For so many years it was thought that there was an endless supply of fossil fuel to provide energy to sustain life as we have come to know it. Everything from electricity to gasoline currently utilizes fossil fuel, and while there still seems to be an adequate supply, there will come a day when that is no longer true. However far it is in the future, there is an end to available fossil fuels because it takes literally millions of years for them to replenish. In the meantime, it is essential for mankind to seek alternatives that can be renewed in order to provide an endless supply of energy in an ever expanding global community. Although nuclear power is sometimes categorized as a renewable source of energy, at the moment there are four major types of renewable energy, hydropower, biomass, geothermal energy, and solar power.
Hydropower
By far the largest current source of renewable energy is hydropower which provides at least 10% of the nations electricity. This source of renewable energy is derived from harnessing the power of moving water to utilize it for other purposes, among which is conversion to electricity.
Biomass
This is an area that is currently getting a lot of attention. Renewable organic material that is living or recently living can provide an unlimited source of energy. Examples would be forestry byproducts, trash, manure and vegetation. A good example would be ethanol that is manufactured from sugar or corn. It is most commonly used as an additive to gasoline and usually in a 10/90 part ratio.
Geothermal Energy
Another longstanding form of renewable energy is geothermal energy that is extracted from the earths geothermal reservoirs to be utilized in the production of electricity. Energy from steam or hot water is utilized by huge turbines at electric power plants.
Wind Energy
Wind motion can be transformed to mechanical energy for driving mills, pumps, and electric power generators. Wind is also utilized to power sails and blades protruding from an inner rotating shaft. Often times windmills are seen in the countryside which are used for agricultural purposes and localized household energy.
Solar Energy
Energy from the sun can be harnessed and converted to alternative forms of energy such as electricity or heat. It is then stored in photovoltaic cells so that it can be utilized during hours when no sun is shining. For so many years the biggest obstacle surrounding solar energy was a way to store it for use at times when there was a lack of direct rays from the sun.
Because of our dependence on fossil fuels for energy, and with the imminent lack of availability, it behooves us to seek alternative energy sources that are renewable. Whether it is from water, wind, air or solar power, there is a need undergo further research on all types of renewable energy to ensure an unlimited and infinite supply of energy to meet our ever expanding needs.
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