Quluzada A.S.
TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES OF AZERBAIJAN *
Аннотация:
the scientific work examines the traditional and alternative energy sources of Azerbaijan. Due to its geographical location, Azerbaijan is also rich in traditional and alternative energy. It has significant natural resources, including oil and gas fields, mineral deposits and mineral waters. Oil and gas production and processing, petrochemical, chemical and other industries are developed. The country needs to use energy resources efficiently. Modernization of the oil and gas sector and petrochemical industry, diversification and development of the non-oil industry, expansion of the use of alternative and renewable energy sources affect the efficient use of energy resources.
Ключевые слова:
solar energy, alternative energy, traditional energy, oil gas, non-renewable resources
DOI 10.24412/2712-8849-2024-1281-1940-1945
Non-renewable energy is derived from resources that are depleted or will not be renewed. Most non-renewable energy sources are fossil fuels, which are coal, oil, and natural gas. Carbon is the main element in fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are a valuable source of energy. They are relatively cheap to extract. They can also be stored, pipelined, or shipped anywhere in the world. However, burning fossil fuels is harmful to the environment. When coal and oil are burned, they release particles that can pollute the air, water, and soil. Burning fossil fuels also disrupts the balance of carbon in the ocean, on Earth, and in the air.When fossil fuels are burned (heated), they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a gas that helps trap heat in the Earths atmosphere, a process called the "greenhouse effect." The greenhouse effect is essential for life on Earth, provided there is a balanced volume of carbon [1].Coal is a flammable black or brownish-black sedimentary rock that forms in layers of rock called coal seams. Coal is mostly carbon, but it also contains varying amounts of other elements, such as hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen. Coal is formed when dead plant matter turns into peat, which is formed by the heat and pressure of deep burial over millions of years. As of 2021, coal continues to be an important fuel, providing about a quarter of the worlds primary energy and two-fifths of electricity.Petroleum, also known as crude oil, is a naturally occurring, yellowish-black liquid found in geological formations beneath the Earths surface. It can often be converted into a variety of fuel types. The components of petroleum are separated using a technique called fractional distillation. It consists of naturally occurring hydrocarbons of varying molecular weights and may contain a variety of organic compounds. As a term, petroleum encompasses both naturally occurring, unprocessed crude oil and petroleum products, which are refined crude oil. Petroleum, a fossil fuel, was formed when large amounts of dead organisms, mostly zooplankton and algae, were buried beneath sedimentary rocks and subjected to intense heat and pressure.Petroleum is most commonly obtained through oil drilling. Drilling is done after structural geology, sedimentary basin analysis, and reservoir characterization studies. Recent technological advances have led to the exploitation of other unconventional reserves such as oil sands and shale. After extraction, the oil is refined and separated, most easily by distillation, into a large number of products for direct use or for use in manufacturing, such as gasoline, diesel, and kerosene, asphalt, and chemical reagents used in plastics, pharmaceuticals, and medicines. Petroleum is used in the production of a wide variety of materials, and it is estimated that the world consumes approximately 100 million barrels of oil each day. Natural gas is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, but often containing varying amounts of other higher alkanes, and sometimes small amounts of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, or helium. It was formed by the intense heat and pressure of decaying plant and animal layers below the Earths surface over millions of years. The energy that plants initially extract from the sun is stored in the gas in the form of chemical bonds. Natural gas remains trapped in underground reservoirs and consists mostly of methane. Natural gas is found in deposits several hundred meters below the surface. Companies drill to extract natural gas from the ground. Natural gas is trapped in rock formations that can extend for miles. To access natural gas, some companies use a process called fracking. This means hydraulics, water, and fracturing. The process uses high-pressure water to break apart rock underground. This releases natural gas trapped in the rock formations. If the rock is very hard, acid can be dropped into the well to dissolve the rock. Small grains of glass or sand can also be used to break up the rock and release the gas [2].Nuclear is a clean energy source with zero emissions. It generates power through fission, the process of splitting uranium atoms to produce energy. The heat released by fission is used to create steam that turns a turbine to produce electricity without the harmful byproducts of fossil fuels.Azerbaijans main energy resources are located in the Caspian Sea. Although oil and natural gas are extracted in some places outside the Caspian Sea, most of all energy resources are generally obtained from the Caspian Sea. In this regard, Azerbaijans energy resources can be divided into oil and natural gas reserves.In the early 1990s, after the collapse of the USSR and the emergence of new independent states around the Caspian Sea, a new era began in the development of hydrocarbon resources in the Caspian. The newly established countries announced international offers for oil production, and some international companies showed interest in cooperating in this direction. Numerous agreements were signed. The estimated oil reserves of the Caspian region range from 17 to 250 billion barrels.The following methods are used to extract oil from oil fields in the Caspian Sea [3]:- drying of the offshore field (an example is the drilling of the oil fields "Bibiheybat" and "Karadag"),- creation of individual offshore bases at sea (May 28, etc.),- construction of special structures on the open sea or offshore.Azerbaijan