Generally speaking, there are currently five major categories of renewable energy resources. With that said, they each have various uses and would act as an effective replacement for conventional non-renewable options. However, this article will take a closer look at each of these main types of renewable energy as well as how anyone can best implement them into their own homes. Here is the first category of renewable power sources:
First, there is hydro energy. Hydro power is one of the most versatile forms of renewable energy, because it is naturally occurring and can be easily converted into usable electricity. There are two primary methods of hydro energy conversion, namely through combustion and through the use of pumps. The first method is slightly more efficient than the second. During combustion, combustible substances are burned, which in turn create a flow of gases and ultimately energy.
While this particular type of renewable energy has many positive aspects, there is also a negative aspect to it as well. The most obvious negative aspect of burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas is the impact on the environment. In addition, these types of fossil fuels coal, oil, and natural gas to generate carbon dioxide, which is one of the most powerful greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Burning fossil fuels is also known to contribute to global warming and to the depletion of the earth’s ozone layer. These facts are not always recognized by most people, leading to an increase in the earth’s temperature, which has been attributed to global warming.
On the other hand, hydropower has some advantages. Hydropower utilizes water to generate electricity rather than fuel. Additionally, using water to generate electricity means that there are no emissions from burning fossil fuels, which in turn helps to fight global warming. With regards to the ozone layer, hydropower is able to prevent a build up of smog which is believed to contain carcinogens. Also, many experts believe that hydropower uses far less greenhouse gases than fossil fuels.
Hydrogen is also an extremely efficient form of renewable sources of electricity. In fact, research has shown that using hydrogen to generate electricity has the potential to supply much more electricity than currently used by our current power systems combined. Hydrogen can also be obtained from water through the process called electrolysis. Through the use of electrolysis, hydrogen can be separated from its by-products such as oxygen and nitrogen.
The third option available for use in generating renewable energy is biomass fuels or wood. Biomass is plant material such as bamboo, cotton, corn, or hemp, which is considered to be both a renewable resource and an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. However, biomass fuels like coal and petroleum have been considered to be a more lucrative opportunity for those looking to make money from other people’s natural resources. One way in which people profit from biomass fuels is by allowing them to burn in power plants so that they create electricity. However, this type of profitably complicated system still needs some scientific research to be developed before it becomes widely available.
Perhaps the most promising renewable sources of electricity are those coming from the sun. Unlike other renewable sources of energy, the production and utilization of the energy from the sun is not at all dependent on fossil fuels and therefore presents an incredible opportunity for those wanting to save the earth. There are now plans for massive companies to use giant mirrors to focus light onto fossil fuels generating enormous amounts of electricity in a bid to develop clean coal technology and eventually eliminate the need for the use of coal powered energy.
It is important to remember that these renewable sources of energy are all ever progressing and growing closer to being ubiquitous. As such, developing nations who lack the infrastructure required to harness these types of natural resources may have limited options as to how they can economically utilize their natural advantages. It is also quite possible that some of the emerging clean coal technologies will require the use of coal, which is a non-renewable resource. However, it seems that the benefits offered by using renewable sources of energy over traditional methods will far outweigh any disadvantages that may be encountered due to these environmental issues.