A renewable energy is a kind of energy that comes from and glows within the natural resources such as geothermal heat, tides, rain, wind, and sunlight. All of which are naturally replenished or renewable. Apparently, some technologies of renewable energy are criticized for being unsightly or intermittent. Despite this reason, the market of renewable energy continues to grow. With the increasing government support, peak oil, high oil prices, and climate change concerns, the legislation of commercialization and incentives for renewable energy is increasing.
Since renewable energy is derived natural replenishment, it often process constantly. Whether the energy is derived directly from the sun or generated heat from within the earth, renewable energy may come in various forms. Each of these forms has its own unique characteristics that influence where and how they are being used. When we speak of generated heat from within the earth, it may include hydrogen, bio fuels, geothermal resources, biomass, hydropower, ocean, wind, and solar.
Wind power is a form of renewable energy that can run wind turbines. This is the reason why areas wherein winds are more constant and stronger are the preferred place for the installation of wind turbines as well as wind farms. Among these areas include those with high altitude and offshore sites. The technical potential of wind power or wind energy is long-term since it is said to be five times of the total energy production globally. Since wind power is renewable, it produces non-greenhouse gases such as methane and carbon dioxide during its process.
Another form of renewable energy that comes from natural resources is the hydropower or water energy. This energy form can be used and harnessed on water. Compared to air, water is 800 times denser. Even a moderate sea swell or slow flowing stream of water can capitulates substantial amounts of energy. Water energy has its many forms as well that includes hydroelectric, micro hydro, and dam-less hydro.
Solar energy is a renewable energy derived from the sun. The energy is derived through the form of solar radiation. The electrical generation of solar energy relies on heat engines and photovoltaics. Other solar energy applications of industrial purposes include space cooling and heating through high temperature process, solar cooking, solar hot water, day lighting, and solar architecture. Depending on the way of capturing, distributing, and converting of solar energy, the solar technologies are widely characterized as either active solar or passive solar.
The biomass is a form of renewable energy since its energy contents generally comes from the sun. Through photosynthesis process, plants capture energy from the sun. As the plants get burned, it releases the sun’s energy it had captured. In this process, biomass acts as a natural battery for solar energy storage.
Biofuel is also a form of renewable energy from biodiesel or bioalcohol. The biodiesel is made from recycled greases, animal fats, or vegetable oils. Its purest form can be used as fuel for vehicles but commonly it is used as a diesel additive to decrease levels of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulates. The bioethanol is an alcohol made from fermentation of sugar components from plant material such as starch and sugar crops.
Lastly among the forms of renewable energy is the geothermal energy. This energy is obtained by hitting the heat of the earth itself. The hitting can be both from the deep kilometer crust of the earth or from some meters of geothermal heat pump in all regions of the earth.