RENEWABLE ENERGY Renewable energy, often referred to as clea | Upsc Environment

RENEWABLE ENERGY


Renewable energy, often referred to as clean energy, comes from natural sources or processes that are constantly replenished. For example, sunlight or wind keep shining and blowing, even if their availability depends on time and weather.

Types of Renewable Energy Sources

The most common renewable power technologies include:

Wind

This takes advantage of wind motion to generate electricity. Wind motion is brought about by the heat from the sun, and rotation of the earth, mainly via the Coriolis Effect.

 Solar

It taps heat from the sun to produce energy for the generation of electricity, heating, lighting homes and commercial buildings.

Hydropower

Utilizes moving water to produce electricity. Moving water creates high energy that can be harnessed and turned into power.

Biomass

Organic matter that constitutes plants is referred to as biomass, which can be utilized to generate electricity, chemicals or fuels to power vehicles.

Ocean

Takes advantage of rising and falling of tides to generate electricity

Geothermal

Leverages heat from underneath the earth to generate electricity.