There are two major types of renewable energy that are geothermal and solar energy. These types of energies are derived from the heat of the sun or the wind. There are many advantages of utilizing this type of energy. One is that it can be generated easily and it has no byproducts. It also produces no pollution.
Geothermal energy is produced by the earth’s molten core. This is found under the oceans and it’s usually warm. Hot water is the basic need for all human beings and many volcanoes produce this energy through their eruptive activity. When the molten core of the earth cools, it produces steam. The steam then moves underground through rock layers and creates an enormous amount of heat. This heat is then transferred to generate electricity for households.
On the other hand, solar energy is produced by the sun. It is a renewable energy source, which is produced naturally. It is not dependent on the actions of humans. It is clean, green and sustainable. Unlike geothermal plants that require high temperature and pressure, solar collectors on your home can provide the same benefits through the use of sunlight.
However, both geothermal and solar energy can only be utilized in specific locations where sunlight is available. In the case of geothermal plants, this is usually in the northern regions of the earth. Likewise, solar collectors cannot be used everywhere. There are times when there is not enough sunlight or there is no sufficient wind flow. Both types of renewable energy sources cannot be used at the same time.
Geothermal plants will still operate even when there isn’t enough sunshine or when there isn’t any wind. This is because the temperature of the ground remains constant. If the temperature rises, then the plant will still operate. When it is exposed to a change in the temperature or to winds, it will shut down. This is why it is still considered as one of the very beneficial and widely used sustainable energy sources.
On the other hand, solar panels can be used anywhere. This is possible since the sun can be observed anywhere at anytime. But unlike geothermal plants, solar panels will only function during daytime. As long as there is sunlight, the device can continue to function. If there is no sunlight or if the sun’s position changes, then it would also not work.
If you are wondering how does solar panel or wind turbine work, then you must first know how does solar energy work. In fact, solar cells or photovoltaic cells are the ones responsible for converting the sunlight into usable electricity. Water is used as the medium that will carry the charged particles. The process is reversed when there is a charge imbalance. This is the reason why you have to use batteries to store the extra energy or you can also use an inverter if your residential system does not have sufficient batteries.
Wind turbine is another type of renewable energy source. It works by using the air pressure to rotate blades. These blades capture wind and turn it into usable energy. This is why some people call it wind generators. However, you need to see to it that your wind turbine is placed in an area where the wind is strongest so you can get the best results.
Hydroelectric dams produce electricity by passing water through turbines which are powered by electricity. The water flows into the riverbed and the turbines turn the water into vapor, which is then turned into electricity. One thing that you must consider is that not all places in the world are able to produce sufficient amounts of water to run these turbines. In fact, some places in the world produce more electricity than they actually need.
The biggest advantage of hydroelectric power is the fact that it produces zero pollution. This is why it is commonly used in many places where the climate is moderate and the soil does not produce too much of a harmful gas called nitrous oxide. This means that the turbines do not produce any greenhouse gases such as chlorofluorocarbons. This is why many companies are now using this method of generating electricity as a source of renewable energy.
One of the oldest methods of producing energy from the heat of the earth is geothermal energy. When the earth heats up to a certain point, known as a geothermal heat pool, it is possible to generate energy from the heat. This type of renewable energy is still being studied but scientists believe that there is still much to learn about it.