So you’ve decided to take part in the renewable energy revolution. You want to reduce your carbon footprint, save money on energy costs and help out Mother Earth. Good for you. Now the question is, where to start?
There are so many renewable energy sources to choose from — solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, wave, tidal and biomass. And then there are the different methods of harnessing each kind of energy source, from the old-fashioned to the cutting edge. But don’t worry — you don’t have to make any big decisions right now. The best place to start is with a little education.
Solar power is one of the most popular choices for renewable energy sources. Solar energy harnesses the sun’s energy by using solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity directly. Solar panels can be used to power your home, your car, or even provide electricity to whole communities.
Benefits of Renewable Energy
The world is facing a serious problem with regards to energy, and we need to find a way to make sure that our energy needs are met for the long term.
The issue is that we are slowly using up our non-renewable resources, and once they’re gone, we’re going to be stuck using renewable sources. But what are these renewable sources, and what do we use them for?
While the world has been using non-renewable resources to produce energy for generations, there are some interesting benefits to using renewable energy instead. For one thing, renewable energy does not have the same adverse effects on the environment in the long term.
Oil exploration can cause a lot of pollution in the area where it is happening, which can also negatively affect plant and animal species in the region. Burning fossil fuels for power can produce even more pollution.
Five types of renewable energy sources: best alternatives to fossil fuels
It’s generally agreed that worldwide demand for energy is still growing. Fossil fuels are incredibly useful, as they are convenient, portable and easy to access. However, the world is quickly coming to the realization that fossil fuels are not only harmful to the environment, but they are also finite.
To solve this problem, many are now seeking out renewable alternatives to fossil fuels. But what are the best renewable energy sources?
As we move towards a more sustainable, secure future, we are looking to the natural world to provide solutions to our growing energy needs.
The five most common sources of renewable energy are wind, water, solar, biomass and geothermal.
The most common type is wind, which includes both wind power and water power (hydroelectricity). Solar power is the next most common, followed by biomass, solar thermal and geothermal.
Solar Energy
Solar energy is a type of energy that can be harvested directly from the sun’s rays. This is a form of energy that comes without any pollution to the environment or any health concerns to the consumers. Solar energy has been around for a long time, but only recently has it been considered a viable option for providing energy to the general population.
This means that solar energy is a clean, renewable and natural source of energy that comes from the sun.
Solar power is also called photovoltaic (PV) energy. Solar power is generated by silicon solar cells, which are semiconductors that use light to generate electricity.
Solar PV panels are usually installed on rooftops, where it can capture sunlight most directly. It can also be installed on the ground or on a building’s walls, such as in solar power plants.
Windpower, a Renewable Energy
Wind power is a renewable energy source that can produce electricity without producing any carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. It also does not produce any air emissions or water pollution. It uses the wind to spin turbines connected to electrical generators.
Technically, wind is created by uneven heating of the atmosphere by the sun, the irregularities of the earth’s surface, and rotation of the earth. This process causes air to move from one region to another. Wind power is a renewable energy source that can produce electricity without producing any carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases.
It also does not produce any air emissions or water pollution. It uses the wind to spin turbines connected to electrical generators.
Hydro-Electric Power
Hydroelectric power is an abundant and clean energy source that can be harnessed to provide a large amount of electricity to homes, schools and businesses.
Hydroelectric power is generated when a dam is built across a large river, and the water is allowed to flow through the dam and down a pipe to a turbine. The turbine then spins, creating energy. An average-sized hydroelectric plant can produce enough electricity to power around 500,000 homes in the United States.
Hydroelectric power is the term used to describe electricity produced from the movement of water. This method of electrical power generation is particularly useful for mountainous regions, as the turbines can be placed near the top of a watershed and use the high elevation to generate electricity.
Although hydroelectric power plants are more expensive to build due to the higher elevation required, they are more cost-efficient as the water is available for free.
Biomass Energy in the World
Biomass Energy is a renewable energy source. It is derived from recently living organisms. Biomass Energy can be used directly, or converted into other forms of energy.
Biomass Energy is a renewable energy source. It is derived from recently living organisms. Biomass Energy can be used directly, or converted into other forms of energy.
While biomass energy has been around for centuries, and has been used by humans for cooking and heating homes, and in some cases to power machinery, its commercial use is a relatively new phenomenon.
As the need for a cleaner, sustainable alternative to fossil fuels becomes increasingly important, governments and private enterprises are turning to biomass energy, which is an abundant renewable resource, to help power the world.
Geothermal Power as a Renewable Energy
Geothermal power is heat energy stored in the Earth.” That is a definition that makes it sound like tapping into the power of the Earth is the environmentally sound thing to do, but is it really?
In many regions geothermal power is seen as the most environmentally friendly source of power. It doesn’t cause pollution but it does have some effect on the planet.
The idea of using the earth’s natural heat to generate power isn’t a new one. Geothermal energy is used to heat and cool homes, grow food, and generate electricity in places like Iceland, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
Here in the U.S., geothermal energy is a $2 billion industry, and it is becoming a more viable option as companies expand drilling operations into new areas of the country.
Last Words
The world is going green, and so should you! Renewable energy is becoming more accessible than ever before and there are a lot of ways you can get involved. By using renewable energy, you can reduce your impact on the environment and lower your energy bills. Whether you decide to install solar panels, electric vehicle (EV) chargers, a smart thermostat or switch to a green energy provider, there are many clean energy choices that will help you to achieve your green energy goals.
