7 Types of Renewable Energy: The Future of Energy (2023)

What is renewable energy?

Renewable energyis energy derived from the earth's natural resources that are not finite or exhaustible, such as wind and sunlight. Renewable energy is an alternative to traditional energy based on fossil fuels and is typically much less harmful to the environment.

7 types of renewable energy

Solar

solar poweris obtained by capturing radiant energy from sunlight and converting it into heat, electricity or hot water. Photovoltaic (PV) systems can convert direct sunlight into electricity through the use of solar cells.

Advantages

One of the advantages of solar energy is that the sunlight is practically endless. With the technology to extract it, there is an unlimited supply of solar energy, meaning it could make fossil fuels obsolete. Using solar energy instead of fossil fuels also helps us improve public health and environmental conditions. Solar energy could also eliminate energy costs in the long term and reduce your energy costs in the short term. Many federal, state, and federal governments also encourage investing in solar energy by providing rebates or tax credits.

Current Restrictions

Although solar saves you money in the long run, it usually comes with a significant upfront cost and is an unrealistic expense for most households. Custom homes also require homeowners to have adequate sunlight and space to arrange their solar panels, limiting who can realistically apply this technology on an individual level.

Wind

Wind farms capture the energy of the wind flow using turbines and convert it into electricity. Different forms of systems are usedconvert wind energyand each different. Commercial grade wind turbines can power many different organizations, while single wind turbines help complement existing energy organizations. Another form is utility-scale wind farms, purchased by contract or wholesale. Technically,Wind energyis a form of solar energy. The phenomenon we call "wind" is caused by the temperature differences in the atmosphere combined with the rotation of the earth and the geography of the planet.[1]

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Advantages

Wind power is a clean source of energy, which means it does not pollute the air like other forms of energy. Wind energy does not generate carbon dioxide or release harmful products that can lead to environmental degradation or adverse human health effects, such as smog, acid rain, or other heat-retaining gases.[2] Investing in wind energy technology can also open up new avenues for jobs and job training, as the turbines on farms require servicing and maintenance to keep running.

Current Restrictions

Because wind farms are typically built in rural or remote areas, they are typically far from busy cities where electricity is most needed. Wind energy has to be transported via transition lines, which leads to higher costs. Although wind turbines cause very little pollution, some cities discourage them as they dominate the skyline and create noise. Wind turbines also threaten native wildlife such as birds, which are sometimes killed by hitting the turbine's arms as they fly.

Hydropower

Dams are what most people associate with hydroelectric power. Water flows through the dam's turbines to generate electricity known as pumped storage hydroelectric power. course of the riverHydropoweruses a canal to channel water through instead of forcing it through a dam.

Advantages

Hydropower is very versatile and can be generated with both large projects like the Hoover Dam and small projects like underwater turbines and lower dams on small rivers and streams. Hydropower does not generate pollution and is therefore a much greener energy option for our environment.

Current Restrictions

Most hydroelectric power plants in the US consume more energy than they can produce for consumption. The storage systems may need to use fossil fuels to pump water.[3]Although hydropower does not pollute the air, it disrupts waterways and negatively impacts wildlife, altering water levels, currents, and migration paths for many fish and other freshwater ecosystems.

geothermal

Geothermal Hitzeis heat trapped beneath the earth's crust from the formation of the earth 4.5 billion years ago and radioactive decay. Sometimes large amounts of this heat escape naturally, but all at once, leading to well-known events such as volcanic eruptions and geysers. This heat can be captured and used to generate geothermal energy using steam that comes from the heated water being pumped below the surface, which then rises to the top and can be used to run a turbine.

Advantages

Geothermal energy is not as common as other types of renewable energy sources but has significant potential for energy supply. Because it can be built underground, it leaves very little footprint on land. Geothermal energy is naturally replenished and is therefore not in danger of being depleted (on a human timescale).

