Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable energy sources are those that are continually replenished and will not run out, unlike finite fossil fuels.
Solar, wind, wave, tidal, geothermal, hydroelectric and biomass are all types of renewable energy.

Solar Energy

Solar energy uses light and heat from the Sun, captured through solar panels.
A solar cell is a device that can convert sunlight directly into electricity using the photovoltaic effect.
Solar power plants use mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto a small area to generate heat, which then drives a steam turbine connected to an electricity generator.
Solar energy does not produce greenhouse gas emissions; however, the manufacture and disposal of solar panels can have environmental impacts.

Wind Energy

Wind energy uses wind turbines to convert the kinetic energy in wind into electrical power.
Wind farms can be on land (‘onshore’) or at sea (‘offshore’).
Wind energy does not produce greenhouse gas emissions, but wind farms can have environmental impacts, including noise and effects on local wildlife.

Wave and Tidal Energy

Wave energy harnesses the power of ocean surface waves to generate electricity.
Tidal energy captures the energy of shifting tides and currents to generate electricity.
Wave and tidal energy sources are predictable but can have impacts on marine ecosystems.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy uses the heat from within the Earth. Holes are drilled into the ground, and water is pumped down. The water is heated and returns to the surface as steam that drives turbines and generates electricity.
Geothermal energy can be used for heating as well as electricity generation.
There are no greenhouse gas emissions, but there may be local environmental impacts such as ground subsidence.

Hydroelectric Power

Hydroelectric power generates electricity by using the gravitational force of flowing or falling water.
Power plants are often built into dams, but small ‘run-of-river’ plants do not need dams.
The construction of large dams can have significant environmental and social impacts.

Biomass Energy

Biomass energy refers to fuels derived from organic materials, including crop waste, wood, and animal manure.
Biomass can be burned directly for heat or used to generate electricity. It can also be converted into biofuels, used for transportation or heating.
There are some emissions generated by burning biomass, but the plants that serve as the source of biomass also absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, which can offset the emissions. If managed sustainably, biomass has the potential to be carbon neutral.

Remember, all types of energy generation have potential downsides and require trade-offs. When considering solutions to energy challenges, it’s important to consider the efficiency, cost, environmental impact, and scalability of each energy source.