The Main Types of Renewable Energy and How They Work

Now, more than ever, it's clear to see that mankind's over-reliance on fossil fuels like oil and gas cannot continue indefinitely. Reams of research and proven scientific data show that climate change is well underway, thanks in large part to humanity's rapid development since the days of the Industrial Revolution and our extensive burning of the planet's resources for energy purposes.

While oil and gas industries remain vital for economical and practical reasons, the world is gradually shifting towards greener alternatives, also known as renewable forms of energy. These alternative options are more sustainable than coal, oil, and gas, as well as being less damaging for the world at large, but what are they and how do they function?

This guide will take a closer look at some of the main forms of renewable energy in closer detail, helping you understand how each one functions and the ways in which we might be able to make better use of them all as the years go on in order to undo some of the damage caused by climate change and protect the planet for future generations.

What Are Renewable Energy Sources? 

Before we look at the different types of renewable energy, it's important to understand what these forms of energy truly represent. A renewable energy source, as the name implies, is one that can renew itself naturally, making it sustainable. 

These forms of energy effectively won't run out, so we can rely on them for generations, using them over and over without worrying about the well ever running dry. This is in stark contrast to non-sustainable energy sources, like coal, which is finite and won't last forever.

Solar Energy 

One of the most effective forms of renewable energy is solar energy. As well as heating and illuminating our world each day, the sun can be an invaluable resource for generating energy that can be used to power homes and activate appliances all over the globe, with statistics showing that a single hour of sunlight can theoretically give our planet enough energy to survive for an entire year. 

Unfortunately, in practice, harnessing solar energy isn't quite as simple as that, as we can only gather solar energy at certain times of year and day, and some places don't see much sunlight at all. However,  the technology behind solar panels is improving in order to make them more efficient and effective, promising an even brighter future for solar power.

Wind Energy 

Many forms of green, clean, or renewable energy are focused on making the most of the natural elements that surround us each day, and wind energy is a perfect example of this, with a simple breeze or gust of wind effectively able to generate power, when harnessed in the correct way. 

Wind farms are starting to spring up more frequently all over the world, with great clusters of turbines often seen on hilly ground, blades spinning around and around in the breeze. These turbines are connected to generators, and as the wind blows, power is made that can be fed through to homes, workplaces, and more.

Hydro Energy 

One of the most advanced forms of renewable energy, for now, is hydro energy. Water is one of the most plentiful and powerful resources on our planet, and it's fully sustainable, with every drop always eventually returning to the oceans and seas from whence it came. In order to make the most of hydropower, dams or barriers are built that control the flow of water over a specialized turbine. 

As with wind power, when water flows over the turbine, a connected generator begins to power up. One of the best advantages of this form of green energy is that it's very reliable. The amount of sun and wind we get each day can vary, but water in reservoirs and lakes can be easily controlled to provide the same levels of power every single day.

Tidal Energy 

Like hydro energy, tidal energy is reliant on the power of water. However, while many hydroelectric plants are constructed around reservoirs, tidal power generators can be situated around coastlines, taking the power of the tide and waves to make the power that can be fed into homes and businesses around the world. 

Daily tidal currents produce immense physical forces that can be harnessed to drive turbine generators, and one of the positive aspects of this form of energy is, once again, the fact that it's very reliable as tides occur every single day and can be predicted with impressive accuracy.

Geothermal Energy 

Deep down beneath our feet, far under the surface of the Earth, an endless sea of magma can be found. We see little glimpses of the Earth's inner heat through volcanoes, and we can actually harness this heat through the form of geothermal energy. 

To produce this kind of energy, deep wells are dug into the ground in order to tap into the steam and boiling water below, which can then be used to drive turbine generators. The usefulness and relevance of geothermal energy can vary from place to place, depending on access to geothermal sources, but it can be a very useful resource in some parts of the world.

Biomass or Biofuel 

When we talk about the concept of biomass or biofuel, we're essentially discussing the burning of organic materials, like grasses, woods, and plants in order to produce electricity. On the face of it, it doesn't sound like the most eco-friendly option, but advancements in the way biofuel is made have helped to make the process much cleaner and greener overall. 

Waste products from agricultural and industrial sources can be converted into solid or liquid fuel sources, allowing us to effectively get rid of waste products and make energy out of them in the process, rather than simply filling up landfills or harming ecosystems.

Final Word

With so many alternative fuel options available, humanity has hope of building a brighter and greener future that won't be quite as reliant on environmentally damaging fuels.