Natural resources are basicall25y things or materials utilized on earth. Usually, there are two kinds of natural resources, i.e. renewable and nonrenewable resources. Renewable resources mean that they can be reused; a good example is the trees and animals. Nonrenewable means that they can’t be reused. Mostly, nonrenewable resources are found in the ground. They are non-living things, which are hard to find. A good example includes; coal, natural gas, and oil. Additionally, minerals utilized in making metals are as well a good example of a nonrenewable resource. So are both kinds of resources beneficial to humans? People utilize both kinds of resources to develop things they want or need. Our clothing, foods, homes; plastics are exclusively made from natural resources.
Copper In Renewable Energy
Copper plays an integral role in the renewable energy sector. Since it is a great electrical and thermal conductor, power energy that uses copper produces high-efficiency energy with reduced environmental impacts. Utilization of copper rather than other metals helps to generate electricity that meets power demand. So what is the role of copper in the renewable energy generation?
The blend of copper’s high heat conductivity, ease of fabrication, mechanical strength, resistance to aqueous corrosion and atmosphere, sealability, and mechanical longevity offers a significant advantage over the other metals in the solar power applications.
The basic utilization of copper in the generation of wind energy is in the coil windings done on the rotor and stator section of the generator, transformer coil, high-volt cables, and for earthing.
- Photovoltaics
Copper is utilized as a part of the materials in the photovoltaic solar cells, earthing, transformer, cabling, inverter, and photovoltaic cell ribbons.
How Is Copper Applied?
- Wire and cables
The conductivity of copper is approximately as twice as that of aluminium. This makes it a better material option for high energy applications. Copper wire has been a preferred option in the main cables utilized in telecommunication and power. A combination of high conductivity material with ductility characteristics, easily soldered, and durable connection makes coffer a preferred option. It is actually compatible with almost all insulation materials; however, its resistance to oxidation implies that it can as well be utilized without surface protection.
- Motor windings and transformer
Copper utilized in the making of motor windings is basically in the wire form for small items and strip for larger items. For instance, for the small items like magnetic wire, the wire should be sturdy enough to prevent breakage, flexible to offer close-packed windings. For strip items, the surface quality should be good enough to avoid the breakage of the insulating enamels under voltage. Great ductility is important for the strip to be designed and packed. Furthermore, great strength is required to hold high electro-mechanical stress designed irregular short-circuit situations. The features required for the motor windings are the same compared to the ones required for the transformer; however, with extra requirements to hold mechanical vibration and forces at working temperatures.
- Busbars
Busbars are strong conductors that work as electrical manifolds to transfer power energy from one source to many users. Due to its strength, ductility, conductivity, connectivity, and oxidation resistance, copper is undoubtedly the material to utilize in the manufacture of busbars. To create these busbars, copper billets of high conductivity are hot pushed out through a cross-section and drawn down to the required finished size.
- Electronic equipment
Although the application of copper is relatively small in this sector, copper plays a significant role in high-tech applications. Copper-base or copper alloys are utilized in electronic connectors, in printed circuit boards, and in lead-frames.
Which Metals Are Renewable Resources?
Normally, metals like tin, aluminium, silver, copper, lead, and gold are elements. They’re actually nonrenewable. Steel is created using iron, hence, it is as well nonrenewable. Iron, aluminium, and titanium are the popular three elements commonly used in the Earth’s crust.
Although the resources and elements that are used to make metal items are nonrenewable, metal can actually be reused. This makes it a blend of nonrenewable and renewable classification. Other recyclable metals are zinc, tin, brass, magnesium, and lead. Several of these metals can be reused endlessly, to exclude the need for virgin resources.