Sources of renewable energy refer to techniques of generating power sustainably from the natural world. Renewable energy is also referred to as green energy. It is different from non-renewable energy as it doesn’t depend on sources of energy that are finite such as coal or other fossil fuels. Typically, renewable energy gets its power by utilising nature to generate heat, drive turbines, or extract fuel from organic waste. It doesn’t involve carbon emissions. To extract or capture energy in a sustainable manner from the natural world, specific skills, technologies, and tools are needed, each custom-made as per each renewable energy source. It is always wise to involve a renewable energy company while installing a renewable energy source such as solar in your home. To get a reputable energy company, use review sites such as Britainreviews.co.uk to compare energy companies reviews. Avoid the negatively reviewed renewable energy companies. There are multiple renewable energy types, all with identical aspects that differentiate them from nuclear energy and fossil fuel. These includes:
- Renewable energy doesn’t impact the environment negatively.
- Then don’t run out
- They don’t produce by-products that are hazardous and which will need intricate and costly waste management
- They don’t result in greenhouse gas emissions that are harmful.
Below are the five renewable energy sources.
The five renewable resources
Wind energy
Turbines that are either sited offshore or onshore are used to harness wind’s kinetic energy to produce electricity. The wind makes the blades of propellers run, and some mechanical mechanisms in the nacelle behind the blades help the turbine turn the motion into electricity. Wind energy is known to produce some of the most affordable renewable energy on the market currently, a critical factor that has made it popular among most suppliers of green energy. The UK is known to have a windy climate and is one of the leading producers of wind energy globally.
Solar energy
Solar energy utilises sunlight and converts it into electricity to power buildings, including homes. This is one of the sources of renewable energy that is most popular globally. Typically depending on the design used, solar panels either convert sunlight into electricity or captures the heat. They can be efficient even when used out of warm climates.
Hydroelectric energy
This is one of the longstanding and established renewable energy types in the UK. The UK has dozens of reservoirs, dams and run-of-river schemes all over the country, especially in wales and Scotland. Typically, the reservoirs and dams are massive emergency batteries that help supply the national grid when there is a deficit in supply or when the demand is at its peak. The reservoirs and dams within seconds release thousands of litres of water which drives turbines with the help of the gravitational force. Hydroelectric dams are more beneficial than traditional nuclear, gas and coal stations as they can change their output energy very fast in just a matter of seconds, thus producing electricity quickly.
Biomass
Anaerobic digestion plants usually process biomass or organic waste from various sources to get biogas and fertilising by-products. The composition principle is utilised while producing biomass power, but it’s now scaled up to an industrial level. While biogas can’t directly replace natural gas used on the countries’ gas networks, processing it helps eliminate impurities, increases methane content, and adds a recognisable scent for safety purposes.
Tidal energy
In tidal energy, moving water is used to produce electricity. The consistency and power of tides, when effectually used, can produce clean electricity. There are a variety of methods that can be used to produce power from tidal currents. The least intrusive method involves using a network of turbines under the water in positions having a substantial difference in height between incoming and outgoing tides. Mostly bays and estuaries are perfect places for tidal power plants. There are various designs for free-standing underwater turbines, from underwater kites that can trail together with the current and thus convert the underwater movement to clean electricity to turbines with a propellor design.
Another option in tidal energy production is to construct a tidal barrage that will entirely block an estuary or bay. This involves a low-lying sea wall design, having turbines that are fixed to its base. The ebb and flow of the sea activate the turbines. Sections of the tidal barrage can be cut through to make it possible for maritime traffic to flow freely.
In conclusion, with the adverse effects that climate change presents to the planet, there has been an increase in clean energy adoption. With this article, the various renewable and clean energy sources are discussed to help the reader understand them better.