Renewable Energy
Define Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is energy that is produced from natural resources that are being replenished on a regular cyclical basis. These use natural elements such as water, sunlight, wind, tides, plants and geothermal heat. These sources are the opposite of energy that is derived from non-renewable sources.
Define non-Renewable Energy
Non-renewable sources such as the fossil fuels, coal, natural gas, oil use up the resources that have taken vast amounts of time to produce and as such cannot be replaced in any sensible manner. The other main non-renewable energy source is nuclear energy. Nuclear energy is non-renewable because it requires fuel such as Uranium235 that is in relatively short supply and once spent cannot be reused. There may in the future be forms of nuclear energy that may be considered as renewable. That would be the ‘holy grail’ of energy production.
Main forms of Renewable Energy
Hydro-Power
Hydro-Power is produced by the flow of water, usually into a turbine for the generation of hydroelectricity. Water can free flow from a river but more normally is controlled by a dam and regulated to produce vast quantities of electricity. Whilst hydro-power can be ecologically sound, in many cases the building of hydro-electric schemes produces much environmental damage.
There are other water based energy production systems such as tidal, wave and the use of ocean or sea currents to generate electricity. Where sea and freshwater meet a process of osmosis can be used to generate water power in a unique environmentally friendly way.
Solar Power
Ultimately just about all renewable energy comes from the sun. The suns rays can be use in a variety of ways to produce heat and power. Direct water heating systems can be used in homes and businesses to great effect. Electricity can be generated by photovoltaic cells and concentrated solar power can produce steam to run a turbine.
Wind Power
Wind turbines are now common place in many areas of the world where wind blows on a regular basis. This technology is very established and so just requires the funding to roll it out en-masse. Whilst many find it unacceptable in their own back yard the vast spaces of open country available can be utilized to produce large wind farms. This is a large growth area for green investments as nations seek to up their renewable energy quotas and reduce their carbon emissions.
Biomass and Bio-fuels
Using plants and trees to produce heat and electricity as well as provide fuel for transport and farming is not new. Yet this remains one of the largest areas where scientific development is needed to open up the use of otherwise not very useful biomass to produce very useful fuel for energy. Breaking down what mother nature packages as plant life into methanol and bio-diesels is key to future energy production. Currently it is more economic to use the parts of plants that are food such as corn or seed to produce fuel. This is due to the ease at which it can be processed. The problem is that it then exasperates the problem of feeding the masses of hungry humans and livestock.
Geothermal
Geothermal power is generated by tapping into the heat that is available in the earths crust. Heated steam is returned from deep into the earth to run electric turbine generators. Lands where the crust is thin can make good use of this technique to provide an endless source of renewable energy.
This is not an exhaustive list of renewables and many new techniques and technologies are being developed. This gives ample opportunities for green investment and rewards that are sustainable.
