In this article, we discussed the meaning of renewable energy, we also talked about the types and benefit, source of renewable energy.
Definition
Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. Sunlight and wind, for example, are such sources that are constantly being replenished.
Renewable energy is energy that comes from sources that can be replenished, such as the sun, wind, water, and the Earth’s core.
Types of Renewable Energy include:
Solar Energy: The radiant light and heat energy from the sun is harnessed with the use of solar collectors. These solar collectors are of various types such as photovoltaics, concentrator photovoltaics, solar heating, (CSP) concentrated solar power, artificial photosynthesis, and solar architecture. This collected solar energy is then used to provide light, heat, and different other forms of electricity.
Wind Energy: The energy we get from winds is known as wind energy. For this, windmills have been used for hundreds of years to pump out water from the ground. We use large tall wind turbines that allow winds to generate electricity. The natural airflow on the surface of the earth is used to run the wind turbines. The modern-day wind turbines range from about 600 Kilowatt to 5 Megawatts, for commercial purposes these are rated with an output power of 1.5 to 3 Megawatts. The most preferred locations for these wind turbines to be installed are the areas which and strong and have constant airflows on offshore and sites that are at high altitudes. The power generated from wind energy in 2015 met 4% of global energy consumption.
Hydroelectricity: According to statistics, hydroelectricity generated around 16.6% of the global energy resources and constituted about 70% of all renewable electricity. This energy is another alternative source of energy that is generated by the construction of dams and reservoirs on the flowing water, the kinetic energy from the flowing water is used to run the turbines which generate electricity. Tidal power converts the energy of tides and Wave power which captures the energy from the surface of the ocean waves for power generation. These two forms of hydropower also have huge potential in electric power generation.
Geothermal Energy: It is the energy that is generated from the thermal energy which is stored in the earth. The heat energy is captured from sources such as hot springs and volcanoes and this heat is directly used by industries for heating the water and other purposes.
Biomass Energy: This type of energy is derived from biomass which is a type of biological material derived from living organisms and plant-derived materials which are called lignocellulosic biomass. Biomass can be directly used via combustion to produce heat and indirectly it can be used to convert to biofuels. Biomass can be converted to other usable forms of energy such as transportation fuels like ethanol, biodiesel, and methane gas.
Here are a few common sources of renewable energy:
solar energy. solar energy is the most abundant of all energy resources and can even be harnessed in cloudy weather.
wind energy.
geothermal energy.
hydropower.
ocean energy.
bioenergy.
Renewable energy has many benefits, including:
Environmental
Renewable energy sources, like solar panels and wind turbines, produce little to no carbon dioxide or other pollutants. This helps to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change.
Economic
Renewable energy creates jobs in manufacturing, deployment, and other related industries. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that solar installers and wind technicians will be the two fastest-growing jobs in the United States through 2028.
Social
This can help reduce gender inequality by creating jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for women.
Reliability
Renewable energy can enhance the reliability, security, and resilience of the power grid. This is because it reduces reliance on a single energy source and centralized infrastructure.
Energy access
It can expand access to energy for remote, coastal, or isolated communities.
Energy independence
Renewable energy can increase U.S. energy independence.
Energy costs
This can lower energy costs.
Non-depleting
Renewable energy sources, like the sun, will not run out for many millions of years.
Conclusion
Renewable Energy is one of the major inputs for the economic development of the country. Any sustainable energy source that comes from the natural environment is a renewable energy source. Renewable energy is inexhaustible and a clean alternative to fossil fuels.