Different energy sources provide us with the energy we need to live and work. Geothermal, solar, wind and biomass are just a few of the sources. In addition to being an important source of electricity, these sources can also be used for heat and transport. The major issue with these energy sources is that they may cause greenhouse gas emissions if they are burned to generate electricity. This results in the need for more environmentally sustainable energy sources.
The most widely used kind of energy is called fossil fuels, comprised of coal oil, natural gas. They were formed millions of years ago when prehistoric animals and plants died and were buried under layers of sedimentary rocks. When the proper conditions, they gradually transformed into carbon-rich materials which, when burnt, generate energy. These fossil fuels won’t be renewable because they will be depleted in our lifetimes or over the course of many years.
Renewable energy sources are constantly replenished. The sun is the main source of renewable energy, as it provides both light and heat. We use it for our homes as well as for businesses and automobiles. Wind is renewable energy source that produces electricity by spinning turbines. Since the first people discovered how to harness wind, we have been using it for millennia. In the end, we employ biochemical processes to create an ethanol (a clear alcohol that can be used to fuel) from waste and crop residues.
Hydropower is by far the most important renewable energy source in the United States, but wind and biofuels will soon take over. Hydropower makes use of the natural water cycle to harness the water’s rapid flow, which produces electricity.