For several years, the merits of 100% renewable energies have been praised for effectively responding to certain ecological challenges that the Earth must face. They are the spearheads of the ecological transition to which we aspire.

Whether it's solar energy, Hydraulic power or even Wind energy, most of us agree to describe them as “green” energies, because they obviously do not produce CO2.

But are “green” energies really green? A thorough analysis of the situation allows us to realize that this is not really the case.

“Green” energies emit CO2

In absolute terms, clean energy should not produce carbon dioxide at any stage of its life cycle. To conclude that renewable energy sources (wind, hydraulic, solar, biomass, tidal power...) are clean, most of us tend to focus on the precise phase in which they are used for electrical production.

An imperfect carbon balance

Indeed, at this stage, the carbon footprint of the energies concerned is almost neutral and far from interesting compared to fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas or even oil. For a kWh produced, the average CO2 emission for the wind energy sector is 12 g, 45 g for the solar sector, 42 g for geothermal energy, 4 g for the hydraulic sector.

On the other hand, fossil fuels such as oil or coal far exceed the threshold of 850 g of CO2 per 1 kWh.

Clean energy thanks to polluting resources

We realize that the production of CO2 by renewables is mainly carried out indirectly. To produce the devices used for green energies, energy mainly from fossil sources considered to be unsuitable is used.

For example, we must extract and transform silicon for a photovoltaic panel, build a mast of several tons of steel, build the propellers of a wind turbine, transport manufacturing equipment or even the final installations over long distances using means of transport using oil...

In China where a large part of the wind turbines and solar panels used in the world are manufactured, Electricity, the driving force behind manufacturing plants, is 72.6% produced from coal and only 7.2% from renewable energies. The reality is therefore that an energy system that generates a lot of greenhouse gases is involved in the process of obtaining clean energy. The fears are not at the level of renewable energy sources, but rather at the level of their transformation.

Rare metals for solar and wind

There is no production with zero waste. Scientific progress has made it possible to reduce the use of rare earths in the photovoltaic and wind energy sectors. However, their pure and simple elimination is not a reality today. Indium, cobalt, neodymium, graphite, lithium, dysprosium are all rare metals Whose mineral extraction in East Asian countries is source of major pollution.

The resulting environmental problems are numerous: saturation of the air with heavy metals, pollution of the groundwater, depletion of the soil, uncontrolled use of water, dissemination of toxic waste at the base of serious cancers, disturbance of the development of flora...

This is certainly not the image we have of the energy transition. However, rare metals are not essential for the development of the renewable energies mentioned.

We can only hope that research will make it possible as soon as possible to find good substitutes for them that do not cause the price of production devices to explode.

Biodiversity disturbed by green energy installations

Clean energy is not only linked to the irreproachable quality of sound carbon footprint, it must also be evaluated in relation to its direct impact on living beings. If we take solar energy, photovoltaic panels can disorient insects or birds due to the intense sunlight that is reflected. For example, this can disrupt the seasonal migration of individuals, giving rise to other serious environmental problems due to the butterfly effect.

On a smaller scale, installing photovoltaic panels leads to the fragmentation of animal habitats. The use of potentially toxic chemicals to treat panels finally contributes to the pollution of the surrounding water.

Collisions of flying animals with wind turbines, emission of GHGs by hydraulic reservoirs at the base of anthropogenic climate change, disturbance of water flows and deterioration of water quality upstream and downstream of hydroelectric installations, disturbance of the seabed, electromagnetic pollution and destruction of aquatic fauna by tidal structures...

Rumors about the negative effects on living beings linked to the production of green energy are quite numerous. This is because any artificial installation in a previously natural environment upsets the existing balance in one way or another.

Green electricity is not necessarily 100% renewable

Green offers are increasingly offered by electricity suppliers. If it is impossible for you to know if you really consume electrical energy from a renewable source, this mechanism at least allows you to finance an equivalent production of green energy injected into the electrical network. However, some unreliable or unreliable providers don't really play the game.

They therefore do not have the capacity to produce renewable energy, thus selling you fossil electricity under the cover of guarantees of origin. Others don't buy exactly the number of guarantees of origin corresponding to the number of kilowatt hours sold.

Did you know that?

SirEnergies, which supports you in your energy transition, has established partnerships with serious, reliable and resolutely committed green electricity suppliers. By using our expertise, you can be sure to make your energy consumption truly green.
Contact us