Current Restrictions

The costs play a major role in the disadvantages of geothermal energy. Not only is the infrastructure expensive to build, but another major problem is the vulnerability to earthquakes in certain regions of the world.

ocean

The ocean can produce two types of energy: thermal and mechanical. Ocean thermal energy relies on warm water surface temperatures to generate energy through a variety of different systems. The mechanical energy of the ocean uses the ebb and flow of the tides to generate energy created by the Earth's rotation and the Moon's gravity.

Advantages

Unlike other forms ofrenewable energy, wave energyis predictable and it is easy to estimate how much energy will be produced. Rather than relying on disparate factors like sun and wind, wave energy is much more consistent. This type of renewable energy is also plentiful, the most populous cities tend to be close to oceans and ports, making it easier to harness this energy for local people. The potential of wave energy is an amazing untapped energy source with an estimated production capacity of 2640 TWh/year. Just 1 TWh/year of energy can power approximately 93,850 average US homes annually, or about twice the number of homes currently in the US.[4]

Current Restrictions

Those who live near the ocean definitely benefit from wave energy, but those who live in landlocked countries do not have direct access to this energy. Another disadvantage of ocean energy is that it can disrupt the ocean's many delicate ecosystems. Although it is a very clean source of energy, large machines must be built nearby to capture this form of energy, which can cause disruption to the seabed and the marine life that lives on it. Another factor to consider is the weather. When rough weather occurs, it changes the consistency of the waves, creating a lower energy output compared to normal waves without stormy weather.

hydrogen

Hydrogen must be combined with other elements, such as B. Oxygen, can be combined to produce water, as it does not occur naturally as a pure gas. When hydrogen is separated from another element, it can be used both as a fuel and as electricity.

Advantages

Hydrogen can be used as a clean-burning fuel, resulting in less pollution and a cleaner environment. It can also be used for battery-like fuel cells that can be used to power an electric motor.

Current Restrictions

Since hydrogen requires energy to produce, it is inefficient when it comes to preventing pollution.

Biomass

Bioenergy is renewable energy derived from biomass. Biomass is organic material derived from recently living plants and organisms. Using wood in your fireplace is an example of biomass that most people are familiar with.

There are various methods of generating energy through the use of biomass. This can be done by burning biomass or by utilizing methane gas produced by the natural decomposition of organic materials in ponds or even landfills.

Advantages

Using biomass for energy creates carbon dioxide that is released into the air, but regenerating plants uses the same amount of carbon dioxide, which is said to create a balanced atmosphere. Biomass can be used in various ways in our daily life, not only for personal use but also for business. In 2017, energy from biomass accounted for about 5% of all energy consumption in the US. This energy came from wood, biofuels such as ethanol, and energy from methane recovered from landfills or by burning municipal solid waste. (5)

Current Restrictions

Although new plants need carbon dioxide to grow, plants need time to grow. We also don't yet have widespread technology that can use biomass instead of fossil fuels.

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Renewable Energy: What Can You Do?

As a consumer, you have several options to help improve the environment by choosing a productgreener energy solution. If you are a homeowner, you have the option of installing solar panels in your home. Solar panels not only reduce your energy bills but also help improve your standard of living with more securitygreener energyChoice that does not depend on resources that harm the environment. There are also greener living alternatives offered by your electricity companies. Just Energy enables consumers to choose green energy options that help you reduce your footprint through energy offsetting. Add JustGreen to yoursElectricity or natural gas tariffto lessen your impact today!

Presented byjustenergy.com

Sources:

1. Energy.gov, Wind Energy Benefits and Challenges, retrieved from:https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/advantages-and-challenges-wind-energy
2. Energy.gov, Wind Energy Benefits and Challenges, retrieved from:https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/advantages-and-challenges-wind-energy
3. U.S. Energy Information Administration, What is U.S. Electricity Generation by Energy Source?, abgerufen von:https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=427&t=3
4. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Ocean Wave Energy, retrieved from:https://www.boem.gov/Ocean-Wave-Energy/
5. US Energy Information Administration, Biomass Explained, retrieved from:https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/?page=biomass_home