Renewable energy is quickly booming, as new innovation makes it easier to implement and brings down costs. American wind and solar generation are already breaking records and being incorporated into the national electric grid without compromising reliability. The government is supporting these efforts with financial incentives and by helping the states to develop more renewable energy platforms.
As we transition to a more sustainable energy platform, the old debate between renewable energy and fossil fuels will once again heat up. Proponents of renewable energy are often accused of not wanting to replace fossil fuels, when in reality that is exactly what they are doing-they are taking advantage of the growth of fossil fuels without changing them. Fossil fuels are very high quality fuel, they are reliable, and they provide security for future generations. Changing to renewable energy can be the biggest opportunity in the history, if the US leads the way.
There are many arguments against harnessing renewable energy sources. Some say that there is a limit to how much electricity can be produced from wind and solar power, and that they cannot compete with coal and petroleum. However, if alternative energy can truly be classified as a reliable electricity source, then there really isn’t a limit. Experts agree that there are several different kinds of renewable energy including hydropower, geothermal, biomass, tidal, and small hydro projects.
With so much controversy about our dependence on fossil fuels, one of the most attractive alternatives is to tap the power of the sun and the wind. Both of these sources have the advantage over fossil fuels when it comes to being infinitely renewable. These types of technologies are able to generate electricity from the sun and the wind without depleting the resources. Although geothermal plants have been around for a long time, solar and wind turbines are just becoming commonplace in homes across America. Many homeowners are turning to these new technologies for both power and environmental reasons.
Solar panels and wind turbines are two popular ways to generate renewable energy. Photovoltaic panels or PV panels convert sunlight into energy that is used to power a home. A solar panel system can create electricity for a large house or for a small RV. The amount of electricity generated by a renewable energy system is dependent upon how much sunlight the system receives and how much power it is able to produce.
When fossil fuels are used, their impact on the environment is obvious. Burning fossil fuels results in air pollution, harmful gases in the atmosphere, and carbon dioxide in our air. Geothermal plants utilize the earth’s natural heat to create power. By using the earth’s molten core, geothermal plants extract heat from the deep interior of the earth to warm water that runs through pipes in the home. These types of renewable energy sources do not contribute to air pollution or carbon dioxide.
Wind turbines use the force of the wind to turn blades and generate power. They can be used to supplement or replace fossil fuels for energy production. However, installing wind turbines on your property will result in an environmental impact. Some regions have strict laws regarding the placement and use of wind turbines. If you install them at a height that is too high, they could become a hazard to birds or even people.
Biofuels are produced from plant and animal matter. They are frequently used as a power source because they are infinitely renewable. Biomass is widely used as a renewable energy source because it is constantly replenished. In addition, unlike other types of renewable energy sources, biofuels do not contribute to air pollution or carbon dioxide.