Renewable Energy Overview

As political and economic aspects of fossil fuelsWhen water moves, it tends to carry a lot of
grow more harrowing, renewable energy is gaininginertia and stored energy. Unfortunately, the
popularity. Here's an overview of renewabletsunami in Asia was a perfect example. On a less
energy.disastrous front, man has learned to use the
Renewable Energy Overviewpower of moving water to produce electricity.
Renewable energy is more difficult to define thanThe first, and most common, use is in the form
you might imagine. Since it is a catchall phrase forof hydropower. Mostly seen on large-scale
a variety of energy sources, any definition has toprojects, hydropower typically is used in the form
be broad. With this in mind, let's define renewableof dams. A dam is placed in a river, creating a
energy as any energy source that naturallyreservoir. Using gravity, water is then released
occurs and is very abundant.through pipes in the dam. The moving water spins
Ironically, almost all renewable energy sources relyturbines, producing massive amounts of electricity.
on nuclear power. Fortunately, the nuclear powerTidal power has been on the books for a long
is in the form of the sun at the heart of our solartime, but hasn't been seen in large-scale projects.
system. One giant nuclear reaction, the sunThis is beginning to change. The basic idea is very
produces solar radiation and sunlight that issimilar to hydropower. Depending on the system
converted on our planet into energy throughbeing used, pipes with large turbines are placed in
natural resources. In one form or another, sunlightstrong tidal areas. As the tide changes, massive
is the basis for solar power, wind energy, biomassamounts of water move to and fro in the pipes
power, and so on. Fossil fuels, on the other hand,spinning the turbines and producing energy.
are a form of biomass energy, but an ancient oneAlthough the tides move relatively slowly, the
with resource limits and brutal side effects in thecontain massive amounts of energy. Once
form of pollutants.thought an odd energy idea, tidal energy is coming
Renewable Energy Facts - Typeson 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.