Wind energy

Frequently asked questions.

Wind energy

What does renewable energy mean?

Renewable energy is the energy generated from sources which recover by themselves in nature, so that their use cannot be the cause of their exhaustion. Such sources include wind, sunlight, ground thermal energy, energy of falling water, biological waste and others.
These sources and the means for extracting energy from them have almost no impact on nature and the environment in comparison with the traditional fuels – coal, oil and gas.
Traditional fuels are not considered as renewable energy sources because they are consumed for a significantly less time than they are reproduced and the use of these fuels can cause their full exhaustion in nature.

Why renewable energy produce is important to us?

Producing electricity from renewable energy has a minor impact on the environment as opposed to the traditional methods of electricity production, as the former can hardly ever emit hazardous substances, pollution, smog nor acid rain.
Renewable energy produce in Bulgaria decreased its dependence of imported fuels and electricity.
The execution of obligations of Bulgaria to the European Union concerning electricity production from renewable energy sources will significantly reduce the rise of electricity prices because of the carbon emission’s mandatory fine payments to the EU and the import of foreign electricity to our distribution network.

What are the most frequently used renewable energy sources and which may be used in Bulgaria?

The most frequently used renewable energy sources in the world are water, wind, sunlight, geothermal temperature and biomass. In Bulgaria there are conditions to use all such sources, but the most quickly developing are based on wind and sun (wind turbines and photovoltaic installations).

If the wind is used as an energy source, will the electricity at home depend on the wind parameters?

No. The power supply of your home will not change in any way. Produced electricity by wind turbines “flows” in the common grid and is distributed by the dispatchers of electrical companies in a way that ensures the necessary standard parameters.

Do wind turbines cause harm to birds and nature?

No. Wind farms are consistent with the recent requirements for protection of birds and environment.
They are built in areas outside Natura 2000. Priority requirement to start building them is a positive statement for building in assessing the impact of the environment (EIA). Propellers are with large diameter and rotate relatively slowly. Wind towers are not sought place for nesting birds.
Wind farms can be equipped with radar systems that automatically shut down the wind turbines in danger of bird flies. Experience shows that the probability a wind turbine to damage a bird is considerably smaller than the probability the same to happen with any building, vehicle or aircraft.

Why should I be concerned about renewable energy produce?

Electricity generated from renewable energy sources is “clean” energy, ie it has no harmful effects on the environment and nature.
If Bulgaria fails to reach certain levels of electricity production from renewable sources, as required by the EU, it will be forced to pay large fines and taxes for the harmful carbon emissions that other sources inevitably generate, and will also have to import even more foreign countries’ energy.

Does the produce of renewable energy raise the cost for electricity at home?

The view that the expansion of production of electricity from renewable energy sources will raise the cost for electricity consumption of the final customers is actively disseminated”.
However, that is not reasonable because if Bulgaria fails to reach certain levels of electricity production from renewable energy, as mentioned above, it will have to pay large fines and import foreign electricity, which will lead to a higher cost of electricity for the households.
Further, due to many tech innovations, such electricity becomes cheaper and the more production facilities for renewable energy there are, the cheaper it becomes to produce it.
Finally, all good and valuable things have a price, but what more important there is than the life preservation of Earth, that clean energy can definitely help for?

Do you think that an investment in renewables is a good investment?

Yes. Renewable energy will become cheaper if more is invested in its production.
These investments not only pay off in terms of clean energy, which can be potentially life- saving, but they also become the root cause for technological inventions and development overall.

Will renewable electric plants replace the current heat and nuclear plants soon?

No. Or difficult. At least for now. And not suddenly. Despite the continuous reduction of the consumption of individual appliances, the total electricity consumption increases. The aim is to produce only “clean” electricity, but no one would dare to predict when this will happen.

What benefits for the environment brings the renewable energy?

Every kilowatt hour of electricity from renewable energy sources replace the same amount of electricity produced by traditional methods. Besides with no harmful emissions of carbon and sulfur dioxide, nitrates, smog and all caused by them health problems and damages to flora and fauna.
Not to remind that the same smog can dark the air above a solar park, which will therefore produce less green electricity in peak hours of its consumption.

What are the disadvantages of renewable energy?

A major disadvantage of electricity produce from renewable energy sources remains its cost. For all other problems there were found organizational or technological solutions that continue to improve.
With the increasing invasion of “clean” energy in our lives, its price will become comparable, but why not even smaller than the price for traditional electricity produce, at some point?

Does the presence of renewable energy sources improve the reliability of the energy supply?

Yes. With the expansion of renewable electricity production increases the number of alternatives and with it the reliability of energy production. This way is reduced Bulgaria’s dependence of imported gas and foreign electricity.