REN21

The following are the subtopics of REN21:

• Renewable energy policy and markets
• Renewable energy technologies
• Renewable energy deployment
• Renewable energy and energy access
• Renewable energy and climate change
• Renewable energy and the environment
• Renewable energy and society
• Renewable energy and the economy
• Renewable energy and the future
  Renewable energy is energy that comes from natural sources or processes that are constantly replenished. It includes sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat. Renewable energy is a rapidly growing source of energy around the world. In 2019, renewable energy accounted for 26% of global electricity generation, up from 21% in 2010.

There are many different types of renewable energy technologies. Some of the most common include solar photovoltaics (PV), wind turbines, hydropower, and geothermal power. Renewable energy technologies are becoming increasingly cost-competitive with traditional fossil fuels. In many cases, renewable energy is now the cheapest option for new electricity generation.

The deployment of renewable energy is increasing rapidly around the world. In 2019, global renewable energy capacity grew by 12%, the fastest rate of growth in any decade. The growth of renewable energy is being driven by a number of factors, including falling costs, government policies, and increasing public demand.

Renewable energy has a number of benefits. It can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and create jobs. Renewable energy can also help to improve energy security by reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels.

However, there are also some challenges associated with renewable energy. One challenge is that renewable energy sources are intermittent, meaning that they do not always produce electricity when it is needed. This can be a problem for grid operators, who need to ensure that there is always enough electricity to meet demand. Another challenge is that the cost of renewable energy technologies can be high, although this is decreasing as costs fall.

Despite the challenges, renewable energy is a vital part of the future energy mix. Renewable energy can help to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, improve air quality, and create jobs. As the cost of renewable energy technologies continues to fall, it is likely that renewable energy will play an even greater role in the global energy mix in the years to come.

Here are some additional details on each of the subtopics of REN21:

• Renewable energy policy and markets: Renewable energy policies can take many forms, such as feed-in tariffs, renewable portfolio standards, and tax credits. These policies can help to promote the deployment of renewable energy technologies and reduce their costs. Renewable energy markets are also growing rapidly, as more and more people and businesses are choosing to use renewable energy.
• Renewable energy technologies: There are many different types of renewable energy technologies, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most common renewable energy technologies include solar photovoltaics (PV), wind turbines, hydropower, and geothermal power. Solar PV is a technology that converts sunlight into electricity. Wind turbines are machines that use the wind to generate electricity. Hydropower is a technology that uses the power of moving water to generate electricity. Geothermal power is a technology that uses the heat from the Earth’s interior to generate electricity.
• Renewable energy deployment: The deployment of renewable energy is increasing rapidly around the world. In 2019, global renewable energy capacity grew by 12%, the fastest rate of growth in any decade. The growth of renewable energy is being driven by a number of factors, including falling costs, government policies, and increasing public demand.
• Renewable energy and energy access: Renewable energy can help to improve energy access, especially in developing countries. Renewable energy technologies can be deployed in remote areas where it is difficult or expensive to connect to the grid. Renewable energy can also be used to provide small-scale electricity services to households and businesses.
• Renewable energy and climate change: Renewable energy can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change. Renewable energy sources do not produce greenhouse gases, unlike fossil fuels. As the world transitions to a clean energy future, renewable energy will play an increasingly important role.
• Renewable energy and the environment: Renewable energy can have a number of positive environmental impacts. Renewable energy sources do not produce air pollution or other pollutants that can harm human health and the environment. Renewable energy can also help to conserve water and other natural resources.
• Renewable energy and society: Renewable energy can have a number of positive social impacts. Renewable energy can create jobs, improve energy security, and reduce poverty. Renewable energy can also help to improve air quality and public health.
• Renewable energy and the economy: Renewable energy can have a number of positive economic impacts. Renewable energy can create jobs, boost economic growth, and reduce energy costs. Renewable energy can also help to improve energy security and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.

• Renewable energy and the future: Renewable energy is a vital part of the future energy mix. Renewable energy can help to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, improve air quality, and create jobs. As the cost of renewable energy technologies continues to fall, it is likely that renewable energy will play an even greater role in the global energy mix in the years to come.
  Renewable energy policy and markets

• What is renewable energy policy?
  Renewable energy policy is a set of government regulations and incentives that promote the development and use of renewable energy sources.

• What are the goals of renewable energy policy?
  The goals of renewable energy policy vary from country to country, but they typically include increasing energy security, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting economic development.

• What are some examples of renewable energy policies?
  Some examples of renewable energy policies include feed-in tariffs, renewable portfolio standards, and tax credits.

Renewable energy technologies

• What are renewable energy technologies?
  Renewable energy technologies are the means by which renewable energy sources are converted into electricity, heat, or transportation fuels.

• What are some examples of renewable energy technologies?
  Some examples of renewable energy technologies include solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal energy.

Renewable energy deployment

• What is renewable energy deployment?
  Renewable energy deployment is the process of installing and operating renewable energy projects.

