International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056 Volume: 07 Issue: 03 | Mar 2020 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072 © 2020, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 7.34 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 3583 Techno Commercial Feasibility Study of Renewable Energies Rishabh Varma 1 Electrical and Electronics department, Dayananda Sagar college of engineering, Bangalore, India ---------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract - The global energy demand is going to increase substantially in the upcoming decades, and this energy demand can not be fulfilled by the conventional energy sources because of its depleting nature. Hence there is a global search for the next reliable source of energy. For a long time nuclear energy was the center of attention for this search for a constant, long term energy source, but the risks and disasters associated with it diverted the search towards the renewable energies. The global concern of climate change has led to application of lot of policies to reduce the carbon emission to curb the global environmental crisis. By replacing conventional power sources with renewable energy sources it is possible to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprint. In this paper, we are going to compare commercial aspects of major renewable energy sources, their carbon emission and feasibility based on the terrain. Key Words: Renewable energy, Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Biomass Energy, Hydro Power, Tidal Energy. 1. INTRODUCTION Renewable energy is energy that is collected from natural sources which are naturally replenished on a human timescale. Renewable Energy Power capacity increased from 1140 GWe in 2008 to 2378 GWe in 2018, this data shows the upward growth trend of the renewable energy sector. As of 2018, 169 countries have policy targets for renewable energy use, hence it is imperative for us to know about the major renewable energy sources and their commercial applications to meet with the growing demands of the sector. There are three primary motivators that stimulate the growth of renewable energy: Energy security, economic impacts and carbon dioxide emission reduction. Renewable energy markets are not easily formed because of cost disadvantages and subsidizing of fossil fuels, that is why this paper gives a comprehensive study of cost of adapting various forms of energy(economic impact), their global potential(energy security), their environmental impact (carbon emission reduction) and selecting a type of energy production based on terrain & geographical conditions of the place. The goal is to make it easier for policymakers and businesses to assess the environmental trade offs and economic viability of investing in renewable energy plants. 1.1 Hydro power To produce electricity, a high rise dam is built to stop flowing river water. This creates a reservoir behind the dam, the potential energy of the water in reservoir is converted into kinetic energy to turn the turbines which is coupled with generators. This rotation of turbines produce electricity. Hydro power is the world’s top provider of renewable energy, producing a whopping 16 per cent of the global energy supply. That’s a good thing when it comes to the climate, especially compared to energy from fossil fuels. But hydro power is not without its environmental costs, one of the potential environmental effects of hydro power development is what it can do to biodiversity. It can alter fresh water habitat, degrade water quality, and change land use by flooding land for reservoirs, and from construction of dam and the power lines. Hydro power has caused problems for local residents associated with the need to relocate. On the other hand hydro power energy is attractive because of the preexisting supply of water for irrigation, industrial and household use. Hydro power is clean energy that allows us to store power as well as water. 1.2 Wind Energy Moving air is called wind. Wind is a by product of the thermal energy received by the earth from sun. The uneven distribution of solar energy gives rise to uneven potential across the globe. Air when heated rises up, giving rise to a low pressure zone, the air from surrounding high pressure zone rushes in to create an even potential. This movement of air causes wind. This wind carries a lot of kinetic energy, which when tapped properly can turn turbines (windmill) which in turn power the generators that produces electricity. Although wind energy doesn’t produce any kind of pollution but setting up a wind farm is expensive and requires a lot of land. The installed capacity of wind power has increased from 4.8 MW in 1995 to more than 239 GW in 2011. Today, each wind turbine can generate as much electricity as a conventional power plant. 1.3 Tidal Energy Tidal energy is one of the oldest forms of energy used by humans. Tidal energy date back to 787 AD. Tidal power is non polluting, reliable and predictable. Tidal barrages allow tidal waters to fill an estuary via sluices and to empty through turbines -like wind turbines but driven by the sea. The rotation of turbines powers the generators that produces electricity. Unlike wind and waves, tidal currents are entirely predictable.