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You’ve probably heard quite a lot about the impending dangers of climate change and turning to renewable energy to reduce our carbon footprint.
Renewable energy is the use of natural resources to produce energy that does not contribute to global warming. These resources can come from different types of sources, such as the sun, wind, water, or geothermal heat. Solar and wind are two of the most popular types of renewable energy.
Types of Renewable Energy
There are many types of renewable energy, all of which use naturally occurring sources. Renewable energy sources include solar, hydroelectricity (power generated by water flowing through turbines), wind power (power generated by Windmills), geothermal power (heat from the Earth’s hot mantle), biomass (agricultural waste), and tidal power. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Solar Energy
Solar energy is the fastest-growing form of renewable energy. It accounts for around 20% of global electrical energy production and is projected to increase to about 30% by 2020. Solar panels capture sunlight and turn it into electricity. There are three main types of solar panels: conventional solar panels made from silicon wafers and other materials; thin-film solar panels made from various organic and inorganic materials; and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC), which use tiny particles that change colour when exposed to sunlight.
Solar panels are one of the most accessible forms of renewable energy available to use to individual homes and buildings.
Wind Power
Wind power is one of the most popular forms of renewable energy because it’s clean and efficient. Energy from wind is harnessed by using turbines. Their blades catch the wind turn it into usable power. Wind turbines are placed in high places to capture the most wind.
Tidal Power
Tidal power has many advantages over other forms of renewable energy because tidal power is available 24/7. This is important for distributed applications such as homes and businesses. Tidal power also has low environmental impact because it does not produce emissions.
There are several challenges that must be overcome before tidal power can become a mainstream source of renewable energy. For example, the cost must be reduced so that tidal power can be used in larger scale applications.
Pros and Cons of Renewable Energy
There are pros and cons to renewable energy. The pros include the environmental benefits of creating less pollution and less dependence on foreign oil. Additionally, renewable energy is often more affordable than traditional forms of energy after the initial cost. The cons include that renewable energy sources are not always available when we need them, such as during bad weather.
Summary
Some common forms of renewable energy include solar, wind, and hydro power. Renewable energy is becoming more popular because it is not a threat to the environment like regular fossil fuels are. By using renewable energy sources, we can help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and improve the environment in the process.