L’green electricity is often presented as a key solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. But what is really hidden behind this name? In theory, green electricity refers to any electricity produced from renewable sources, such as solar, wind, hydraulic or biomass. Unlike fossil fuels, these sources emit no or very little CO2 during their operation.
However, the reality is more complex. The electricity consumed by a household is not directly transmitted from a solar power plant or a wind farm. In fact, the energy produced is injected into a common electricity network, where fossil and renewable energies mix. To certify that part of the energy injected is indeed of green origin, certificates of origin are used, ensuring that an equivalent amount of renewable energy has been produced elsewhere. But that doesn’t mean the electricity coming to your home is 100% green.
Ecology or greenwashing? The limits of green electricity
Despite good intentions, green electricity does not escape certain criticism. One of the main concerns is theintermittent renewable sources, such as wind and solar. These energies depend on weather conditions, making electricity production less predictable. To compensate for this intermittency, electricity networks continue to rely on fossil fuel power plants to guarantee continuous supply, particularly during peak consumption.
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In addition, the production of infrastructure to generate green electricity, such as solar panels or the wind turbines, itself has a environmental impact. The manufacture of this equipment requires rare and polluting materials, and their recycling still poses challenges. In short, green electricity, although less polluting in the long term, is not completely devoid of ecological impact.
Finally, some companies offer so-called “green” offers, but their actual production does not always come from renewable energies. They sometimes just buy green certificates to claim “ecological” electricity, without changing their mode of production. This phenomenon, often called greenwashing, misleads consumers who think they are buying clean energy.
A Greener Future: Potential and Obstacles of Renewable Energy
THE renewable energies represent enormous potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming. Electricity produced by sources such as wind or solar emits almost no CO2 once the infrastructure is in place. In the long term, these solutions could allow us to free ourselves from fossil fuels, which are responsible for the majority of carbon emissions.
However, to fully realize this potential, several obstacles must be overcome. The first challenge is that of energy storage. Solutions such as batteries or energy management systems are evolving, but they still need to be perfected to efficiently store the electricity produced during periods of high production (sun and wind) and redistribute it when demand is high. or unfavorable climatic conditions.
Then there is the question of cost. Although the prices of solar panels and wind turbines have fallen significantly in recent years, large-scale development of renewable energy still requires significant investment in infrastructure. THE smart networks must be modernized to manage intermittency and guarantee a stable supply of green electricity.
Alternatives and complements: Towards a more efficient energy transition
Although green electricity is promising, it cannot, on its own, guarantee energy transition complete and durable. To achieve this objective, it is necessary to adopt a diversified approach to energy mix. THE energy savings are a key avenue: by reducing our electricity consumption, we can depend less on polluting energies. Improving theenergy efficiency buildings and devices could play a major role in this strategy.
At the same time, other energy sources could complement renewable energies. THE nuclear, for example, although it provokes debate, produces a large amount of electricity without direct CO2 emissions and could be an essential complement in the short term. Innovations in smart grid technologies and the small modular reactors (SMR) are also being explored to improve the resilience of energy systems.
Finally, the political regulation and the public investments will play a crucial role. Incentive policies to encourage the use of renewable energy, subsidies for new technologies, and support for research into energy storage will be essential to succeed in this transition.