What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy is a form of energy that can be “utilized again and again without putting a source in danger of getting depleted, expired, or vanished.” Essentially, renewable energy is sustainable energy. 

This differs from fossil fuels, which are hydrocarbon-containing (flammable) materials that are naturally produced within Earth’s crust by the fossilization of dead plants and animals. These fossil fuels are then burned to create heat and electricity, as the dead plants and animals store sunlight, which can be released through their combustion. 

Fossil fuels are especially good at generating energy because, when they undergo fossilization, the dead matter is converted to pure combustible material as the non-hydrocarbon parts are broken down over time. Energy can be created from fossil fuels by burning them. For example, coal is a pure carbon fossil fuel. At a coal plant, coal is burned to create heat.It requires a small amount of energy to burn coal, which in turn releases a large amount of heat that is used to boil water, creating steam that moves massive turbines that convert kinetic energy into electricity.

Fossil fuels are not sustainable due to several factors. For one, there is a finite amount of them. In addition, they generate a large amount of carbon dioxide (carbon and oxygen gas), which warms the atmosphere because CO2 traps heat from the sun.

Renewable energy, on the other hand, has little impact on the environment, so it can be used indefinitely.

How does renewable energy work?

There are several different methods to generate energy sustainably, many of which you have probably seen or heard of.

Wind Power

Similar to the method of energy production used by coal plants, wind power is generated by turning massive turbines as well. However, rather than burn coal naturally occurring wind turns these turbines in order to generate energy, avoiding environmental degradation resulting from carbon release.

Solar Power

Solar power is generated by capturing sunlight with solar panels, where the sunlight disrupts and removes electrons from atoms, which can be stored in a lower layer. Essentially, they collect electrons, which is what electricity is made out of. The collected electrons, electricity, can then be transported to power all sorts of things.

Hydropower

Hydropower also utilizes turbines like wind power and coal plants, but water, rather than wind or steam, moves these turbines, usually by falling or through a current.

Geothermal Power

Geothermal power is generated by using the heat produced by geothermal reservoirs such as volcanoes and geysers to heat water, and, you guessed it, turn turbines.

So there you go, you now have a general understanding of renewable energy, but…

Why should we use renewable energy?

There are several reasons renewable energy practices should be adopted worldwide. For one, renewable energies do not cause climate change like fossil fuels. Fossil fuels warm the atmosphere by releasing heat trapping gasses like carbon dioxide, which is not produced bythe process of generating renewable energy. In addition, public health is improved by better air quality, which is achieved by using renewable energy sources. Renewable energy is also highly reliable.

Hopefully, this explanation gave you a much needed understanding of renewable energy and its benefits. As greater investments are made in renewable energy, the more energy alternatives will be available to ultimately replace fossil fuels.