Types of Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is a type of energy that comes from natural resources, like the sun, earth, wind and water. Types of renewable energy are used to replace conventional fuels used in power or electricity generation, hot water and space heaters as well as transport fuels. Using renewable energy is said to be better for the environment.
There are many advantages of using renewable energy. Immediate environmental benefits such as prevention of air and water pollution, conservation of wild life and plant life, decrease in toxic waste creation and preventing global warming are only a few renewable energy advantages. Air pollution, water pollution and danger to wild life and plant life, as well as global warming are only a few of the things caused by using nuclear and fossil fuels such as coals, natural gasses and oil to make energy. Although using renewable energy also has its downsides, it is minuscule as compared to the damages nuclear fuel and fossil fuels cause. Nevertheless, proper precaution and care should be taken to mitigate the negatives of renewable energy.
There are 6 types of renewable energy; these are Hydropower, Wind Power, Biomass, Biofuel, and Solar Energy along with Geothermal energy. 10% of energy used by most countries comes from Hydropower and is the largest known source of renewable energy. Hydropower is a process by which the flow of water is manipulated to produce renewable energy. Rivers are usually the source of water used to produce hydropower. This type of renewable energy does not cause any pollution, but it can be harmful to some wild life, including that of fish and it can also alter the quality of water.
Wind Power uses the flow of air to produce renewable energy. Harnessing renewable energy from natural flow of air is achieved through the use of wind turbines or wind mills.
Another type of energy, Biomass is produced through a process called photosynthesis with the help of the sun. Plant matter produces Biomass, which is responsible for producing heat and electricity. Biomass creates a type of energy called Biofuel.
Perhaps the most popular type of renewable energy is Solar Energy. It is energy that comes directly from the sun and uses Photovoltaics (PV) to harness natural solar radiation that is converted to direct current electricity.
Renewable energy coming from directly beneath the Earth's surface is called Geothermal energy. It is produced from heat coming directly from beneath the Earth's surface such as that of steam and hot water. This type of renewable energy has been proven to be the most cost effective of all and is also known to be the most reliable source of energy there is. Learn about solar panels for your home.