There are many alternative energy sources that can be used in order to generate electricity. These types of energy have their own differences. Wind energy, for example, uses the force of the wind, while solar energy takes the light from the sun and transforms it into electricity. Hydraulic energy is another form of alternative energy. It is derived using the power of water and geothermal is derived by the high temperatures of Earth. There are many types of biomass available that can be used as energy sources. Biomass, an organic material that is made from organic waste, is used to generate energy. This process produces biogas, which is a gas that is created through anaerobic decomposition of organic matter.
Renewable energy
Renewable energy offers many advantages for people, businesses, the environment, and other stakeholders. Renewable energy sources make up approximately 12 percent of all energy in America today. It is used for all kinds of energy needs from rooftop solar panels to large-scale wind farms. Renewable energy is becoming more popular in rural areas. The key to increasing the use of renewable energy is modernizing the electricity grid.
Renewable energy is the cheapest form of energy generation and its costs continue to fall. It's also an alternative source of energy that is safe. Security of energy supply is critical due to the rising energy prices worldwide and geopolitical instability. Renewable energy is the only solution to expanding energy access in rural areas and low-income communities.
Wave energy
Wave energy is an attractive renewable source for energy. The oceans cover 71% of the earth's surface so it is a viable source for kinetic energy. It will also produce less carbon than fossil fuels. It has many other advantages. Waves are a renewable energy source that will not disappear anytime soon, because they are made from heat from the sun.
Waves can generate energy powerful enough to power thousands of homes. An average wave on the West Coast generates 10 kW of energy per feet. The waves' energy can be used to generate electricity, which can then be added to the electric utility power grid. It is estimated that waves from the coast of Africa can generate approximately 80,000 TWh each year.
Geothermal energy
Geothermal resource owners have many options, including investment credits and qualification status under state Renewable Portfolio Standards. Geothermal resource have been granted production tax credits as part of the American Jobs Creation Act of (2004), which amended the 1992 renewable energy production tax credit (PTC). Additionally, geothermal resources can be eligible for a shorter duration.
Geothermal energy is derived from heat trapped within the earth since its formation millions of years ago. It is also derived from radioactive decay of minerals, and solar energy absorbed close to the surface. High-temperature geothermal heat is most commonly harvested in areas that have a high temperature. Even cold ground can have heat stored. In undisturbed regions, the average temperature of the ground is consistently at or above Mean Annual Air Temperature.
Wind energy
Wind energy is a renewable source for energy that harnesses the natural forces of wind. Wind turbines use a generator and rotor to convert the kinetic energy from air currents into electricity. Wind energy is an efficient, reliable, and safe source of energy. It is a valuable resource for the energy transition and decarbonization.
It is stable and has a lower cost than electricity from fossil fuels. It does not require any combustion and produces very minimal greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, wind farms only require a fraction of conventional electricity generation land. Wind farms are often located in rural areas, and landowners pay rent for the land. The initial investment in wind farm is large, but the payback period is short. Usually, it takes only one year.
Biomass
Biomass, a renewable resource, can be used in the production of electricity, heat and water. Because of its high hydrogen content, it is a great source for power and fuel. It is also used for stationary fuel cells, which are used for electricity generation in remote or wilderness areas. A Beijing chicken farm uses the manure and water from 3 million chickens to produce electricity. The USA's first biomass gasification facility was established in Burlington in Vermont in 1998. The plant uses low-quality plants and harvest residue to produce 50 megawatts.
Many advantages are offered by biomass fuels over fossil fuels. One advantage is that biomass fuels don't deplete as quickly as fossil fuels. If managed well, biomass can be a significant source of renewable energy as well as a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Biomass is carbon-neutral and is therefore better for the environment that fossil fuels. By contrast, fossil fuels are known to release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and have other harmful effects.