Types of Renewable Energy and Their Advantages

Renewable energy is basically the energy collected from natural resources..

Types of Renewable Energy and Their Advantages

Renewable energy is basically the energy collected from natural resources and replenish naturally on human timescale. It is available in different types such as wind, rain, sunlight, waves, tides and geothermal heat. These resources provide energy in four general areas like water and air cooling and heating, electricity generation, rural or off-grid energy services and transportation.

wind-mills

One man advantage of using renewable energy is the fact that is renewable or has its ability of replenishing naturally. This means that it is sustainable and will never run out.

The following are the types of renewable energy and advantages of using each:

Biomass

Biomass is the widely used type of renewable energy that refers to using organic materials and then converting these materials to other energy forms. This includes burning wood, fossil fuels and a lot more.

Advantages of using this type of renewable energy are:

  • This type is considered cheapest and is readily available.
  • When used as a major replacement for current sources of energy, it can be used for a long period of time since it is sustainable.

Wind

Another type of renewable energy is wind energy and is obviously derived from its name. It has been used for several centuries back for pushing sails, generating pressure for pumping waters and powering windmills.

Advantages of this renewable energy type are:

  • It can be found in a singular motion, but many are usually gathered in wind farms.
  • Has the potential of being an infinite supply of energy, which meets the long term requirement for producing energy.

Solar

Photovoltaic or solar power is among the fastest growing and popular alternative sources of energy. In the process for producing solar energy, this requires the use of solar cells that are made from crystalline silicon that absorbs the photons then convert it to electrons. A form of solar power is solar-thermal power that relies mainly on the use of lenses or mirrors for concentrating large area of light rays from the sun to a small area.

Some of the main advantages of this type of renewable energy are as follows:

  • It is seen as an infinite source of energy supply.
  • Single dwellings get their own supply of electricity.
  • Prices are now more competitive than how it was before it became popular in the market.
  • Owning a few solar panels can already make some appliances in your home function.

Geothermal

Geothermal energy is heat derived from earth and are usually derived from magma conduits, hydrothermal circulation, or hot springs. Though, considered cheap and sustainable, geothermal activity is only noted in a few locations across the globe.

Some of its advantages are:

  • It has the potential of being an infinite source for energy in particular locations.
  • This type of renewable energy is already being used in a lot of countries including those in Asia and other parts of the world such as Iceland and New Zealand.

Tidal

Almost similar to wind, tidal power derives its energy from tidemills. These are considered as predictable and steady, which makes it a great continuous source of energy.

A few advantages that comes with this type of renewable energy are:

  • It is a great option for island countries like the UK.
  • It is seen to have the potential of generating a lot of energy that is enough to run continuously and sustain the needs of an entire island.
  • The tidal barrage can be used as be used as a bridge that can benefit an island especially for the prevention of flooding.

All of these types of renewable energy can potentially help every country especially when it comes to a location with sufficient source of energy. Countries that can produce geothermal activity can start investing in renewable energy for powering the entire country and producing as much power as possible.

All that it takes is further research on what type of source can be found in a particular location to get the process of producing the energy started. Considering the use of renewable energy can help bring back the natural cycle of the environment and prevent the worsening effect of climate change on the planet.