In this article, we discussed the basic of renewable energy source, the meaning of renewable energy sources, types and advantage.
Definition
Renewable energy refers to energy sources that are naturally replenished and can be harnessed without reducing their limited funds. These sources are abundant in nature and provide a sustainable another to predictable remains fuels, which contribute to environmental pollution.
Non-renewable energy sources such as oil, coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy are those that cannot be easily replenished or regenerated within a short period. These sources have a limited supply and can damage the environment.
Renewable Energy Source is ‘energy that is sustainable – something that can’t run out or is endless, like the sun’. When you hear the term ‘alternative energy’, it’s usually referring to renewable energy sources too, but there are other energy sources that are considered alternative.
Types of Renewable Energy
Solar Energy
Sunlight is perhaps the most plentiful form of energy on planet Earth. For thousands of years, humans have used solar energy to grow crops, warm homes, and dry laundry. Today, it is even used to generate electricity. An example of this is solar panels that are sometimes placed on rooftops. Solar power is one of the most reliable forms of renewable energy. Although it sounds like a perfect renewable energy source, the amount of solar energy we can use varies according to:
The time of day
The season of the year
The geographical location
In the UK, solar energy is an increasingly popular way to supplement your energy usage.
Wind energy
Wind is a plentiful source of clean energy. especially in the UK. Wind farms are an increasingly familiar sight in the UK with wind power making an ever-increasing contribution to the National Grid, it now powers around 29.4% of the UK supply!
There are two main types of wind turbines available, offshore and onshore. Offshore wind generates more power than onshore options, but is harder to build and therefore upfront costs are a lot higher. Both are therefore important in the power market and providing renewable energy.
Modern wind turbines use wind energy to spin large blades that are hundreds of feet long. This motion is then used to turn a motor, which generates electricity at the top of the tower and then dispatches that electricity to the electrical grid below.
Wind turbines are becoming more common and more efficient each year. A 2008 study from Stanford University ranked wind energy the #1 least-polluting energy source. The main challenge with wind power is its irregularity. It varies wildly from day to day and hour to hour.
Hydropower
Hydropower capitalizes on the energy stored in moving water. Dams and turbines are used to convert the water’s kinetic energy into electrical power. Hydropower plants can vary in size, from large-scale installations to micro-hydropower systems used in rural areas.
Hydropower consumption has generally increased over the last decades, reaching 40.3 exajoules in 2021. It is one of the leading renewable sources worldwide due to its flexibility and consistency. The largest global consumers of hydropower include China, Canada, and Brazil.
This energy is:
Reliable
Easy to store
Cheaper to setup than other renewable sources
Hydro’s ability to offer a reliable source of energy is really important in the world of renewables. Whilst wind and solar energy are great, it’s important to also have renewable sources to cover periods of the day when these technologies cannot generate energy.
Biomass energy
Biomass energy employs organic materials, such as agricultural residues, wood, and other plant and animal matter, to produce heat and electricity. Through processes like combustion and gasification, biomass can be transformed into usable energy forms.
The usage of biomass fuel is most prominent in Africa, with Ethiopia at the top of this list. The country depends heavily on this type of energy, with 92.9% of their supply coming from this source.
Geothermal energy
By harnessing the natural heat below the earth’s surface, geothermal energy can be used to heat homes directly or to generate electricity. Although it harnesses power directly below our feet, geothermal energy is of negligible importance in the UK compared to countries such as Iceland, where geothermal heat is much more freely available.
Tidal energy
This is another form of hydro energy that uses twice-daily tidal currents to drive turbine generators. Although tidal flow unlike some other hydro energy sources isn’t constant, it is highly predictable and can therefore compensate for the periods when the tide current is low.
While tidal energy is often not as well known as some of the other forms on the list, according to a recent study the UK is actually ranked 5th in the world, at technological advancements in this field. Guess being an island helps
The advantages of using renewable energy in your home are:
Cut your electricity bills: Once you’ve paid for the costs of installing a renewable energy system your energy bills will be reduced substantially. Customers who install solar panels and batteries can see savings of up to £525 a year as well as earn for any energy that’s exported to the grid through our Smart Export Guarantee.
Become more energy independent: By installing solar panels and particularly a battery you become far less reliant on the National Grid. This gives you far more control to your energy usage and therefore increases your energy independence.
Reduce your carbon footprint: Green, renewable sources of energy don’t release carbon dioxide or other harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. According to the Energy Saving Trust, a typical solar PV system could save around 1 tons of carbon per year. You can find out more in our solar panels guide.
It is environmentally friendly
Renewable energy sources are naturally occurring methods of generating energy, making them environmentally friendly. While some emissions may still be associated with renewable energy technologies, their overall impact is significantly lower compared to fossil fuels.
Lower maintenance costs
Renewable energy sources generally have far lower maintenance costs. They use simpler technology with fewer moving parts, their wear and tear are reduced as they don’t rely on combustion, they have a longer lifespan, and have less environmental impact. Solar panels can last 25+ years with minimal maintenance, and wind turbines can operate for 20-25 years.
Protects businesses from future energy price rises
Renewable energy helps businesses reduce their reliance on the grid and fossil fuels, and also shields them from future energy price hikes. By establishing a stable and sustainable energy supply, businesses can mitigate the impact of fluctuating energy costs, providing greater financial security and peace of mind for the future.
Creates more jobs
As the demand for clean energy sources increases, there is a need for skilled workers in areas such as manufacturing, installation, maintenance, research, and development.
Conclusion
Renewable energy works by tapping into naturally occurring and continuously replenished sources of energy to generate power, without depleting limited resources or causing significant environmental harm. Each source of renewable energy operates based on distinct principles. For instance, solar energy harnesses sunlight using photovoltaic cells that turn this sunlight into electricity.