Renewable energy is somewhat of a catch all phrase. It refers not to one energy production method, but to many types that have one thing in common. They all use an energy resource that is freely available and does not run out per se. Let's take a look.
Solar Energy ? Solar energy is considered a renewable energy source because it uses the power of the sun to produce electricity and heat. Since the sun isn't going to burn out any time soon, it is a free power resource for the next four or five billion years.
Wind Power ? Wind power is actually a type of solar power. Wind is produced when the sun heats of different surface areas at different rates. The air over hotter surfaces rises and cooler air rushes in to fill the gap. This is wind. As long as the sun is shining, we will have wind. We can harness wind for electrical production through turbines. The wind turns the blades of the turbines, which crank a generator that puts out electricity. Wind power is currently the fastest growing renewable energy platform in the United States.
Hydropower ? Hydropower is electricity generated by damming a river. Turbines are built into the dam. Much like wind power, water flows down through the dam because of gravity and spins the turbine fans as it passes. This cranks a generator, which produces electricity. Hydropower currently accounts for 10 percent of the electricity production in the US, but is losing popularity as building dams is very expensive.
Biopower ? The great hope of President Bush, biopower is based on the idea of using organic material to produce fuel for cars, heating and so on. It is better than using fossil fuels, but has some serious disadvantages. Ethanol, for instance, can help replace gasoline, but it produces a ton of smog. Processing organic materials also takes nearly as much energy as it produces in the form of fuel and such. All and all, this is one of the weaker renewable energy resources.
Geothermal ? This renewable resource works by capturing the steaming water temperatures in the earth's crust. If temperatures reach 240 degrees, the inherent energy can be converted to electricity. Geothermal is a great idea with limited application. The problem? It is not readily available. In the United States, only California, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah can support geothermal plants.
Renewable energy is definitely the wave of the future. Sooner or later, we are going to have to convert to these energy platforms. With huge oil companies buying up solar and wind power companies, it looks like the future may be sooner than we think.
Types Of Renewable Energy
What is home renewable energy? In simple terms, home renewable energy is derived from natural sources, which, in turn, is easily replenished over a short amount of time. Nonrenewable energy, on the other hand, is obtained from limited natural resources. A good example of a nonrenewable energy source that is unfortunately irrevocably diminishing is fossil fuel (coal, petroleum, and natural gases) as demonstrated by inflation of prices.
There are four types of renewable energy. All four are directly or indirectly associated with the sun:
1. What Solar Energy Is - Solar energy is defined as the radiant energy generated from the sun. The intensity of solar energy reaching the earth's surface depends on several factors namely: day of the year, time of day, and collection point. Solar energy quantity, on the other hand, relies on the location of the collecting medium.
There are two subtypes of solar energy. They are thermal and light. Solar thermal energy is derived directly from the heat of the sun and is used in warming residential waters and pools. Solar light energy is generated from sunlight and is converted by solar power units (photovoltaic or solar cells) to electricity and is used to power homes and commercial establishments. Electricity conversion occurs through semiconductor materials such as mono- and multi-crystalline silicones.
As of 2007, photovoltaic cell production was greatest in Europe, Japan, China, Taiwan, and the United States. The silicon manufacturing industry also displays similar production growth as more silicon plants start to emerge.
2. Energy from Wind - Wind energy relies on wind turbine generators (windmills) in producing home renewable energy. When the wind hits the blades, it is then converted into a rotating power of the shaft. This rotating force is subsequently transformed into electricity via generator. In 2007, wind power energy technology increased more than any of the four renewable energies. Wind farms, collective term for numerous wind turbine generators arranged in rows, usually only seen nearby seashores have started to emerge in off-shore locations. The biggest wind farm in the world is found in California while the biggest wind turbine generator is located in the island of Hawaii.
3. The Geothermal Energy - Geothermal energy is derived from the steam trapped beneath the earth. When brought into the surface through drilling, the now released steam is able to drive a turbine to generate electricity. Another source for geothermal heat is the heating of water with deep hot rocks.
4. Biomass - Biomass energy comes in different forms like alcohol fuels, animal waste or dung, and wood. Biomass or biomatter comes in either liquid or solid forms. Liquid biofuel is produced when biomass is burned using internal combustion engines or boilers. Solid biomass is employed directly as combustible fuel.
The world wide increasing demand for commercial and home renewable energy has opened thousands of employment positions. Renewable energy production is far more labor intensive compared to conventional energy production like fossil fuels. The wind energy sector alone holds approximately 300,000 workers while photovoltaic manufacturing industries employ 170,000 employees. The solar thermal energy industry has an impressive 600,000 employees. However, it is the biomass sector that ranks number one with over 1 million workers.
Both Richard Solare & Daniel Shermann are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Richard Solare has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family Travel, Home and Home Improvement. Rick Chapo is with SolarCompanies.com - providing information on .. Richard Solare's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.
Daniel Shermann has sinced written about articles on various topics from Information Technology, Gardening and Family. Are you searching for ways to cut cost on electricity? by using a. Daniel Shermann's top article generates over 5400 views. to your Favourites.
