An Introduction To The Different Types Of Renewable Energy

By Alexis Jameson

With dwindling supplies of fossil fuels and a rapidly rising population, humanity is starting to turn to renewable energy sources. Such sources of energy come from the natural functions of the earth, are cleaner for the environment, and, of course, we don't need to worry about the running out. Renewable energy is derived from forces created by water, sunlight, wind and geothermal energy, which utilises the natural heat of the planet Earth.

One of the more obvious forms of renewable energy is basically the burning of word to supply heat and light which still accounts for a large amount of energy used around the world today. Hydroelectricity is a market that is constantly growing, supplying almost 20 per cent of the world's electrical power.

Wind power is one form of energy becoming increasingly popular, especially in Europe. This has however, become a controversial form of energy supply. This is because the turbines used to generate the power do not produce enough power unless there are going to be a very large number of them. These "wind farms" take an enormous amount of space and can severely degraded local environment due to sight and sound pollution amongst other things.

Another form of renewable energy that is the most popular one in the world today, is hydroelectricity. Hydroelectricity is power entirely generated by the forces of water in the forms of waves, tides, water wheels and water mills. Although large hydroelectricity plants generally rely on dams, which are very expensive to build, they also produce a great deal of electricity, currently supplying almost 20 per cent of the world's electricity.

Becoming very popular domestically, solar power also provides a practical renewable energy source which offers a number of advantages to the end user. In some countries, especially Australia, it is becoming very popular for people to install solar panels in their homes. Not only do they get a free electrical supply, but the government also pays them for any excess power that their solar panels produce which is then sent back into the main grid. Not only does it work out well for the environment, but it also works out well for people's money supply.

Another form of renewable energy which is becoming quite popular these days is biofuel. Biofuel comes from organic matter that is died fairly recently unlike fossil fuels which come from organic matter the deceased millions of years ago. These days a number of car manufacturers are building cars which have a dual fuel system, allowing for the ability to use biofuel.

Geothermal heat is the Earth's natural supply of heat which can provide us with an endless supply of power. Unfortunately the plants needed to process geothermal heat a very costly to build, but on the bright side they generate a great deal of electricity.

The market for renewable energy is getting larger and larger three year. With governments, organizations and individuals getting more and more worried about the rapidly decreasing supply of fossil fuels and a rising interest of renewable energy, more and more people are starting to turn to environmentally friendly options. Growing 30% per year, the solar power market is perhaps the most prevalent, with more and more people starting to put the installations in their homes.

Technology is constantly advancing, affording us with a number of new options and I think it is safe to say that in the near future we will see some tremendous advancement with regards to renewable energy. It is the only future for the planet and there is simply no other option in the longer term.

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