Renewable energy is the energy obtained from the earth’s natural resources, like the sun, wind, etc., that are replenishing and do not run out.
The types of renewable sources of energy contribute to the various amounts of our electricity mixed with non-renewable energy types such as fossil fuels and nuclear energy.
And can be used to produce electricity, space heating, water cooling, and the movement of things from one place to another, commonly known as transportation.
Renewable energy is sometimes related to green and clean energy, but the difference varies. Where renewable sources are reusable, clean energy does not produce pollutants like carbon dioxide, and green energy comes from a natural or essential source.
Frequently, there is always a mix between these energy types, and not all types of renewable sources of energy are clean or green. For example, some hydroelectric roots can cause deforestation.
Ever heard of the term Alternative energy? It is a substitute for renewable energy, and they depend solely on fossil fuels and do not cause any harm to the environment.
Renewable Energy Was the Major Energy Source for Most of Human History
For most of the human biography, biomass from plants amidst the types of renewable sources of energy was the primary energy source that was burned for heat and to feed animals, especially for transportation.
As time went by in the mid-1900s, fossil fuel was the primary energy source. The use of biomass for heating remained in the rural area.
The use of biomass and the other types of renewable sources of energy increased mainly because of their use in generating electricity.
In the 21st century, fossil fuels such as petrol, coal, and natural gas got about an 80percent of the world’s energy supply.
Renewable energy was rated for nearly 20 percent of global energy consumption in the early 21st century, mainly for the traditional functions and biomass such as wood for heating or cooking food.
In 2105,16 percent of the world’s total electricity came from the massive hydroelectric power plant.
At the same time, the other types of renewable sources of energy like solar, wind, and geothermal contributed to 6 percent of the total electricity generation.
Some energy strategists regarded nuclear power as a renewable energy source because of its low carbon emission.
Types of Renewable Sources of Energy
1. Biomass
It is a viable organic material from plants and animals, including crop waste, trees, and wood. And it is a vital fuel used for heating and cooking in many countries.
The use of biomass fuel for transportation and electricity has increased speedily in many developed countries.
Biomass contains stored energy from the sun, and plants manufacture biomass through a process fondly called photosynthesis, and it can be burned directly for heat using various ways.
Method for Burning Biomass as Fuel
Using wood and wood waste
Many people have used wood for heating, lighting, and cooking for thousands of years. It continues to be a valuable fuel in many countries, and the highest users are wood products and paper manufacturers.
They use paper mil waste to create electricity which saves cost because it reduces the fuel cost, and electricity is available to operate their equipment.
Various power plants burn mostly wood to recreate electricity in the electric section. Also, most coal-burning power plants burn wood chips with coal to reduce or eradicate sulfur dioxide emissions.
Municipal solid waste
Municipal solid waste, often known as garbage, is used to produce energy at waste to energy plants, and it contains materials such as paper, cardboard, grass, and leaves.
They often burnt MSW at particular waste to energy plants that use the fire’s heat to produce steam to create electricity. About 61% of the weight of the MSW recognized biomass material and generated about 45 of electricity.
Landfill Gas and Biomass
It is an energy-rich gas produced from anaerobic decomposition, and biogas is mainly made up of methane.
It can be burnt directly as a fuel or treated to eradicate calcium oxide and other gases like natural gas. Anaerobic biomass decay happens when the bacteria that live without oxygen eat and break down or digest biomass and produce biogas.
It generally occurs in soils, water bodies such as swamps, lakes, and alimentary tracts of humans and animals.
Biogas forms can be received from municipal solid waste and manures from livestock and manufactured under controlled situations in proper tanks called anaerobic digesters.
The substance remaining after digestion is called digestate, and this disgestate is rich in nutrients and serves as fertilizer for crops and animals. The conversion of biomass to biogas is accomplished through gasification.
Biofuels
It usually applies to liquid fuels and combines components manufactured from biomass called feedstocks. for transportation fuels, heating, and generating electricity used.
Most biofuels Gaseous fuels produced from biomass are used directly as gas or changed to liquid fuels. The term for the various biofuels used in government legislation and industry branding varies.
2. Solar Power
The ability of the sun to supply our power needs is exceptionally high because much energy is needed to meet the planet’s power needs for a whole year.
Reaching the earth from the sun takes just one hour. hence, the dispute has always remained on controlling and using the limitless potential.
We use solar energy to heat buildings and power our equipment, and the power is received using solar or photovoltaic cells produced from silicon. These cells convert energy from the sun into electricity and can power the little garden light and the whole neighborhood.
Rooftop panels can wholly supply power to a home, while the solar frames that use mirrors to focus can create and accommodate much larger supplies, and bodies of water can produce the solar farms.
As they can renew them, solar-powered energy systems among the various types of energy sources are also clean energy sources because they do not cause pollution.
3. Wind Power
Wind energy is a by-product of the sun, the sun heating the atmosphere, the earth’s unstable surfaces, and the planets around the sun all coming together creates or forms the wind.
Since the wind is in a much higher supply, it is a sustainable resource for as long as the sun’s ray heats the wind.
The energy operates more like old fashion windmills by using the strength of the wind to turn a blade. When the movement of these blades causes milestones to grind together to produce flour. Today turbines powers a generator to produce electricity
4. Hydroelectric Power
Hydroelectric power shares some similarities with wind energy in terms of operation. It also spun a generator’s turbine blade to produce electricity.
They can near bodies of water, and they use diverse structures like dams to obstruct or change the flow of water.
Hydroelectric dams are one of the types of renewable energy sources, but they are not green energy. Many of the significant barriers change the water source, which negatively influences animals and the population due to the restricted access to the water source;
However, if properly managed, minor hydroelectric power does not harm the surroundings as a small fraction of the water will be diverted.
5. Biomass Energy
it is the changing of solid fuel produced from plants materials into electricity, or it is the burning of organic materials to produce electricity, and it can be renewed and reused if sourced adequately
Recent studies have shown that biomass from the forest can create higher carbon emissions than fossil fuels, which negatively affects biodiversity.
Sawdust and wood choppings can be for biomass energy where they can quickly decompose and release a higher carbon level into the atmosphere.
6. Tidal Power
It offers renewable power supply options since a specific constant gravitational pull of the moon and the power created by a tide may not be stable. Still, it is dependable, making this resource an option for many individuals.
However, the tidal power needs to be handled with care as breakage can cause severe effects on wildlife.
Conclusion
As the world s population increases, so is the need or demand for energy to power our homes, offices, businesses, and communities.
Restructuring and expansion of the different types of renewable sources of energy is the key to maintaining a sustainable level of energy and also protecting our environment from climatic changes.
The different types of renewable sources of energy offer a wide range of benefits, including giving a freely available start to energy production. As the sector increases, job creation has improved to develop and install renewable energy solutions for future uses.
Renewable energy sources also help with greater access in developing nations and reduce energy costs.
