Renewable Energy: The Clean Facts

Have you ever wondered how renewable energy is used and what does it do? Renewable energy is basically all the energy collected from natural sources like sun, rain, wind, tides etc. In simple words renewable energy definition is deriving energy from natural resources.

Renewable energy sources are those that are recyclable, clean energy are those that do not release pollutants like carbon dioxide, and green energy is that which comes from natural sources.

Types of Renewable Energy Sources like a perfect renewable energy source examples, the amount of solar energy we can use varies according to the time of day and the season of the year as well as geographical location.

The power is collected using solar, or photovoltaic (PV), cells made from silicon or other materials. These cells transform sunlight into electricity and can power anything from the smallest garden light to entire neighborhoods. Natural energy resources are the most effective future we see ahead of us.

1. Wind energy

We’ve come a long way from old-fashioned windmills being renewable energy examples. Today, turbines as tall as skyscrapers—with turbines nearly as wide in diameter—stand at attention around the world. Wind energy turns a turbine’s blades, which feeds an electric generator and produces electricity.

 Wind energy is the largest source of renewable power in the UK. There are almost 11,000 turbines on and offshore, generating nearly 66 million MWh of electricity a year. That’s the equivalent of powering over 18 million homes1!. It’s one of the renewable energy the clean facts that have left us thinking about wind energy.

2. Solar Energy

Solar is the most common of the energy sources that is derived from renewable sources. The amount of solar energy that reaches the earth’s surface in one hour is more than the planet’s total energy requirements for a whole year. Although it sounds interesting, renewable energy resources are the main reason why the air is not being polluted. Solar powered energy systems are also clean energy sources, since they don’t produce air pollutants or greenhouse gasses. If the panels are responsibly sited and manufactured they can also count as green energy as they don’t have an adverse environmental impact.

3. Hydro energy

Hydroelectric power works in a similar manner to wind power in that it is used to spin a generator’s turbine blades to create electricity. Hydropower uses fast moving water in rivers or from waterfalls to spin the turbine blades and is widely used in some countries.  It is currently the largest renewable energy source in the United States, although wind energy is fast closing the gap. Renewable energy and non renewable energy work hand in hand, the energy is derived from natural resources.

Did you know? Hydropower is the most widely-used renewable power source. It accounts for more than 54% of the global renewable power generation capacity, and 18% of the world’s total power generation. It’s one of the renewable energy facts that got us thinking about hydro energy.

4. Geothermal energy

Geothermal energy uses the heat trapped in the Earth’s core which is created by the slow decay of radioactive particles in rocks at the center of the planet. By drilling wells, we are able to bring highly heated water to the surface which can be used as a hydrothermal resource to turn turbines and create electricity. These renewable energy resources can be made greener by pumping the steam and hot water back into the earth, thereby lowering emissions.

Renewable energy looks set to be a large part of the future energy mix, along with other clean sources such as nuclear power. The drive towards a greener future for power production is promoting a rise in job creation in renewable power industries such as solar and wind. This trend looks set to continue as governments strive to reach net zero.