Energy Sources - Renewable & Alternative Energy Sources
Renewable Energy Sources:
Renewable energy is energy from a non-nuclear source. Renewable energy sources can be replenished in a short period of time. Renewable energy effectively uses natural resources like sunlight, wind, rain, tides & geothermal heat - which are generally replenished. Renewable energy sources range from solar power, wind power, hydroelectricity/micro hydro, biomass and biofuels for transportation.
Sun: Solar energy is energy that comes straightaway from the sun. The sun is a constant natural source of heat & light, radiation from sun can be converted to electricity.
Wind: Natural circumstances of climate and geography produce the winds that blow across the landscape. Historically, windmills were used to provide mechanical energy.
Water: Like the winds, flowing water is a product of the earth’s climate & geography. Snowmelt & runoff from precipitation at higher elevations flow towards sea level in streams & rivers. In earlier days, water wheels used the power of flowing water to turn grinding stones and to run mechanical equipment. Modern hydro-turbines use water power to generate hydroelectricity.
Biomass: Biomass is a renewable source of energy because the natural process of photosynthesis constantly produces new organic matter in the growth of tree & plants. Photosynthesis stores the sun’s energy in organic matter. Biomass is used to make heat, electricity and liquid fuels.
Earth: Heat from deep within the earth is called "geothermal energy." In some areas, geothermal energy is so close enough to the surface that, by drilling a well to reach the heat source, the energy can be extracted and used for heating buildings and other purposes. Where the temperatures are hot enough, geothermal energy can be used to generate electricity.
Alternative Energy Sources:
Alternative energy refers to energy sources which are not based on the burning of fossil fuels or the splitting of atoms. Alternative energy sources are the resources for producing energy which in turn can fuel our societies, vehicles, machinery, etc.
Solar power is one of the most important of all alternative energy sources. Solar power controls the wind and the waves which are used in wind energy and hydro-energy. Solar power is accountable for feeding the plants and animals that are now known as coal and fossil fuels. The sun has played a crucial role in providing us with free, never ending, energy. The term renewable energy sources stands for energy such as solar power. Alternative energy sources hold the key towards the future. Without them, our planet will eventually head into a blackout, or back to the middle Ages.
Following are some possible alternatives energy sources
Solar
Wind Power
Geothermal
Tides
Hydroelectric
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