| Renewable energy is energy that is obtained from | | | | stored in a battery for future use. A group of solar |
| natural sources--such as the sun and wind--and can | | | | panels is called a photovoltaic array and many |
| be replenished or renewed naturally. Since renewable | | | | homeowners are now installing their own arrays at |
| energy can usually be obtained without doing | | | | home to supplement or satisfy their energy needs. |
| significant harm to the environment, people have | | | | Solar energy can also be used to power individual |
| been developing many ways to utilize it efficiently. | | | | items, such as lights and portable generators. |
| While the use of renewable energy is not a recent | | | | Biomass energy - This energy is derived from |
| phenomenon, investment in these technologies has | | | | industrial factories that process wood and agricultural |
| grown in recent years as a response to the rising | | | | products. It is a natural product from the synthesis |
| prices of fossil fuel and the effects of global climate | | | | of trees and other plants. While carbon dioxide |
| change. Here are the five primary types of | | | | emissions are produced through biomass, the amount |
| renewable energy sources: | | | | is lower than that from the burning of fossil fuels. In |
| Wind energy - Strong winds are capable of | | | | addition, biomass cuts back on the need to produce |
| running wind turbines which are used in some areas | | | | new landfills as significant amounts of waste are |
| to produce electricity. Normally these can be seen | | | | consumed in the biomass process. |
| along shorelines, especially in areas where the wind is | | | | Geothermal energy - Geothermal is obtained |
| especially strong. Wind energy is a clean energy that | | | | from deep in the Earth's crust. Radioactive particles |
| can be utilized as long as the wind continues to blow. | | | | inside the Earth are constantly decaying, producing an |
| Water energy - Strong currents of water are | | | | energy that we can exploit for our own usage. While |
| also capable of producing electric power. Areas | | | | it's not always easy to utilize this form of energy, |
| where there are big waterfalls are at an advantage | | | | once a geothermal power station is up and running it |
| since waterfall currents are extremely strong and can | | | | provides a source of clean, reliable energy with |
| help supply a portion of a city's electrical needs. | | | | minimal effects to the environment. |
| Water energy is divided into different forms. These | | | | Although not all of these technologies have been |
| are: ocean energy, hydroelectric energy, kinetic | | | | utilized to their full potential yet, it is expected that |
| energy from damless hydro, and hydroelectric power | | | | investment in alternative energy sources will continue |
| from micro-hydro systems. | | | | to increase in the coming years. It is likely a |
| Solar energy - Solar energy is obtained from | | | | combination of these technologies that will help lead |
| sunlight. This technology relies on solar panels that | | | | us to a cleaner energy future. |
| collect sunlight and turn it into voltage which is then | | | | |