Renewable Energy Overview

As political and economic aspects of fossil fuelsinertia and stored energy. Unfortunately, the
grow more harrowing, renewable energy is gainingtsunami in Asia was a perfect example. On a less
popularity. Here's an overview of renewabledisastrous front, man has learned to use the
energy.power of moving water to produce electricity.
Renewable Energy OverviewThe first, and most common, use is in the form
Renewable energy is more difficult to define thanof hydropower. Mostly seen on large-scale
you might imagine. Since it is a catchall phrase forprojects, hydropower typically is used in the form
a variety of energy sources, any definition has toof dams. A dam is placed in a river, creating a
be broad. With this in mind, let's define renewablereservoir. Using gravity, water is then released
energy as any energy source that naturallythrough pipes in the dam. The moving water spins
occurs and is very abundant.turbines, producing massive amounts of electricity.
Ironically, almost all renewable energy sources relyTidal power has been on the books for a long
on nuclear power. Fortunately, the nuclear powertime, but hasn't been seen in large-scale projects.
is in the form of the sun at the heart of our solarThis is beginning to change. The basic idea is very
system. One giant nuclear reaction, the sunsimilar to hydropower. Depending on the system
produces solar radiation and sunlight that isbeing used, pipes with large turbines are placed in
converted on our planet into energy throughstrong tidal areas. As the tide changes, massive
natural resources. In one form or another, sunlightamounts of water move to and fro in the pipes
is the basis for solar power, wind energy, biomassspinning the turbines and producing energy.
power, and so on. Fossil fuels, on the other hand,Although the tides move relatively slowly, the
are a form of biomass energy, but an ancient onecontain massive amounts of energy. Once
with resource limits and brutal side effects in thethought an odd energy idea, tidal energy is coming
form of pollutants.on strong as an energy platform in Europe.
Solar Energy is the most basic and direct form ofGeothermal energy is a form of energy using the
renewable energy. Depending on the type ofinherent warmth of the ground to create power
platform used, sunlight is converted directly intoin primarily the form of heat. Roughly six to
electricity or heat. Solar energy is considered aseven feet below the surface of the ground, the
renewable energy because it will exist for as longtemperature of the Earth is regulated. By
as the sun, which should be over 4 billion years.exchanging liquids between above and below
Once the sun burns out, we will have much largerground areas, temperature regulation can be
problems than energy!achieved. This is mostly seen in residential
Wind energy is another form of solar power. Windsituations.
is created when the sun heats up different areasBiomass energy is a renewable energy source,
of the surface of the Earth at different rates.but not necessarily a clean one. Biomass is simply
You inherently are aware of this if you thinkorganic materials such as manure, corn and so on.
about the temperature differences when standingThe idea behind biomass energy is to convert the
on a black parking lot versus grass in a park. Heatchemical energy in the biomass into usable power.
rises and so does hot air. Air above a hot surfaceThis often occurs by burning it, which is
will rise and colder air from surrounding areas willproblematic since doing so causes pollution. It also
rush into to fill the void. This temperature-inducedhas to be grown, harvested and converted into
movement creates wind in its most basic form.power. Of all the renewable energy sources,
To take advantage of the energy, man hasbiomass is the least attractive.
produced windmills and turbines that convert theWe have a lot of options when it comes to
energy into electricity. Modern wind turbines arekicking the fossil fuel habit. Although there is a
between 25 and 35 percent efficient atchance one of these options will become
converting wind energy into electricity. Winddominant, it is more likely that a combination of all
power is now the fastest growing energythe above renewable energy platforms will be the
platform in the world.answer.
When water moves, it tends to carry a lot of