In
contrast to fossil fuel energy sources like the oil,
natural gas or coal that is limited, renewable energy is
energy from a non-nuclear source that is forever
available as long as the solar system exists. However,
there are five distinctive renewable sources of energy
that are available in our planet and they are (1) the
sun; (2) the wind; (3) heat from within the earth; (4)
flowing water and (5) biomass. And now let us see how
each of these renewable energy
resources helps us in our day-to-day life on the
earth.
Sun
The
sun provides us with solar energy which is a steady
natural source of heat and light while its radiation can
be converted to electricity through photovoltaic cells.
The sun is also an indirect source for creating wind
which is another renewable energy source. When certain
portions of the earth’s surface including land area and
water body get unequally heated up by sunrays, the air
above the portion that gets heated up more than its
neighboring area loses its density and goes up. This
creates a temporary void in that area when air from the
adjacent area rushes in to fill the void. This
phenomenon commonly called the Thermal is
responsible for wind velocity or wind
power.
Wind
As
earlier said, wind is created due to Thermal as also
on account of the earth’s rotational force on its own
axis which drags the immediate surface air with it.
However, the air on the higher level does not get
affected on account of the rotational force and the
resultant clash between the two wind forces give rise to
turbulence and storm. Storm can be caused due to other
factors as well. However, the wind velocity created by
Thermal or other factors have been utilized by people
since time immemorial in several ways. Sailing ships
toiled through the seas with wind on their sails while
the early Persian built windmills to grind corn or to
lift water. Wind turbines driven by wind energy now
generate electricity in most
Heat
From Within the Earth
The
earth during its formation days consisted of round mass
of molten lava. Although it took billions of years to
cool down and bear life on its surface, its inner core
is still very hot. Called geothermal energy, this heat
is sometimes found close enough to the earth’s surface
when it can be reached by drilling a well near about.
Geothermal energy can also be used to generate
electricity.
Flowing
Water
Not
unlike the wind, flowing water is also a form of energy
that is created by the earth’s climatic conditions and
its topography. Mighty rivers and streams rush down to
the plains from high mountains where they form due to
heavy accumulation of snow or incessant rains. The force
of the flowing water is now harnessed to generate
hydro-electricity with the help of hydro-turbines. In
fact, it is the water energy that actually runs the
turbine.
Biomass
Biomass
encompasses plants, trees, vegetation, grass and in
fact, all organic matter available on the earth. It is
also a renewable source of energy as solar energy,
through photosynthesis is continuously creating new
organic matter in plant life. Biomass is sued to
generate heat which in turn can generate electricity. It
is also used to produce liquid
fuels.
Among the renewable energy resources, wind power has become very popular in recent years not only because it is a safe and clean energy but also due to the fact that the cost of wind power is less and it is hassle free. The benefits of wind power are both financial as well as ecological and that is why governments of many countries are promoting this. You can also set up a system at home to make your own power. All you need to do is know certain things that include where to set it up and how to do it, how to wire the system, where to get the parts from and also the safety precautions. Here is a guide that gives you all this information.