• What are the challenges to renewable energy deployment?
  The challenges to renewable energy deployment include high upfront costs, intermittency, and lack of public acceptance.

• What are the benefits of renewable energy deployment?
  The benefits of renewable energy deployment include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased energy security, and economic development.

Renewable energy and energy access

• What is energy access?
  Energy access is the ability to have reliable access to modern energy services, such as electricity and clean cooking fuels.

• What are the challenges to energy access?
  The challenges to energy access include poverty, lack of infrastructure, and political instability.

• What are the benefits of renewable energy and energy access?
  The benefits of renewable energy and energy access include improved health, education, and economic development.

Renewable energy and climate change

• What is climate change?
  Climate change is the long-term change in the Earth’s climate, which is caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels.

• What is the role of renewable energy in addressing climate change?
  Renewable energy can help to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• What are the benefits of using renewable energy to address climate change?
  The benefits of using renewable energy to address climate change include reduced air pollution, improved public health, and economic development.

Renewable energy and the environment

• What are the environmental impacts of renewable energy?
  The environmental impacts of renewable energy vary from technology to technology, but they are generally much lower than the environmental impacts of fossil fuels.

• What are the benefits of renewable energy for the environment?
  The benefits of renewable energy for the environment include reduced air pollution, improved water quality, and biodiversity conservation.

Renewable energy and society

• What are the social impacts of renewable energy?
  The social impacts of renewable energy vary from technology to technology, but they can include job creation, economic development, and improved quality of life.

• What are the benefits of renewable energy for society?
  The benefits of renewable energy for society include reduced energy costs, improved energy security, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Renewable energy and the economy

• What are the economic impacts of renewable energy?
  The economic impacts of renewable energy can be positive or negative, depending on a variety of factors.

• What are the benefits of renewable energy for the economy?
  The benefits of renewable energy for the economy include job creation, economic development, and reduced energy costs.

Renewable energy and the future

• What is the future of renewable energy?
  The future of renewable energy is bright. Renewable energy is becoming increasingly cost-competitive with fossil fuels, and there is a growing political and public support for renewable energy.

• What are the challenges to the future of renewable energy?
  The challenges to the future of renewable energy include intermittency, lack of storage, and high upfront costs.

• What are the opportunities for the future of renewable energy?
  The opportunities for the future of renewable energy include technological innovation, increased investment, and expanded markets.
  Question 1

Which of the following is not a subtopic of REN21?

(A) Renewable energy policy and markets
(B) Renewable energy technologies
(C) Renewable energy deployment
(D) Renewable energy and energy access
(E) Renewable energy and climate change

Answer: (E) Renewable energy and climate change

Question 2

Which of the following is not a renewable energy technology?

(A) Solar energy
(B) Wind energy
(C) Hydropower
(D) Nuclear energy
(E) Geothermal energy

Answer: (D) Nuclear energy

Question 3

Which of the following is not a factor that has contributed to the growth of renewable energy?

(A) Decreasing costs of renewable energy technologies
(B) Increasing government support for renewable energy
(C) Increasing public awareness of climate change
(D) Increasing demand for energy
(E) Increasing environmental regulations

Answer: (D) Increasing demand for energy

Question 4

Which of the following is not a challenge to the growth of renewable energy?

(A) Intermittency of renewable energy sources
(B) Storage of renewable energy
(C) Transmission of renewable energy
(D) Cost of renewable energy technologies
(E) Public acceptance of renewable energy

Answer: (D) Cost of renewable energy technologies

Question 5

Which of the following is not a potential benefit of renewable energy?

(A) Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
(B) Increased energy security
(C) Reduced air pollution
(D) Increased jobs in the renewable energy sector
(E) Increased economic growth

Answer: (B) Increased energy security

Question 6

Which of the following is not a potential risk of renewable energy?

(A) Impact on land use
(B) Impact on wildlife
(C) Impact on water resources
(D) Impact on the grid
(E) Impact on the economy

Answer: (D) Impact on the grid

Question 7

Which of the following is not a goal of the Paris Agreement?

(A) Limiting global warming to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels
(B) Increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
(C) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
(D) Providing financial assistance to developing countries
(E) Promoting adaptation to climate change

Answer: (A) Limiting global warming to 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels

Question 8

Which of the following is not a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

(A) Increasing energy efficiency
(B) Switching to renewable energy
(C) Using nuclear energy
(D) Capturing and storing carbon dioxide
(E) Reducing deforestation

Answer: (C) Using nuclear energy

Question 9

Which of the following is not a way to increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix?

(A) Increasing investment in renewable energy
(B) Reducing subsidies for fossil fuels
(C) Removing trade barriers for renewable energy technologies
(D) Promoting research and development in renewable energy
(E) Educating the public about renewable energy

Answer: (B) Reducing subsidies for fossil fuels

Question 10

Which of the following is not a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation?

(A) Protecting forests
(B) Restoring forests
(C) Planting trees
(D) Using sustainable forest management practices
(E) Reducing demand for products that contribute to deforestation

Answer: (D) Using sustainable forest management practices