Renewable energy sources that are powering our future 

Partnership Post

Renewable energy uses energy sources that are found in and replenished by nature. For example, solar energy uses the sun, hydropower uses the water, geothermal uses the earth’s heat.

Why is renewable energy important to our country’s and the world’s future? Because if we continue to only use fossil fuels to heat and power our homes, our companies, and fuel our cars, eventually these energy sources will run out. Renewable energy will also help us develop energy independence and not rely on other countries for our resources. Here are 6 different types of renewable energy.

Hydropower

Hydropower takes energy from flowing water and converts it into electricity. Hydropower is a clean fuel source, unlike burning coal or oil. Hydropower is an important renewable energy source because the water is constantly renewed by the sun making it more reliable and affordable. The hydropower industry not only provides essential back up power during unexpected outages, but they also assist in flood control, irrigation, and water supply, essential to our communities.

Solar Power

Solar power, a powerful source of renewable energy, uses energy from the sun. Solar energy is clean energy and much better for the environment than burning coal and oil. There are a variety of technologies used to convert sunlight into energy, one being solar photovoltaic. This technology converts sunlight directly into electricity to heat, cool and light our businesses, homes, and towns. Solar energy is being used to diversify energy sources and improve efficiency.

Wind Power

Wind energy and wind power are clean, renewable energy sources that use the wind to generate electricity using air flow through wind turbines. Wind turbines, like aircraft propeller blades, convert kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical power. The wind turns the blades, that connects to a generator and creates electricity. Wind power is another renewable energy source and is not harmful to the environment.

Biomass Energy

Biomass energy is renewable energy created by any organic matter like trees, plants, industrial sources, feedstock, and organic waste. After hydropower, biomass is America’s second-leading resource of renewable energy. Some power plants that traditionally use coal are replacing some coal with biomass as a cost-effective option that is also cleaner and more environmental friendly than coal.

Tidal Power

Tidal power uses the power of the ocean’s tides and the gravitational pull from the sun and moon that pulls water upwards while gravity pulls the water down. This predictable water movement is a form of kinetic energy and one of the newer renewable energy forms. Tidal power is exciting because it emits zero greenhouse gases into the air. The verdict is still out on the effect of the oceans’ habitat but research is continually weighing the pros and cons.

Geothermal Power

Geothermal energy is an environmentally friendly and extremely renewable energy source. It’s the heat that is trapped beneath the ground that creates hot, high pressure to make power. Geothermal heat has been used for many years. For example, the ancient Romans used underground springs to cook, bathe in and even for underfloor heating. Today, it is being used to generate electricity and heat buildings.