Renewable energy is at the heart of the transition to a more sustainable planet. Understanding its origins and how it is used is essential to address the challenges of the climate crisis. We can already say that Brazil occupies a prominent global position in the sector, demonstrating that it is possible to combine development and sustainability.
What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy sources come from nature and can regenerate before being consumed, hence the concept of "renewable." In addition to this characteristic, they can emit fewer pollutants into the atmosphere compared to other energy sources.
Another advantage is availability. Because they rely on natural resources such as sun, wind, and water, these energies can be obtained at different times and places around the world. This ease also influences the price: they are often cheaper than traditional sources.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the world leaders in renewable energy include China, the United States, Brazil, India, Germany, Japan, Canada, Spain, Norway, Sweden and Iceland.
Even though renewable energy is natural and virtually inexhaustible, it depends on factors such as climate, geographic location, and available technology. Even so, it is one of the key tools for advancing decarbonization and the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy matrix.
See: what is decarbonization and why it is important
Differences between renewable and non-renewable energies
The main difference is the rate of replenishment. While renewable resources replenish naturally, fossil fuels take millions of years.
Renewable energy
- Derived from natural resources that can be replenished.
- Low environmental impact: they generate almost no waste or pollutants.
- Examples: sun, wind, water, biomass and geothermal heat.
Non-renewable energies
- They come from finite resources such as oil, coal and natural gas.
- They emit large amounts of CO₂, the main greenhouse gas.
- They take millions of years to form and are rapidly depleting.
There are many types of renewable energy. Here are the key points to understand.
Solar energy
Solar energy is the most abundant of all sources. It can be harnessed even on cloudy days, and the amount of energy reaching Earth is thousands of times greater than global consumption.
This energy is captured by photovoltaic panels or mirrors that concentrate sunlight and convert it into electricity, heat, or light. In recent years, the cost of solar panels has fallen dramatically, making this technology one of the most affordable. They have a lifespan of about 30 years and require little maintenance.
wind energy
Wind energy uses wind power to power turbines and generate electricity. Installations can be onshore, or offshore, where winds are stronger and more constant.
With larger and more efficient turbines, wind power has grown rapidly. Its technical potential is sufficient to supply global electricity demand several times over. The main limitations lie in the variability of wind speeds and the need for storage systems during calm periods.
Hydro-electric energy
Hydroelectric power is obtained from the movement of water in rivers or reservoirs. It is currently the main renewable source in the global electricity sector.
In addition to generating electricity, hydroelectric plants can also be used for irrigation, flood control, and water supply. However, large dams can cause environmental impacts, alter ecosystems, and displace communities. Therefore, small-scale projects are considered more sustainable alternatives, especially in isolated regions.
Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy harnesses the heat existing within the Earth. This heat is captured through deep wells and can be used to generate electricity or heat buildings. It's a stable and reliable technology that has been used for over a century, although it depends on regions with specific geological characteristics, such as volcanic areas.
Ocean energy
Ocean energy is generated from the movement of waves, tides, and ocean currents. Still in the development phase, it has potential far exceeding the planet's current energy needs. Several countries are testing submerged turbines and systems that harness the power of the sea, but the high installation and maintenance costs still limit their expansion.
Biomass
Biomass is a renewable energy source that transforms plant and animal waste, such as plant remains, food, and waste, into heat, electricity, or fuel. Instead of being discarded, these materials gain new uses, helping to reduce waste and dependence on fossil fuels.
This energy can be harnessed in a variety of ways: through direct combustion, such as wood used for heating; through natural decomposition, which releases methane gas used as fuel; or through the cultivation of energy plants, such as sugarcane and corn, used to produce biofuels. All biomass energy has a common source: the sun.
Plants capture sunlight and store chemical energy, which is released when biomass is used. Although it's a clean and renewable alternative, the process requires control, as burning can generate smoke and emissions. Even so, biomass is consolidating itself as one of the most elegant and sustainable solutions for a more balanced energy future.
Why is renewable energy important?
Energy production is a major contributor to climate change. Most of the greenhouse gases that warm the Earth come from the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas, used to generate electricity and heat.
