Simply put, renewable energy is an energy that is collected from renewable resources. These resources are constantly replenished. Some examples include sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves and geothermal heat.
Although a lot of people think this technology is new, in the past we’ve relied on nature’s power for heating, transportastion, lighting and more. But since the Industrial Revolution, humans have been using more affordable energy sources such as coal and other fossil fuels.
Since the beginning of time, people have used energy made by river currents through dams that control water flow. It is the biggest source of renewable energy and can be replenished by both rain and snow. Currently, there are a lot of projects around the world whose goal is to capture the ocean’s natural rhythms, hoping to use tides and waves as a more sustainable choice.
In the olden days, people used to rely on wind to sail around the globe or to power windmills. Today, wind turbines are growing in popularity, as their impact on the environment is low and are a more eco-friendly alternative.
Solar power is the most discussed form of renewable energy source there is. It can be collected in several different ways, from solar farms to home rooftops. It can be used to not only produce electricity, but also to produce thermal energy for heating water and controlling temperature. Though a lot is being done in this field, solar power still has a long way to go.
Biomass energy is energy derived from biofuels like ethanol, biodiesel, biogas from landfills, wood, wood waste and municipal solid waste. It can be used to fuel vehicles, heat buildings and produce electricity. However, there are a lot of issues that come with biomass energy. If not properly recycled and contained, it can create more pollution than fossil fuels.
This sort of renewable energy comes from underground reservoirs of steam and hot water. It can be used to generate electricity or for controlling temperatures. This sort of energy is always available, unlike solar or wind power which can be affected by the changes in weather.
Though renewable energy produces only a tiny amount of the world’s energy production, many are seeking to invest in these technologies as these energy sources do not emit carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gases. Furthermore, as fossil fuels are a limited resource which is rapidly being depleted, scientists around the world agree that we need to collectively invest more in renewable energy.
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