Clean Energy for Green Earth – Power Generation & Energy Sources

In many countries today, a lot is said about using renewable energy technologies – especially in light of rising oil prices. Renewable energy is power that has been generated from renewable resources – in other words, it does not “run out” or eventually become depleted. It can be continuously recreated. It is not just the price of oil that has people searching for clean and renewable energy sources. Global warming problems and problems of international pollution has triggered this concern also. Governments around the world have begun to support research into improving renewable energy technologies. At present, five common renewable energy sources are biomass, hydro, geothermal, wind and solar. Biomass Biomass consists of organic matter produced by animals and plants. Biomass energy uses stored energy from the sun. This is a result of the natural process that all plants use to survive – photosynthesis. Because we can always grow new crops and trees, biomass is seen as a form of renewable energy. In addition, organic waste is used to create biomass as well. Some examples of commonly used biomass fuel crops, wood waste and manure. When these materials are burned, they emit heat which produces steam, which in turn can be used to generate electricity. Some biomass is converted to other usable forms of energy such as methane gas or biodiesel. Hydropower Hydropower is one of the oldest forms of renewable energy. It was used in antiquity to grind grain. Coal was once the only source of power in the U.S.. But in 1880, was the first hydroelectric power station built, and since then several of these have been raised in order to provide people with electricity. geothermal Geothermal Energy comes from inside the Earth. The steam or heat, which originates from the center of the earth can be used to regulate temperature in buildings, and can be used to generate electricity as well.
Because water can always be supplemented by rain, and because the earth’s core maintains its temperature, this is regarded as a form of renewable energy. Wind Power Even the omnipresent wind can provide a renewable energy source. Wind is created by the uneven heating of the earth’s surface which causes air to move. Thus wind power is mainly a by-product of solar energy. Wind propellers used to collect wind kinetic energy, which turns turbines, which in turn is used to generate electricity. Solar Power This form of renewable energy will be available as long as the sun shines. Solar energy can either be used as thermal energy, or it can be converted into electricity. As a thermal energy can be used to heat water or spaces. Through the use of solar cells or other photovoltaic devices, it can be used to create electricity. The heat from the sun can also be used to create steam, which comes turbines and thus generate electricity.