In 2023, the energy sector was the largest source of global greenhouse gas emissions. Science shows that to avoid the worst impacts of global warming, these emissions need to be nearly halved by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.
Achieving this goal depends on reducing the use of fossil fuels and increasing investment in clean, affordable, and sustainable sources. This shift is already underway. Between 2015 and 2024, global renewable energy generation capacity grew by approximately 140%, while fossil fuels grew by only 16%.
Clean, green and renewable energy: understand the differences
The terms Clean energyClean energy, green energy, and renewable energy are often used synonymously, but they have different meanings. Clean energy is energy that does not emit pollutants during generation, although it may have some environmental impact during the construction of power plants.
Green energy comes from entirely natural sources with minimal environmental impact. Renewable energy is produced from naturally regenerating resources. Not all renewable energy is green, but most green sources are renewable.
The use of renewable energy in Brazil
Did you know that Brazil is a leader in renewable energy in Latin America? The country's electricity grid remains one of the most sustainable in the world, with over 60% of generation coming from hydroelectric plants. The country has also accelerated wind and solar energy production, harnessing the potential of the wind and the strong sunlight that permeates virtually the entire country.
According to the National Energy Balance (BEN) 2025, published by the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) and the Energy Research Company (EPE), wind and solar sources already account for 23,7% of all electricity generated in Brazil in 2024. This means that almost a quarter of energy comes directly from nature, clean, renewable and increasingly present in the daily lives of Brazilians.
Hydroelectric power is the most traditional and accounts for a large portion of the country's electricity generation. Among the main plants are Itaipu in Paraná, Belo Monte in Pará, and Furnas in Minas Gerais, located in the Southeast, South, and North regions.
Wind energy has expanded rapidly, concentrated mainly in the Northeast, where states such as Rio Grande do Norte, Bahia, Ceará and Piauí stand out for the strength and constancy of their winds.
Solar energy is also growing rapidly, driven by the high incidence of radiation in states like Minas Gerais, Bahia, Pernambuco, and Goiás. Furthermore, distributed generation, installed on residential and business rooftops across the country, has become increasingly common.
Biomass is another important source, obtained from agricultural and industrial waste, especially sugarcane, with a greater presence in São Paulo, Mato Grosso do Sul and Paraná.
Rio Grande do Norte is an example of renewable energy
The state of Rio Grande do Norte leads the way in renewable energy production in Brazil. Major projects include the Cabeço Preto Wind Farm, the Lanchina Wind Farm, and the Calango Wind Complex.
According to the RN Electricity Sector Balance Sheet – 1st half of 2025, published by the State Secretariat for Economic Development, Science, Technology and Innovation, almost the entire state's electricity matrix comes from clean sources: 99% of the total power granted and 98,5% of the energy effectively generated comes from wind, solar, biomass and hydroelectric plants.
Wind farms in the state are located in:
- Cabeço Preto Wind Farm – João Câmara (RN) | 19,8 MW
- Lanchina Wind Farm – Tenente Laurentino Cruz (RN) | 28 MW
- Calango Wind Complex – Bodó (RN) | 150 MW
Alutal has solutions for renewable energy
Clean energy generation depends not only on the construction of new plants, but also on their reliable and efficient day-to-day operation. Alutal serves precisely this purpose, providing instrumentation and control solutions designed for the specific challenges of the Renewable Energy sector.
The company offers measurement and control solutions for a wide range of clean sources, ensuring that generation processes are correctly monitored.
Alutal's portfolio meets the critical needs of major renewable generation sources:
- hydroelectric: level monitoring and pump protection;
- Wind: lubrication control in turbines;
- Solar: monitoring of heat transfer fluids and hot water;
- Biofuel and Biogas: flow and level measurement in tanks and reactors;
- Geothermal: control in steam separators and high pressure tanks.
More than just supplying products, Alutal focuses on applying the right instrument to each challenge. The goal is to deliver reliable data that allows operators to optimize energy generation, avoid unscheduled shutdowns, and, above all, ensure process safety at each plant.
Learn more about Alutal's solutions at renewable energy and take the opportunity to follow our News.
