What is Renewable Energy? | Types, Definition, Structure, Function & Facts
What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy uses an energy source that is not “exhausted”. For example, solar energy from the sun is renewable because we won’t “use” all the light from the sun. Examples of non-renewable energy sources include fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum. Once we use or burn these resources, they are gone forever.
Why is Renewable Energy Important?
Much of the world depends on non-renewable energy to heat homes, power electronics, and power cars. Once these energy sources are exhausted, they are gone forever. The development of technologies capable of using renewable energy sources efficiently is essential for our future.
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The Environment
Many renewable energy sources are also better for the environment than burning fossil fuels. They create less pollution, which will help protect the environment and provide us with cleaner air and water.
Major Types of Renewable Energy
Wind power – Large wind turbines generate electricity from wind power.
Solar Energy – The sun’s rays can help heat a building or swimming pool. They can also be converted into electricity using solar cells.
Hydroelectricity – Water from a dam or river can be used to turn turbines and generate electricity.
Wave and Tidal Energy – This new technology is investigating ways to harness the immense power of ocean waves and tides.
Geothermal Energy – Heat from the Earth’s interior can be used to heat homes and buildings with heat pumps. Water vapor from the Earth’s interior can also be used to generate electricity.
Biomass Energy – Plants obtain energy from the sun through photosynthesis. We can harness this energy by burning plants such as trees as well as by making plant-based fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. Even gases from waste and fertilizers can be used to generate energy.
Fun Facts About Renewable Energy
Half of the electricity in the United States is still produced by burning coal. Coal burning is a major source of carbon dioxide.
A single large wind turbine used instead of burning coal could prevent the emission of 5,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year.
In 2008, only about 10% of the world’s energy came from renewable sources.
The United States has about 5% of the world’s population, but consumes 26% of the world’s energy.
About 28% of the energy used in the United States is for transportation. In 2010, the whole country had about 9 million cars using biofuel.
If you could harness the energy of all the sunlight hitting the Earth for one hour, you would have enough energy to power the world for a year.
About 50% of renewable energy is used for electricity generation.