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Renewable energy sources

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Renewable energy sources include hydroelectric power (dams, waves and tides), wind, biomass, solar and geothermal energy. Hydroelectric power plants, wind farms, biomass plants and solar parks can cover a large part of the global energy demand, depending on the amount of investment that these renewable energy sources receive. Here the most important types of renewable energies are described.

Hydroelectric power plants make up a large part of the world's renewable energy generation and can easily be installed in remote rural areas. Small and large dams produce little direct waste and require little maintenance. Sea waves, currents and tides are dynamic and abundant renewable energy sources that remain absolutely ecological. However, these marine sources remain geographically dependent, as energy can only develop along the coasts.

Wind energy is the useful conversion of energy through wind turbines, ie mechanical energy and electricity. Large wind farms are far more common than units for single-family homes. However, the production of housing units is increasing and, depending on the size of the turbine, they can supply households with large appliances. Wind farms on arable land or pastures or on the high seas have the lowest environmental impact of all major renewable energy sources.

Biomass includes biodegradable waste that can be used as fuel (biofuel) or that can produce energy for a community in a biomass plant. Industrial, cellulosic and non-cellulosic biomass / biofuels (biodiesel and ethanol) can be obtained from many types of organic plants and sugarcane besides waste such as algae, weeds, palm trees, sorghum, corn and soybeans. Algae are among the fastest growing plants in the world, and oil accounts for up to 60% of their weight. Algae are a promising source of renewable energy. Wood and wood by-products (such as wood chips) are also suitable sources of biomass. Many types can be used to produce cellulosic biofuels, such as those mentioned above and others.

Photovoltaic solar energy (PV) is about using the sun's energy to generate electricity using photovoltaic cells. Among the fastest growing sources of energy, new technologies are rapidly evolving, bringing solar energy closer to cost equality with fossil fuels as a viable source of power to power the grid. Solar cells become more efficient, thinner, smaller, more portable, more flexible, and even sprayable (eg, paint), allowing for easy installation. With photovoltaic, small and medium-sized applications are operated, from calculators with solar cells to off-grid houses that are powered by a photovoltaic generator. The use of large solar parks or megaparks is growing worldwide. Concentrated solar energy (CSP), solar towers, plates and feeders are growing sources of renewable energy.

Solar thermal energy, including CSP, uses technology to harness the sun's energy, but uses that energy to heat a working fluid that is ultimately the source of energy. In contrast to solar energy, solar thermal energy uses solar energy indirectly to heat water, oil, molten salt or other liquids. One of the benefits of solar thermal is that there are some types of energy storage available when using this form of renewable energy.

Geothermal energy also has small and large designs. Geothermal heat pumps at the lower end of the spectrum are far rarer than industrial plants. Geothermal power plants are located near natural energy sources: tectonic plate boundaries, volcanoes, hot springs and geysers. Geothermal energy is mainly energy generated by natural steam, hot water, hot stones or lava in the earth's crust. Most of the geothermal energy is generated by bringing hot water or steam to the surface so that its heat can be dissipated through a heat exchanger or its pressure used to drive turbines.

Of course, there are two more renewable energy sources. Other types of renewable energy include, in particular, hydrogen and hydrogen fuel cells. Finally, hydrogen can be used to meet global energy needs. Hydrogen fuel cells are used efficiently in Iceland and other European countries. The rest of Europe in the US needs more research and development. UU. Australia uses hydrogen / hydrogen fuel cells effectively as its main source of energy. However, places like Iceland show that this is a viable option.

This article is from the Green City Times. Green City Times is a resource for sustainable development, urban planning, renewable energy, sustainable public transport, energy efficiency and green buildings. Here you will find data and information on renewable energies around the topic of clean coal recycling. You will find information on 7 of the most sustainable cities in the world. The Green City Times also features articles on the latest sustainability technologies.