There are several different types of renewable energy and resources. These include hydroelectricity, bioenergy, geothermal energy, and wind energy. Each has advantages and disadvantages. You can read about them in this article. Ultimately, you can decide which type of renewable energy and resource is best for your needs.
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is a renewable energy source that harnesses the power of flowing water. The first dams were constructed in North America and Europe, but by the 1970s, the cost of building such dams was prohibitive. In addition, environmental and social concerns made the construction of large dams unpopular. Consequently, the hydropower industry moved to developing countries. During the 1970s, dam-building started in areas such as the Mekong River Basin and the Amazon River basin.
Water turbines channel flowing water through a dam to produce electricity. The pressure of the water on the turbine blades causes the turbine shaft to rotate. The shaft in turn drives an electrical generator, which converts the motion into electricity. The turbines can be built to produce electricity or generate heat, and the electricity generated is fed into the electrical grid.
Hydropower is one of the most reliable sources of renewable energy. The energy generated by water flowing through dams can be stored in reservoirs and delivered to customers when they need it. This process also reduces the need for fossil fuels. Furthermore, hydropower is cost-competitive, as it is a proven and mature technology with low operating and maintenance costs.
Wind energy
Wind energy has been used for centuries by humans. Compared to fossil fuels, wind turbines produce no greenhouse gases and are a clean source of power. In addition, wind turbines can be built on existing farms and ranches, which helps rural economies. The wind energy plant owners pay landowners for the land they use, which helps maintain the economic health of the land. Wind power projects can be incredibly profitable, especially when compared to other sources of electricity.
Wind energy is clean and abundant. The United States alone has over 122.5 GW of wind power capacity. In fact, Texas alone accounts for nearly half of the total installed capacity in the country. As of 2019, wind power is the leading renewable energy source in the U.S., surpassing hydropower. And recent government mandates almost guarantee continued growth.
Wind turbines are large, visible machines that affect the landscape. Some turbines have been known to kill birds, but most incidents have been resolved by better technology and proper siting. In addition, some wind turbines kill bats, but more research is needed to better understand the effects of wind turbines on these creatures.
Bioenergy
Bioenergy is a renewable energy resource that can be produced from a wide range of biological materials. It can be used to heat water, power appliances, and produce electricity or fuel for transportation. There are many different pathways for bioenergy production, some of which are already commercially available and technically proven. Others are still in the experimental stage. Regardless of the pathway used, the overall goal is to increase the production of bioenergy in a sustainable way.
There are many challenges to sustainable bioenergy production, however. For instance, land competition between bioenergy and food crops is widely debated. The bioenergy industry also faces a conflict between sustainable agriculture and biomass production. Most sustainability standards for bioenergy concentrate on economic, environmental, and social aspects, but tend to overlook the agronomic benefits of biomass. The sustainability potential of bioenergy may only be fully realized through biogas production, however.
Biomass is a renewable energy source, and many of the traditional food crops can be converted into bioenergy. The most common biomass crops include corn, canola, and sugar cane. These crops can be grown on marginal farmland, and they produce significant amounts of energy.
Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is a renewable resource that can be harnessed by the United States for use in a variety of energy needs. Federal lands hold significant potential for geothermal energy development. As of 2018, nearly half of all geothermal electricity capacity was generated on public lands under the BLM's jurisdiction. Using these resources for energy production has the potential to strengthen U.S. energy security, generate jobs, and help build a robust energy infrastructure.
Geothermal energy is generated from heat that has been retained in Earth's crust since the planet's formation. This heat can be harnessed to power turbines and power stations. It can also be used as a source of heating and cooling. This resource is a great option for areas experiencing cold climates.
Geothermal energy technologies can be broadly classified into two broad categories: direct geothermal uses (geothermal heat pumps and district heating) and indirect geothermal uses (thermal energy reservoirs). Direct geothermal uses are the most common and include geothermal heat pumps and greenhouses. Direct geothermal uses such as electricity generation from hydrothermal reservoirs are also mature, with many power plants operating today using temperatures of more than 180degC. Combination heat and power (CHP) technologies make use of geothermal fluid to heat process fluids in closed loops.