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Renewable Energy

Energy that is generated from the sun, wind, tides, and geothermal heat is considered renewable energy.  Because this energy comes from the earth’s natural resources it will never run out and it is an excellent resource for powering many things.  Most renewable power is produced large-scale, however, there are some minor applications un rural areas or even single homes.  The market for renewable power is growing rapidly as we continue to use up the non-renewable resources on earth to provide us with energy.  Climate change, high oil prices, and lessened availability to oil and other resources has led to increased government support for renewable power. 

The earth receives hundreds of million watts of radiation from the sun to its upper atmosphere on a daily basis.  It is estimated that 30% is reflected back into space and the remaining 70% is taken in by the clouds, land, and water of the earth.  This absorption raises the overall temperature of the earth’s crust.   The total renewable energy that is absorbed by the earth in an hour is typically more than the entire world uses in one year.  There is so much energy that is taken in by the earth that the amount we receive in one year about doubles the energy that we will ever receive from non-renewable resources.  Solar power would be more than enough to supply all of the energy needs of the earth for its entire existence. 

Wind energy has been used for centuries to using wind turbines to create an electric current.   Wind energy is un-storable so it must be used as it is created.  This decreases the use of wind power currently, however it is a great alternative to the use of fossil fuels because it can be widely distributed, it is natural, clean and produces no emissions.  This form of renewable energy is quickly becoming the best option for the use of energy worldwide.

 

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