Most parts of the world make use of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and oil at the moment for all their energy needs. These sources of fuel are considered nonrenewable because the society tends to use them faster than they can be renewed.
Nonrenewable energy sources make up about 90% of the energy that is currently being used today. These sources of fuel are constantly being depleted and since they are known to have adverse effects on air quality they cause human as well as environmental problems. A greater emphasis is currently being placed on renewable energy sources in order to get energy. Most renewable energy sources that we have consist of solar, hydro, geothermal and the ocean energy sources. These sources of energy never become exhausted and they are friendly to the environment as they do not add to greenhouse effects or cause global warming.
Solar energy is one of the most readily available sources of energy. The energy of the sun has been used as a source of energy for billions of years. Prehistoric men magnified the strength of the sun in order to create fire. Nowadays you have solar panels which absorb energy in order from the sun to produce heat for cooking as well as heating and also for electrical needs. Heat absorption is stored for use later on and is an indirect conversion of such energy. Electric companies are currently trying to use photovoltaic technologies in order to convert solar energy directly into electricity.
Hydro energy tends to draw on energy that is produced by flowing water. Waves are one result of the winds interaction with the sea surface. This interaction ends up producing a transfer of energy which can then be extracted for power generation while using turbine generations. Hydropower may not be polluting but it can cause environmental harm, hydroelectric generating stations can easily change the flow of the seas and do harm to plants as well as animals.
Wind energy which is a form of kinetic energy tends to be drawn from the movement of the air. This energy has been used for centuries in order to aid sailing, grinding of grains and irrigation too. Nowadays you have wind turbines that transform energy from wind into mechanical energy or in order to charge your batteries. Wind machines or wind turbines collect kinetic energy by trapping the wind in their blades; these blades now turn an electric generator in order to produce electricity. Unfortunately on days that there is no wind, wind energy cannot be collected. Though it is a clean form of energy it has negative effects on the wild bird population and a number of people consider these giant wind turbine machines an eyesore.
Biomass energy is derived from wood, garbage, food crops, manure, grasses, plats, agricultural as well as forestry waste and residue. Biomass energy tends to come from refuse. It is not a new source of energy and it was used in wood burning centuries ago which supplied at least 90% of the energy needs at the time. When biomass is burned the result is either heat or electricity. Biomass may also be converted into methane gas which is the primary ingredient of natural gas. Natural gas makes up 3% of the energy currently being used in the United States today. Biomass can pollute the air and releases greenhouse gases but it does not pollute as much as fossil fuels.
Geothermal energy refers to the heat of the Earth. This sort of energy is drawn from hot dry rocks, magma, hot water springs and geysers. These can all be found within the Earth’s underground. Some can be found deep within the earth while others are much closer to the surface. Currently this energy can be used to heat water within swimming pools as well as spas. This energy is also used to warm up greenhouses. It may also be used to produce electricity through the use of a geothermal power plant. In such plants hot water travels through turbines which have been connected by a generator.
Ocean Energy is derived from ocean waves and the differences in temperature of the water. Wave energy is a kinetic energy that is derived from water movement. Tidal energies trap tidal waves in reservoirs located behind the dams. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion makes use of the differences that exist in water temperature from the surface water to water depths that are further below as an energy source. In order for this to work, a temperature difference of at least 38 degrees Fahrenheit must exist.
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