7 Types of Renewable Energy

Renewable energy usage has grown in the United States since 2015, and according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), renewable energy accounts for 11% of total energy consumption. Renewable energies are replenishable natural resources like sunlight that is inexhaustible and differs from finite resources like coal. Consuming renewable energies can be less harmful to the planet, and properly cultivating them can reduce your ecological footprint while saving money. 

What energy is renewable?

Solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, ocean, hydrogen, and biomass energies are renewable energies. The following is a brief explanation of each type of renewable energy and some of its advantages and disadvantages: 

Solar Energy

Solar energy can use sunlight to create heat, electricity, or hot water. Photovoltaic systems and solar panels convert direct sunlight into electricity that can be stored and used for homes, businesses, and even vehicles. Read more here about how you can use solar energy to improve your quality of life.  

Solar energy can help you save on energy costs, is frequently incentivized by governments through tax credits, reduces carbon footprints, and can be harvested. However, solar energy systems come with up-front expenses, require sunlight, and need space to be installed. 

Wind Energy

Wind energy can be cultivated by wind turbines and converted into electricity. According to the EIA, wind energy is the most consumed renewable energy source in the U.S., passing hydroelectricity. Wind energy doesn't pollute the air, can be used as a power source, or supplementary, and can create jobs. 

Wind energy does have its share of drawbacks; for instance, wind turbines are enormous and need lots of space. The construction of wind power plants also involves significant infrastructure and planning.  Therefore wind energy can be costly because it needs to be transported to metropolitan areas, and those transportation lines can disturb skylines and create noise. Also, wind turbines can threaten wildlife populations due to animals being killed by the turbines' revolving arms.

Hydroelectric Energy

Hydroelectric power can be generated by dams and underwater turbines using flowing water to generate electricity. Hydroelectric energy doesn't cause pollution; however, fossil fuels are used to pump water, and most hydroelectric facilities use more energy than they're able to cultivate. Hydroelectric power can also disrupt freshwater ecosystems, waterways, water levels, and fish migrations. 

Ocean Energy

Oceans can produce thermal energy by cultivating warm waters or mechanical energy by harvesting the ebb's energy and flow of tides. Mechanical ocean energy can be one of the most reliable and abundant forms of renewable energy for those who live close enough to the ocean to reap the benefits. However, this energy isn't available to those who live far from the sea, can disrupt ocean habitats, and fluctuates with the weather. 

Geothermal Energy

Heat trapped beneath the earth's crust can be converted into geothermal energy. Since this energy can be cultivated underground, it has a small footprint on the land and is naturally replenished. Geothermal facilities, however, can be costly and are vulnerable to earthquakes. \

Hydrogen Energy

Hydrogen energy can be used as a clean-burning fuel or electricity. Hydrogen is found combined with other elements and needs to be separated to be used as an energy source. Hydrogen energy, once separated, can be used for fuel cells that power things like electric cars. 

Biomass Energy

Biomass energy cultivates organic matter for fuel, and the regeneration of plants negates the amount of carbon dioxide it produces. These plants require time to grow, and biofuel cultivation isn't as widespread as other renewable energy technologies. 

Related Article:

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