Introduction to Renewable Energy – Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards summarising key terms and definitions from the lecture on renewable energy, net-zero concepts, Malaysian policies, and energy challenges.

Net Zero

A state where the amount of carbon emissions produced is balanced by an equal amount removed from the atmosphere.

Zero-Carbon

Producing no carbon emissions during operation, e.g., electricity from wind or solar plants.

Greenhouse Effect

Natural process in which atmospheric gases trap the sun’s heat, warming Earth’s surface; intensified by human-added greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse Gas

Heat-trapping gas such as CO₂ or CH₄ that contributes to the greenhouse effect and global warming.

Renewable Energy

Energy derived from naturally replenished resources on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat.

Infinite Energy Resources

Another name for renewable resources because they are continually replenished and effectively inexhaustible.

Non-Renewable Energy

Energy obtained from exhaustible resources like fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and uranium.

Fossil Fuels

Carbon-rich energy sources—coal, crude oil, natural gas—formed from ancient organic matter and finite in supply.

Bioenergy

Renewable energy produced from organic materials such as agricultural, domestic, or industrial waste via combustion or gasification.

Geothermal Energy

Heat energy extracted from within the Earth and used for electricity generation or direct heating.

Hydropower

Electricity generated from the energy of moving water, including rivers and small hydroelectric systems.

Ocean Energy

Renewable energy harnessed from tidal or wave motion in ocean waters.

Solar Energy

Power obtained from sunlight using technologies like photovoltaic panels or solar thermal collectors.

Wind Energy

Electricity produced when wind turns turbine blades connected to generators.

Business as Usual (BAU) Scenario

Energy-planning outlook that continues existing policies and programmes without adding new ones.

New Capacity Target (NCT) Scenario

Malaysia’s plan aiming for significantly higher renewable-energy capacity to further decarbonise the electricity sector by 2035.

Malaysia Renewable Energy Potential

Country’s abundant year-round solar irradiation, biomass wastes, and river basins suitable for small hydro generation.

Renewable Energy Act 2011 (Malaysia)

Legislation that created a special tariff system to catalyse renewable-energy generation in Malaysia.

Sustainable Energy Development Authority Act 2011

Law establishing SEDA Malaysia, defining its functions and powers to oversee sustainable energy development.

Energy Problems

Challenges such as high energy demand, volatile fuel prices, environmental degradation, and lower efficiency of some renewables.

Environmental Degradation

Damage to the natural environment, including pollution and habitat loss, often linked to energy extraction and use.

Air Pollution (Greenhouse Effect context)

Release of gases like CO₂ when burning fossil fuels, contributing to enhanced greenhouse effect.

Spills and Seeps

Water pollution events where petroleum or chemicals leak during extraction, transport, or use of fossil fuels.

Exhaustible Resources of Energy

Another term for non-renewable energy sources that cannot be replenished on a human timescale.