With people looking for more and more ways to find renewable energy sources, many don’t realize they are standing on top of one of the greatest energy resources on the planet. The Earth’s core is at an unbearable temperature, hotter than anyone could possibly even fathom. This heat builds up so much pressure in the Earth’s core that it has to be released in some way. These releases are known as geothermal energy. The hot water and steam from the Earth can be used in a number of ways to create energy. This is a renewable energy because the heat in the Earth’s core is constant and the water replenishes from rainfall.

There are different ways to use geothermal energy that include direct and indirect uses.

- The heat from the Earth could be used as a direct source for heating systems. The hot water close to the Earth’s system is directly pumped into heating systems.

- Generators in power plants require steam at very high temperatures to work. Geothermal power plants are built near reservoirs to tap the natural resource. The power plants use steam or water close to the surface to operate its generator.

- Geothermal heat pumps use water near the Earth’s surface to control building temperatures. This renewable energy source can regulate entire towns and villages.

Using geothermal energy isn’t a new concept. History has shown that people in ancient times have used hot springs for cooking, bathing and heating purposes. Even today many believe that natural hot springs have healing powers. There are many people who still bathe in hot springs. In Reykjavik, Iceland 95 percent of the buildings are heated with geothermal district heating systems. Hot water near the Earth’s surface is pumped directly into the buildings.

The Unites States is one of the leaders in geothermal power. The country has more geothermal power plants than any other, however, it only accounts for one percent of the electricity produced in the U.S. California (33), Nevada (15), Hawaii (1) and Utah (1) are the only states with geothermal power plants.

There are opponents of geothermal energy. While there are uses for it, criticisms have been raised. Some believe this is not a long term solution nor could it be used in huge environments. There are others who think creating geothermal power plants would cost too much money and drain money from researching other valuable energy resources. People are also concerned that if magma is tapped, it could bring up dangerous and harmful particles.

One thing is certain, more research is needed to make an educated conclusion about geothermal energy. There is too much guessing going on and not enough doing. There are results of natural geothermal reactions. These happen everywhere and come in the form of volcanoes, hot springs and geysers. With geothermal reactions occurring naturally, humans should find a safe way to tap into it.

Abhishek Agarwal

As traditional energy resources (read: fossil-based fuels) are being depleted, more and more countries are turning to renewable energy. As the definition implies, renewable energy sources are not depletable. Instead, they can be replenished as they are being used. This makes renewable energy a very appealing alternative to our overdependence on other natural resources such as fossil fuels, which are not only pollutants but are not replenishable. Renewable energy comes in many different forms. Below is a review of the most popular forms that are receiving attention in the emerging green marketplace.

Solar power is perhaps the most well-known renewable resource. In fact, its popularity is growing with consumers who are beginning to install solar panels to help power their homes with natural sunlight. Solar power works on collecting sunlight, which is converted into energy and becomes a power source for machines and equipment. Solar panels are currently being tested on vehicles to generate power without using fuel.

Biomass energy is created from organic material obtained from plant and animal matter and their byproducts. It is a renewable energy source based on the carbon cycle, unlike other natural resources (e.g., coal and petroleum) that are based on fossil fuels, which emit carbon dioxide (a pollutant). There are many different sources of biomass energy, including wood, crops, manure and certain types of garbage. From these sources, methane gas and ethanol are created to make alternative sources of fuel. This may be a boon to car manufactures in their efforts to create cars that are more environmentally sound and energy-efficient. Namely, cars that can run on ethanol and biodiesel instead of gasoline.

Hydropower uses water to create energy. Some regions of the country (like the Northwest) use hydropower energy plants to power entire communities. However, there are problems associated with hydropower plants that strict environmentalists are quick to point out. They argue that hydropower plants threaten to disturb and/or adversely affect natural habitats that involve water. Instead of allowing water to flow freely, water is being redirected and controlled in a way that alters the natural order of ecosystems.

Geothermal energy uses heat from the earth stored below its surface. Volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers are natural sources of geothermal energy. With this source geothermal power plants are built near geothermal resources, usually located within one or two miles of the site.

Wind power is another commonly used renewable resource, which converts wind into electricity. Remember the good old windmills seen in the Dutch countryside? Yesterdays windmills have turned into modern wind turbines. Many countries throughout the world, including the United States, are taking advantage of this source of energy for an obvious reason: It is readily available, particularly in areas now described as wind corridors, such as Texas and parts of the Midwest.

