Diverse energy sources provide us with the energy we need to live and work. Geothermal, solar, wind and biomass are some of the sources. These sources aren’t just a major source for electricity, but also can be used to heat and transport. The biggest issue with these energy sources is that they may cause greenhouse gas emissions when they are burned to produce electricity. This results in the need for more environmentally sustainable energy sources.
Fossil fuels are the most well-known type of energy. They include oil, coal, and natural gas. They were formed millions of years ago when prehistoric plants and animals died and were buried under layers of sedimentary rock. When the conditions were right, these fossil fuels were gradually transformed into carbon-rich substances that, when burned produce energy. These fossil fuels cannot be recycled because they will run out in our lifetimes or in many lifetimes.
Renewable energy sources, on the other hand are constantly replenished. The most important renewable energy source is sunlight, which provides warmth and light. We use it to power our homes and businesses, as well as to drive our cars. Wind is another renewable energy source that generates electricity through spinning turbines. We have been using it since the first discovered how to harvest the wind for millennia. We also use biological processes to produce the ethanol (a clear alcohol that can be used to create fuel) from waste and crops.
As a result hydropower is the biggest renewable energy source in the United States, though wind and biofuels are likely to become the dominant source in the near future. Hydropower is a natural cycle to harness water’s rapid flow, which can be used to produce electricity.