
Solar thermal and thermodynamic energy
Beyond photovoltaics, solar thermal power plants concentrate the sun's rays to heat a fluid and produce electricity.The thermodynamic sector allows to produce electricity and heat from solar energy.
Marine energy
The energy of the waves, the sea currents and the temperature difference between surface and deep water (thermal energy of the seas) offers a considerable potential still little exploited.
Small hydroelectricity
The hydraulic microcentrals of a few kilowatts with a few megawatts, installed on rivers of modest size, are experiencing a renewed interest in a production of decentralized electricity.
Great geothermal energy
By drilling several kilometers underground, you can capture the heat of the basement to produce electricity via high power geothermal power plants.
Potential of these innovative technologies
These new renewable energy sectors have many advantages for businesses:
- Diversification and security of energy supply
- Local production of decarbon and competitive energy
- Flexible and modular solutions adapted to the needs
- Massive reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
- R&D and technological innovation opportunities
Their large -scale deployment is however slowed down by technical, regulatory and financing challenges to be met.
Inspiring case studies
Hydeal project (Spain)
Carried by the company Engie, this gigantic project aims to produce 3.6 million tonnes of green hydrogen per year by 2030 from renewable energies.
Miraah central (Oman)
Operated by GlassPoint, this 1GW solar power plant feeds a steam oil field to extract heavy oil, without emissions.
Windfloat floating wind farm (Portugal)
Developed by EDP Renováveis, this 3.4 MW floating wind farms is a world premiere for this promising technology at sea.
Centrale Marémotrice de la Rance (France)
Pioneer, this factory has produced electricity from the energy of the tides since 1966. Other projects of this type are being studied.
Innovative renewable energies thus offer great opportunities for businesses, at the forefront of the energy and ecological transition.
