Here''s what you should know about the different types of renewable energy sources—and how you can use these emerging technologies in your own home.
The wind, the sun, and Earth are sources of renewable energy. These energy sources naturally renew, or replenish themselves. Wind, sunlight, and the planet have energy that transforms in ways we can see and feel.
Renewable energy sources, such as biomass, the heat in the earth''s crust, sunlight, water, and wind, are natural resources that can be converted into several types of clean, usable energy: Bioenergy. Geothermal Energy. Hydrogen and
Renewable energy, usable energy derived from replenishable sources such as the Sun (solar energy), wind (wind power), rivers (hydroelectric power), hot springs (geothermal energy), tides (tidal power), and biomass (biofuels).
Most renewable energy sources produce zero carbon emissions and minimal air pollutants. Fossil fuels (oil, coal and natural gas) on the other hand, are finite resources and release harmful greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), including carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane, when burned.
Renewable resources include biomass energy (such as ethanol), hydropower, geothermal power, wind energy, and solar energy. Biomass refers to organic material from plants or animals. This includes wood, sewage, and ethanol (which comes from corn or other plants).
There are five main types of renewable energy. Biomass energy —Biomass energy is produced from nonfossilized plant materials. There are three main types of biomass energy: Biofuels —Biofuels include ethanol, biodiesel. renewable diesel, and other biofuels.
Hydropower is the world''s biggest source of renewable energy by far, with China, Brazil, Canada, the U.S., and Russia being the leading hydropower producers. While hydropower is theoretically a clean energy source replenished by rain and snow, it also has several drawbacks.
Types of renewable energy sources. Hydropower: For centuries, people have harnessed the energy of river currents, using dams to control water flow.
Examples of renewable energy sources include wind power, solar power, bioenergy (organic matter burned as a fuel) and hydroelectric, including tidal energy.