Different energy sources supply us with the energy we need to live and work. They include wind, solar geothermal, biomass, as well as geothermal sources. These sources are not only an important source of electricity, but they can also be used for heating and transport. The major issue for these energy sources is that they could cause greenhouse gas emissions when used to generate electricity. This creates the need for more sustainable energy sources.
The most popular kind of energy is called fossil fuels, which consist of coal oil, natural gas. They were created millions of years ago when prehistoric animals and plants died and were buried beneath layers of sedimentary rocks. When the conditions were right they were gradually transformed into carbon-rich compounds that, when burned generate energy. These fossil fuels won’t be renewable, as they’ll be depleted in our lifetimes or in a number of lifetimes.
Renewable energy sources are constantly replenished. The primary renewable energy source is sunlight, which gives heat and light. It is used to power our homes and businesses and to drive vehicles. Wind is an energy source that is renewable and generates electricity by spinning turbines. Since the first people discovered how to harness wind, we have been using it for millennia. Finally, we use biochemical processes to create ethanol (a clear alcohol that can be used to create fuel) from waste and crop residues.
Hydropower is the main renewable energy source in America, but biofuels and wind will soon take over. Hydropower relies on nature’s water cycle to harness the power of swiftly flowing water, which is then used in turn to produce electricity.