Renewable Energy

Clean & Green & Renewable

What is Renewable Energy and can it replace fossil fuels? Info on sun and wind power and other renewable technologies.

Green Solutions

By definition, if energy is renewable it is derived from a source that does not disappear over time and is not depleted by it's use.

Sun and wind power are often the first to come to mind when discussing forms of energy that are readily renewable but there are others that we'll discuss on this page.

To better understand what renewable energy is and how it can be used, consider the energy sources we use today. Most countries rely on coal, oil or natural gas to produce energy to power modern conveniences. These fuels have taken millions of years to form and a finite amount exists. Once all of these sources of energy have been harvested and consumed there'll be no more for many lifetimes to come.

As existing sources are depleted we can expect costs to rise. Add to that the negative impact that harvesting and burning these sources has on our environment and a bleak picture forms

Clean, renewable technologies can reduce or completely eliminate our reliance on non renewable sources of energy. Here are some possibilities.

Solar Energy ~ Renewable Energy

Harvesting the sun's energy, no matter how much of it we use for the purpose of heating, cooling, lighting and powering our homes does not diminish it at it's source. Old sol will rise again tomorrow possessing as much strength as ever.

Although more effective around earth's belly than in extreme north and south regions everyone can benefit from solar energy to some degree.

Solar panels capture energy from the sun and in most regions there are days that are overcast or rainy which decreases the amount of collectable energy striking the panels. To compensate for this lack you can tie into local energy grids or add a bank of batteries to store energy and provide a consistent supply. Solar power has a great deal of potential as a major source of energy but cost and efficiency issues are preventing it from merging into the mainstream. These issues are currently being addressed.

Various industries can benefit from the sun as well. Solar panels have become more efficient over the years and are also available in various sizes that can be easily placed on rooftops and other structures.

A residential solar power system requires a significant financial investment particularly in areas where homes need to be heated or cooled.

You can pare costs dramatically by making your home as energy efficient as possible before converting to solar.

Wind Energy ~ Renewable Energy

Traditionally wind power has been used to propel sailing vessels around the world and to power giant mills. Wind energy is relatively easy to capture and convert into electricity. Large turbines are used in certain regions of the world to power towns, industrial areas, and other locations to decrease the amount of natural gas and other non-renewable resources used each day.

Recently wind farms are cropping up in areas where breezes are consistent. Much of the power they produce is sold to power companies to supplement the fossil fuel supply available.

Water Energy (Hydropower) ~ Renewable Energy

Hydropower is used most often to power dams and other waterways. Downward motion of water creates the force needed to turn turbines, water wheels, and other equipment. Although hydropower is a constant force that can be used to generate energy, it cannot be used in all areas. In many parts of the world, there is little or no rainfall for most of the year, which means that this type of energy generation would only be effective during heavy rain seasons. Power supplies would fall off dramatically during dry seasons but could be supplemented with wind or solar power.

Biomass ~ Renewable Energy

Biomass is made up of different natural materials including grasses, wood, methane gases from landfills, crops, and other types of waste that contain organic materials.

Because of limited space to store trash and other discarded items, many have considered using items found in landfills to generate energy. Compost piles are considered biomass because they can be used to promote new growth and can also be burned for energy.

Hydrogen ~ Renewable Energy

Even though this area of renewable energy is still new, there is much potential in terms of energy production. Once isolated, hydrogen can be used to fuel cars, generate electricity, and replace natural gases in many other ways as well.

Geothermal ~ Renewable Energy

Earth energy technologies use the constant temperature of the earth the regulate the temperature of buildings.

Switching from One Energy Source to Another

Researchers constantly improve on renewable technologies and as efficiency goes up and costs go down making the switch becomes more attractive for homeowners and industry. In order for these resources to become mainstream and remain so, we have to be willing to make changes to our lifestyle and support their use.

For the survival of future generations it's important for this generation to begin changing the way we collect, produce and use energy.The fact that you're reading this page means that we have every reason to be hopeful for a sustainable future.

At the onset of the industrial age Theodore Roosevelt uttered these insightful words.

We have become great because of the lavish use of our resources and we have just reason to be proud of our growth. But the time has come to inquire seriously what will happen when our forests are gone, when the coal, the iron, the oil, and the gas are exhausted, when the soils shall have still further impoverished and washed into the streams, polluting the rivers, denuding the fields, and obstructing navigation.

The natural resources I have enumerated can be divided into two sharply distinguished classes accordingly as they are or are not capable of renewal.

The minerals do not renew themselves. Therefore in dealing with the coal, the oil, the iron, metals generally, all that we can do is try to see that they are wisely used. The exhaustion is certain to come in time.

In Conclusion

It is unlikely that any one form of renewable energy will take the place of fossil fuels rather, a combination of all of them will supplement our energy needs depending on the resources available in a given area.

Sunny areas are ideal for harvesting solar power, windy areas readily turn wind generators, fissures in the earths crust allow heat from it's core to rise to the surface in some areas providing warmth to homes built over top them. Swift moving water and water drops such as waterfalls rotate turbines. Even garbage has the potential to be converted into fuel.

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