is one of the most favorable regions in terms of gas reserves. The presence of rich gas reserves here led to the creation of the Azerbaijani gas industry and a single gas network in the middle of the 20th century. However, the economic revival increased the demand for natural gas here, and the country at certain times met its need for this energy carrier by purchasing additional fuel from the unified gas system of the Soviet Union. Due to the collapse of the Union, the country had to meet its demand for natural gas from local sources. In the 1990s, the gas produced in the country (5589.5 thousand m3 in 1998) was below demand. The expansion of new oil and gas fields, the efficient use of existing resources soon solved this problem, and Azerbaijan became a gas exporter. In particular, in 1990, the Shah Deniz well was drilled by the Azerbaijan State Oil Company (SOCAR) in the Shah Deniz field and gas was supplied to Azerbaijan.Fortunately, the country is showing more interest in alternative energy sources. Azerbaijan is a country rich in renewable energy sources. Wind, which blows more than 250 days a year and can produce 2.4 billion kWh of electricity per year, is the countrys preferred option due to its low cost, environmental friendliness and unlimited availability. Azerbaijan, which provides 2,400-3,200 hours of sunlight per year, also has good potential for solar energy and heat production [4].Traditional energy sources are not renewable, and the existing infrastructure of the oil and gas industry is modern. Therefore, Azerbaijan invests in renewable energy sources. There are many state programs and discounts for entrepreneurs who want to invest in this sector. The previously determined strategic direction is systematized as follows. One of them is the "State program on the use of alternative and renewable energy sources", signed in 2004, which helps develop and effectively use alternative energy sources. In 2005, another state program, the "State Program on the Use of Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources for 2009-2013", led to the establishment of the Alternative and Renewable Energy Agency (ABEMDA) in 2009. One of the largest investments in this sector is the Gobustan experimental range, launched in 2011, which includes a 5.5 MW hybrid station and distribution center. This range helps to provide solar energy to the town of Gobustan [5].Azerbaijan has a great potential to establish a renewable and alternative energy industry, but today this industry is not very developed. Most of the countrys regions use oil and gas. The creation of alternative energy sources will contribute to solving the energy problem in the country. Therefore, Europe can be a good partner for Azerbaijan to develop its renewable and alternative energy source industry. In this case, there are many perspectives, because today Europe is still a leader in renewable and alternative energy. The European Energy Security aims to develop the renewable energy industry, invest in other countries, establish new partnerships. Azerbaijan has good renewable energy resources. Azerbaijan can benefit from the European Union R&D strategy, Innovation policy in terms of implementing innovation policies outlined in the National Energy Strategy. Europe is quite developed in innovation and Research and Development (R&D). Considering that Azerbaijan aims to develop an alternative energy sector, EU researchers, competitiveness, practical experience in innovation can help Azerbaijan implement its national policy. Over the past few years, significant efforts have been made in Azerbaijan in the field of alternative and renewable energy sources. Azerbaijan is rich in such resources, and their development is a priority for the country. According to the Decree of the President of Azerbaijan dated February 1, 2013, a limited company called Azalternativeenergy was established within the Azerbaijan State of Alternative and Renewable Energy Resources. In addition, the Strategy for the Development of Alternative and Renewable Energy Resources is in the process of being adopted. Currently, there are several production units producing solar panels and collectors. At the same time, solar and wind power plants are being built in various regions of the country. In accordance with the Presidential Decree issued in 2009 on additional measures for the development of alternative and renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan, one million manat (two million manat in total) was allocated to both Azerenerji OSC and the Ministry of Industry and Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Azerenerji OSC spent on determining the areas for these hydroelectric power plants and studying the hydrological parameters of rivers. The main objective at this stage is to obtain information about the existing renewable energy sources in the country, conduct relevant analyses, verify the sustainability of the alternative and renewable energy approach, and review various development options. Azerbaijan has a great natural potential for the development of the renewable energy sector, especially solar, wind and hydroelectric power plants. This potential has already been used, and significant work is being done to develop the sector. The obstacles to more active use of renewable energy sources are the lack of a strong institutional regulatory framework to support renewable energy sources and the lack of a special tariff incentive to promote renewable energy. With the support of the state and international development partners, progress is being made in the development of renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan. As a traditional energy source and prevention of environmental pollution, limited hydrocarbon resources need to increase the amount of energy produced by alternative and renewable energy sources in the world. There is already positive experience in this area, and the use of solar, wind and other clean and renewable energy sources is increasing in some countries.
Номер журнала Вестник науки №12 (81) том 3
Ссылка для цитирования:
Quluzada A.S. TRADITIONAL AND ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES OF AZERBAIJAN // Вестник науки №12 (81) том 3. С. 1940 - 1945. 2024 г. ISSN 2712-8849 // Электронный ресурс: https://www.вестник-науки.рф/article/19980 (дата обращения: 08.07.2025 г.)
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