While renewable energy has many benefits as it relates to the environment, it does have some drawbacks that are worth noting. One of the main problems is that it is difficult to generate the same amount of energy that can be generated from traditional sources (fossil fuels). Also, some of the methods described above cannot be used everywhere because many renewable resources cannot be transported, and even those that can come with a high transportation price tag. This means that a specific method has to physically be constructed around a specific renewable resource. This can compound problems for the construction of power plants. Expensive transmission infrastructure and permitting processes would also be required to get power from the area generated to consumer locations.

Scientists are currently working on ways to get the most out of using renewable resources and are creating better and more methods to make renewable resources more widespread and easier to use. In the end, if renewable energy resources are to replace traditional sources of energy, they will have to seen as having all of the benefits of traditional methods. Although recent developments have shown that scientists are well on their way to making renewable energy more readily available, we are not quite there.

Current congressional leadership favors a greener world by way of issuing carbon taxes and stricter regulations, many of which are untested and fraught with political pork issues. This situation will definitely create winners and losers, which points to the urgency for businesses and consumers alike to begin planning for the inevitability of a greener world, with all of its associated pros and cons and unintended consequences.

Gary W Patterson

What is the definition of renewable energy? Renewable energy is energy generated from non depleting natural resources such as wind, sunlight, tides, rain and even geothermal heat. They can be used to power our homes, industries and even our vehicles.

BIOMASS

The main source of renewable energy, on a global scale, is the application of biomass. Biomass is described as using biological material in the production of fuel. Common biomass sources include wood, corn, sugarcane, switch grass and even algae. Biomass makes up approximately 13% to 15% of all energy consumed in the world.

Biomass also includes bio fuel. This is the use of biomass materials such as corn, sugarcane and a host of other sources, to make fuels that power the worlds’ vehicles.

There is great promise in expanding the use of biomass to help reduce carbon emissions, to reduce energy prices and reduce the effect of global warming on the environment.

HYDROPOWER

Hydroelectricity (or hydropower) follows biomass as the next leading renewable energy source. It is estimated that hydropower provides between 3% and 5% of all energy consumed around the globe.

Hydropower produces energy using gravitys’ force on falling water. The energy is harnessed using dams to drive turbines and generators.

The biggest hydroelectric dam is currently being constructed in China on the Yangtze River. This effort has caused the relocation of millions of people and the flooding of important archaeological sites. There is much debate about its impact on the wildlife and fisheries that currently exist.

SOLAR, WIND & GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SOURCES

Solar, wind and geothermal energy make up between .08% and 1.0% of all energies used globally. These eco-friendly sources of energy have the potential to significantly reduce the use of fossil-fuels as the main source of energy in the world.

SOLAR POWER

Solar power is likely to be the most valuable of the renewable energy sources available. Why? Because it is available in abundance and is the least expensive for conversion. As new buildings and homes are constructed, solar technology can easily be accommodated in its design and implementation. In some countries, incorporating solar technology into new or existing homes and businesses also comes with monetary incentives such as tax credits, grants and even loans.

The solar energy process involves placing collecting cells and panels in “sun-rich” locations to harness the sun rays. It is then converted to electricity via photovoltaic processing.

WIND POWER

The use of wind power to generate electricity is growing at a rate of about 30% annually. It is widely used in Europe, and there is a big push in the United States, led by energy tycoon T. Boone Pickens. His idea is to harness this energy using wind farms off the eastern and western coastlines of the United States, gradually reducing our dependence on petroleum products.

GEOTHERMAL POWER

The use of geothermal energies is a main source of fuel in countries like Iceland and Norway. Unfortunately, not all geographic locations will be able to use this type of technology.

CONCLUSION

The use of renewable energy sources is the most environmentally sound method to help reduce overall energy costs and the world’s dependence on fossil-fuels. The use of renewable energies will also help provide a healthy environment for future generations.

Atul B Tanna

Renewable energy?

by: amanda3271989What are the best sources for someone to learn more about renewable energy? What renewable energy source do you think is ideal? What articles/books/podcasts/etc do you recommend on the subject? What do you think America’s plan should be in creating a more sustainable world?

Catherine

What is the most renewable energy source?

by: cherrish cIm doing this project on energy sources and I need to know what is the most work done on the most renewable energy sources.

Vchan

Does rain water harvesting count as a renewable energy source?

by: Hannah MObviously rainwater is renewable, but would harvesting it actually be counted as a renewable energy source?

Rahman

Survey: What is your personal oppinion of the most promising renewable energy source?

by: FievelWhat is your personal oppinion of the most promising renewable energy technology? