A review of external costs of electricity generation emphasising on renewable energies

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Master of Science (MSc) Student, Department of Renewable Energies and Environment, Faculty of New Science and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Renewable Energies and Environment, Faculty of New Science and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

According to definitions, external costs are the harmful results of economic activities. This costs represent as social and environmental costs. In the other words, producing a product is attendant with some costs for environment and this cost is not calculated in final price of that product. Paying no attention to this external costs, cause the destructive effects on environment and natural resources. In the energy sector of country, external costs are being imposed some costs on society and environment and cause water and air pollution and reduce the level of the freshwater. Replacing renewable energies can reduce this costs. Based on recent studies, external cost of combined cycle power plants is less the others. According to potential of wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy in Iran, we can improve our level in renewable energies in future. Not only the environmental costs of renewable energy is very low but also the water footprint in solar and wind power is less than other power plant.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 22 October 2018
  • Revise Date: 11 December 2018
  • Accept Date: 24 December 2018

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