Renewable sources
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[edit] What is Renewable sources?
Any natural resource (as wood or solar energy) that can be replenished naturally with the passage of time or you can say resources supplied by nature.
Renewable energy sources (RES) are continually renewed by the cycle of nature and are considered to be practically inexhaustible. The sun, wind, rivers, organic material such as wood and even household and agricultural waste are energy sources which are always available and are never exhausted. They are plentiful in our natural environment and they are the first sources of energy used by man, almost exclusively, until the beginning of the 20th century, when humankind turned to the intensive exploitation of coal and hydrocarbons.
A renewable resource is a naturally-restoring source that regenerates at a percentage equal to, or faster than, the human consumption rate. People have been largely dependent on fossil fuels and other nonrenewable resources for fuel purposes, product construction and human consumption. However, natural goods (like oil) will run out and resources dependent on regrowth can be harvested beyond a regenerative point (deforestation). Renewable resources and energy sources offer improved efficiency, are more cost-effective and are inexhaustible.
Much of the world today is converting to renewable energy sources as a means of providing power to homes and businesses in order to function more environmentally friendly.
[edit] Benefits of Renewable sources
Using renewable resources and energy allows to offer clean assets and recycle waste. They provide local jobs, minimize energy costs and reduce the country's dependence on foreign resources. The sun, the ocean and wind power are all power sources that exist for free and can be harvested without creating pollution. The burning of biomass products does not release carbon dioxide emissions and can fuel cars and homes without promoting global warming. These are "clean" forms of energy that not only generate plentiful amounts of power, but can be used without harming or depleting the Earth of any limited resources.
[edit] Renewable sources used most often
- Biomass — including wood and wood waste, municipal solid waste, landfill gas, and biogas, ethanol, and biodiesel. The biomass energy sources are also called as the renewable source of energy. This is because, as long as the plant life is there, there will be lots of waste generated by them, hence biomass energy source is the unending source of energy.
- Water (hydropower) : Hydropower is a renewable and decentralized source of energy which has served and continues to serve mankind on the road to development. Hydropower is making a significant contribution to the local economy of many areas in an entirely environmentally compatible way. Some of the example are Water wheels, watermills, etc.
- Geothermal : Geothermal energy is a reliable energy source, depending on your location. It is commonly used to provide a source of heating or hot water for households using "ground source heat pumps", and also can be used as the energy source for power stations in appropriate areas.
- Wind : Wind power is the most common form of renewable energy. Wind is in infinite supply and thus an affordable renewable energy source. Further, generating wind does not produce toxins or pollutants to the environment and thus assists in the fight against global warming.
- Solar : Solar power is another renewable energy source, where the energy from the sun is harnessed in order to produce energy. Because the heat and energy found in sunlight is in limitless supply so long as the sun is shining, and thus is an excellent renewable energy source.
- Tidal : Tidal energy can be used to create electricity from the large energy force behind the tides. The main disadvantage of tidal energy is the effect on the surrounding environment, affecting sea life, and shore access.
- Wave : Wave energy is similar to tidal energy, but instead uses the force behind the waves (not the tide) to generate electricity. The cost to sea life is usually less of an issue, as the construction tends to float on the water, and not in the sea. This is a relatively new technology, and in many cases, is still in the research phase.
- wood : Wood is a renewable resource which is an environmentally friendly resource. It is recyclable and biodegradable. The forests from which our wood is derived provide for wildlife habitat. They also act as natural air filters, absorbing unwanted carbon dioxide gas contributing to global warming—and release breathable oxygen.
[edit] Advantages of Renewable sources
They are practically inexhaustible sources of energy and contribute to reducing dependence on conventional energy resources.
They are an answer to the energy problem for the stabilization of carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases. In addition, by replacing energy generation plants which use conventional resources, they lead to a reduction in the emission of other pollutants, such as sulfur and nitrogen oxides which cause acid rain.
They are domestic sources of energy and contribute to increasing energy independence and security of energy supply at the national level.
They are geographically dispersed, leading to the decentralization of the energy system, making it possible for energy needs to be met at a local and regional level, thus relieving infrastructure systems and reducing losses from energy transmission.
They provide opportunities for the rational use of energy sources because they cover a wide range of users’ energy needs (i.e. solar energy for low temperature heat, wind energy for electricity production).
They usually have low operating costs which are not influenced by fluctuations in the international economy and especially in prices for conventional fuels.
RES investments create a significant number of new jobs, especially at the local level.
In many cases, they can be a catalyst for the renewal of economically and socially depressed areas and a magnet for local development through the promotion of relevant investments) for example, greenhouses using geothermal energy).
