What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy is what we call clean energy. These energies are produced from natural sources or are processed, such that the sources are inexhaustible. For instance, sunlight and wind are natural and unlimited sources.
Renewable energy is in high demand and of greater importance than ever. It accounts for more than one-eighth of energy production in the US.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is the heat that is produced when the radioactive particles at the Earth’s core slowly decay. The heat rises from the core to the surface of the Earth. The hot underground water is brought up to the surface by drilling deep wells. The water is then pumped through a turbine in order to generate electricity.
Geothermal plants have a lower rate of emission. There are ways other than underground reservoirs to create geothermal plants; however, there may be a risk of earthquakes.
- In the US, geothermal plants in seven states produced about 16 billion kWh, which is equal to 0.4% of electricity on the utility-scale.
- As of 2013, there are 64 operating geothermal plants in the US.
One example of the use of geothermal energy is “hot spring”.
Solar Energy
Solar energy has been used by humans for a long time. We have been using sunlight for staying warm, growing plants and vegetables as well as to dry foods.
Solar panels made of silicon or other materials use the photons from sunlight and transform the solar energy into electrical energy.
- Solar energy is responsible for more than 2% of electricity produced in the US as of 2019.
- Based on the data of 2018, the US has more than 2,500 utility-scale Solar Farms.
Solar energy is the cleanest and efficient source of energy. They do not produce any greenhouse gas.
