Although renewable energy is not the only form of clean energy, it is an important and necessary component. Renewable energy sources are natural or created from naturally occurring materials that are replenished so that they can be used again. There are a variety of renewable energies available, each with its benefits. Here are some of the common types of renewables sources and what makes them unique in comparison to non-renewables such as fossil fuels.
Types of Renewable Energy Sources
1. Wind Energy
Wind energy is generated by wind moving across a surface, creating wind energy. Wind generators are used to turn the movement of the wind into usable electricity. Wind generators are usually placed on a hill or mountaintop and require very little maintenance once constructed, with only occasional cleaning of the turbine blades.
Although these turbines are efficient, they have one major drawback; noise. These massive turbines can make major noise that can interfere with local wildlife and even people living near these installations. Also, they require large amounts of space to be installed and maintenance.
2. Solar Power
Solar power is generated when sunlight hits an object, converting it into heat energy that can then be converted into electricity using a solar panel. Solar panels come in many shapes and sizes depending on the amount of sunlight available for the panels to function properly. This has some advantages as well, with one major drawback; cost.
With a solar panel, the solar panels use some expensive materials that are often made from rare materials such as glass and copper. The cost of these materials is astronomical, which makes it almost impossible for other people to develop sustainable energy using solar power.
3. Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectric power comes from moving water, which is created from dams within rivers or lakes as opposed to wind or solar wind turbines. Hydroelectric power is created by the hydroelectric dam, which allows water to move through turbines, converting the kinetic energy into electrical energy. The turbine is then connected to a generator and electricity is created.
Although this process sounds simple, it can be very destructive to the environment, causing fish migration and damming that often causes a loss of habitat for many species of animals. Also, building a dam and flooding valleys is highly destructive and expensive.
4. Geothermal Energy
This type of renewable energy is very popular in areas near volcanoes, where steam and hot water can be used to power turbines. This type of renewable energy has less impact on the environment than hydroelectric dams, as it does not involve flooding valleys or destroying habitats. However, it is hard to make use of steam and hot springs frequently to build a sustainable power plant.
5. Biofuel
Biofuels are energy sources that come from living organisms or organic matter. This type of power is renewable, as the organic matter will keep on reproducing and growing, allowing for biofuel to be used continuously without worry. Biobutanol and ethanol are two common biofuels that have been implemented in many people’s daily lives through their cars, as they can be converted into gasoline to be used in combustion engines. However, these biofuels have detrimental effects on the environment, as they can cause soil erosion and use up valuable resources.
6. Geothermal heat pumps
Geothermal heat pumps are a process by which water and hydrothermal energy are used to create heat for heating and cooling purposes. The water is pumped up in a geothermal well to be heated by the natural process of the earth. The heat is then pumped up to a home in which the water is used to produce heat, forcing the warm water out through a pipe.
7. Photovoltaic Energy
Photovoltaic (PV) cells are usually used as solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity via semiconductors and photovoltaic materials. These photovoltaic cells are very expensive, with large sizes and small efficiency ratings costing thousands of dollars per unit.
Advantages of Using Renewable Energies
1. They are Eco-Friendly
Renewable energy sources help reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
There are a few types of renewable energies that have very little impact on the environment: wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. Because these options do not involve building dams and reservoirs or destroying habitats for animals, they cause less pollution and greenhouse gas emissions than other types of energy.
2. They are Renewable
Renewable energies such as solar and wind power are considered renewable. This means that they will always be there, unlike non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels. Fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas, give off carbon dioxide when they burn, which is released into the environment to contribute global warming. However, since solar and wind do not involve burning at all, they do not release any harmful gases into the air or atmosphere.
3. They are Sustainable
Renewable energies do not deplete the resources of the earth and are sustainable since they are not rare or limited to one area of the earth. Renewable energies such as hydroelectricity, solar power, and wind power will also help to harness energy from natural resources in countries that have these renewable sources available. This will allow other countries to use other forms of electricity, too.
4. They Offer Independence
Renewable energies are powerful since they can be used by individuals, families, communities, and countries. With the proper knowledge and resources, people can use renewable energies to power their homes with solar panels or wind turbines to become independent from the electric companies.
Conclusion
These are only a few of the many renewable energy sources that can be used to help power our lives and our homes. Many of these renewable resources can be used in combination with each other, such as wind turbines and solar panels together, or with all of them together. These options are a great way to help reduce waste in the environment and keep our planet safe for generations to come.
Although renewable energy is not the only form of clean energy, it is an important and necessary component. Renewable energy sources are natural or created from naturally occurring materials that are replenished so that they can be used again. There are a variety of renewable energies available, each with its benefits. Here are some of the common types of renewables sources and what makes them unique in comparison to non-renewables such as fossil fuels.
Types of Renewable Energy Sources
1. Wind Energy
Wind energy is generated by wind moving across a surface, creating wind energy. Wind generators are used to turn the movement of the wind into usable electricity. Wind generators are usually placed on a hill or mountaintop and require very little maintenance once constructed, with only occasional cleaning of the turbine blades.
Although these turbines are efficient, they have one major drawback; noise. These massive turbines can make major noise that can interfere with local wildlife and even people living near these installations. Also, they require large amounts of space to be installed and maintenance.
2. Solar Power
Solar power is generated when sunlight hits an object, converting it into heat energy that can then be converted into electricity using a solar panel. Solar panels come in many shapes and sizes depending on the amount of sunlight available for the panels to function properly. This has some advantages as well, with one major drawback; cost.
With a solar panel, the solar panels use some expensive materials that are often made from rare materials such as glass and copper. The cost of these materials is astronomical, which makes it almost impossible for other people to develop sustainable energy using solar power.
3. Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectric power comes from moving water, which is created from dams within rivers or lakes as opposed to wind or solar wind turbines. Hydroelectric power is created by the hydroelectric dam, which allows water to move through turbines, converting the kinetic energy into electrical energy. The turbine is then connected to a generator and electricity is created.
Although this process sounds simple, it can be very destructive to the environment, causing fish migration and damming that often causes a loss of habitat for many species of animals. Also, building a dam and flooding valleys is highly destructive and expensive.
4. Geothermal Energy
This type of renewable energy is very popular in areas near volcanoes, where steam and hot water can be used to power turbines. This type of renewable energy has less impact on the environment than hydroelectric dams, as it does not involve flooding valleys or destroying habitats. However, it is hard to make use of steam and hot springs frequently to build a sustainable power plant.
5. Biofuel
Biofuels are energy sources that come from living organisms or organic matter. This type of power is renewable, as the organic matter will keep on reproducing and growing, allowing for biofuel to be used continuously without worry. Biobutanol and ethanol are two common biofuels that have been implemented in many people’s daily lives through their cars, as they can be converted into gasoline to be used in combustion engines. However, these biofuels have detrimental effects on the environment, as they can cause soil erosion and use up valuable resources.
6. Geothermal heat pumps
Geothermal heat pumps are a process by which water and hydrothermal energy are used to create heat for heating and cooling purposes. The water is pumped up in a geothermal well to be heated by the natural process of the earth. The heat is then pumped up to a home in which the water is used to produce heat, forcing the warm water out through a pipe.
7. Photovoltaic Energy
Photovoltaic (PV) cells are usually used as solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity via semiconductors and photovoltaic materials. These photovoltaic cells are very expensive, with large sizes and small efficiency ratings costing thousands of dollars per unit.
Advantages of Using Renewable Energies
1. They are Eco-Friendly
Renewable energy sources help reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
There are a few types of renewable energies that have very little impact on the environment: wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. Because these options do not involve building dams and reservoirs or destroying habitats for animals, they cause less pollution and greenhouse gas emissions than other types of energy.
2. They are Renewable
Renewable energies such as solar and wind power are considered renewable. This means that they will always be there, unlike non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels. Fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas, give off carbon dioxide when they burn, which is released into the environment to contribute global warming. However, since solar and wind do not involve burning at all, they do not release any harmful gases into the air or atmosphere.
3. They are Sustainable
Renewable energies do not deplete the resources of the earth and are sustainable since they are not rare or limited to one area of the earth. Renewable energies such as hydroelectricity, solar power, and wind power will also help to harness energy from natural resources in countries that have these renewable sources available. This will allow other countries to use other forms of electricity, too.
4. They Offer Independence
Renewable energies are powerful since they can be used by individuals, families, communities, and countries. With the proper knowledge and resources, people can use renewable energies to power their homes with solar panels or wind turbines to become independent from the electric companies.
Conclusion
These are only a few of the many renewable energy sources that can be used to help power our lives and our homes. Many of these renewable resources can be used in combination with each other, such as wind turbines and solar panels together, or with all of them together. These options are a great way to help reduce waste in the environment and keep our planet safe for generations to come.
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