Different energy sources provide us with the power we require to live and work. These include solar, wind geothermal, biomass, and geothermal sources. In addition to being an important source of electricity, these sources can also be used to transport and heat. They can also emit greenhouse gases when they are burned to produce electricity. This creates the need for more sustainable energy sources.
The most common kind of energy is called fossil fuels, made up of coal oil, natural gas. They were formed millions of years ago when prehistoric plants and animals passed away and were then buried beneath layers of sedimentary rock. When the proper conditions, they gradually transformed into carbon-rich compounds that, when burned produce energy. The fossil fuels cannot be renewable, as they’ll become depleted by the time we reach our age or over the course of many years.
Renewable energy sources however are constantly replenished. The primary renewable energy source is sunlight, which gives heat and light. It is used to power our homes and businesses, as well as to drive our cars. Wind is another renewable energy source, which generates electricity through spinning turbines. We have been using it since the first discovered how to harvest the wind for millennia. In addition, we employ biological processes to create ethanol (a clear alcohol that can be used to fuel) from waste and crops.
Hydropower is the most important renewable energy source in the US, but biofuels and wind are likely to take over. Hydropower is a natural cycle to harness water’s swift flow, which in turn is used to generate electricity.