Renewables engineers like those at Arche play a crucial role in advancing the use of sustainable energy technology and contributing to the global transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future. View our clean energy advisor’s service page for more information.
They design, develop, and implement systems and technologies that harness renewable sources of energy, such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass energy. View our battery energy power solutions page for more infomation.
Here are some key renewable energy technologies.
Solar energy technology converts sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells or concentrated solar power (CSP) systems. PV cells directly convert sunlight into electricity, while CSP systems use mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight onto a receiver, which produces heat to generate electricity.
Wind turbines capture the kinetic energy of wind and convert it into electricity. As the wind blows, it spins the turbine blades, which turn a generator and produce electricity. Wind farms consist of multiple turbines that are connected to an electrical grid.
Hydropower harnesses the energy of flowing or falling water to generate electricity. It typically involves constructing dams or using river currents, tidal movements, or ocean waves to drive turbines, which generate electricity.
Biomass energy utilises organic matter such as wood, agricultural waste, and dedicated energy crops to produce heat, electricity, or biofuels. Biomass can be burned directly, converted into biogas through anaerobic digestion, or transformed into liquid biofuels through processes like fermentation or pyrolysis.
Geothermal energy utilises heat from within the Earth to generate electricity or provide heating and cooling. Geothermal power plants tap into hot water or steam reservoirs underground and convert the geothermal energy into electricity through steam turbines.
Ocean energy technologies capture energy from ocean waves, tides, or temperature differences. Wave energy converters extract energy from the motion of ocean waves, while tidal turbines harness the kinetic energy of tidal currents. Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) utilises temperature differences between surface and deep seawater to produce electricity.
Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical process that combines hydrogen and oxygen, producing water vapor as the only byproduct. Fuel cells can be used to power vehicles, buildings, and various devices, providing a clean and efficient energy source.
Arche’s renewables experts keep abreast of new technologies, materials, and methods for generating and storing renewable energy. We work to improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reliability of renewable energy systems for the benefit of our clients.
Renewable energy markets refer to the economic systems and mechanisms that facilitate the production, distribution, and consumption of renewable energy. These markets have evolved and expanded as renewable energy technologies have become more efficient, cost-effective, and widespread.
Here are some key aspects of renewable energy markets.
The growth of renewable energy markets is driven by factors such as declining costs of renewable technologies, increasing environmental awareness, policy support, and the recognition of the economic and social benefits of renewable energy.
Renewable energy markets involve the generation and production of electricity or other forms of energy from renewable sources. This includes the operation of renewable energy power plants such as solar farms, wind farms, hydroelectric facilities, biomass plants, and geothermal plants.
Renewable energy is increasingly integrated into existing energy markets, such as wholesale electricity markets, where renewable energy generators compete with traditional fossil fuel generators to sell their electricity. Market mechanisms, such as auctions and power exchanges, facilitate the trading and price discovery of renewable energy.
The growth of renewable energy markets is closely tied to advancements in energy storage technologies. Energy storage systems, such as batteries, allow for better management of intermittent renewable energy sources, enabling the storage and utilization of excess energy during periods of low demand or high renewable generation.
RECs, also known as green certificates or tradable renewable certificates, are tradable instruments that represent the environmental attributes associated with renewable energy generation. They allow consumers to support renewable energy by purchasing and retiring RECs, which help finance renewable energy projects.
Governments often provide incentives to promote renewable energy generation. Feed-in tariffs (FITs) guarantee a fixed payment rate for renewable energy producers, while power purchase agreements (PPAs) establish long-term contracts between renewable energy generators and consumers.
Many countries and regions have established renewable portfolio standards or targets that mandate a certain percentage of electricity generation to come from renewable sources. These policies provide regulatory frameworks and market incentives to encourage renewable energy development.
Renewable energy markets involve international trade and investments, with countries importing and exporting renewable energy technologies, equipment, and expertise. Global cooperation and collaborations are crucial for sharing best practices, financing renewable energy projects, and accelerating the adoption of renewable energy worldwide.
Renewable energy markets also support distributed generation, where energy is produced at or near the point of consumption. This includes rooftop solar installations, small wind turbines, and community-based renewable energy projects. Microgrids, which are localized energy systems that can operate independently or in conjunction with the main grid, often incorporate renewable energy sources.
Australia’s National Energy Market (NEM) is a wholesale electricity market that operates across the eastern and southern states of Australia. It is designed to facilitate the efficient generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity, ensuring reliable supply at competitive prices. Here are key aspects of Australia’s NEM.
Australia’s NEM plays a critical role in balancing electricity supply and demand, facilitating competition, and supporting the integration of renewable energy into the electricity grid. It provides a framework for market participants to trade electricity, manage risks, and contribute to the reliable and sustainable supply of energy across the region.
The NEM ensures grid stability and reliability through the provision of frequency control and ancillary services (FCAS). FCAS includes services such as regulating frequency, managing system inertia, and maintaining voltage levels. Market participants are responsible for providing these services to support grid operations.
The NEM covers the states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania, as well as the Australian Capital Territory. These regions are interconnected through a high-voltage transmission network, enabling the seamless flow of electricity across state boundaries.
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) is responsible for managing and operating the NEM. AEMO ensures the security, reliability, and stability of the electricity grid, coordinates the dispatch of electricity generation, and facilitates the trading of electricity and related services.
The NEM settles electricity trades through a settlement system, where participants pay or receive payments based on their generation, consumption, and contractual agreements. Participants can enter into bilateral contracts, known as financial transmission rights (FTRs), to manage their exposure to transmission losses and congestion.
The NEM supports Australia's Renewable Energy Target (RET), which aims to achieve 20% of the country's electricity generation from renewable sources by 2020. This target has driven significant growth in renewable energy capacity, particularly in wind and solar power.
The NEM is regulated by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), which oversees the pricing and regulation of transmission and distribution networks. The AER sets the revenue allowances for network operators and monitors their compliance with regulations.
The NEM has undergone various reforms to enhance competition, improve efficiency, and promote renewable energy integration. These reforms include the introduction of smart metres, the establishment of renewable energy targets, the implementation of demand response mechanisms, and the exploration of energy storage technologies.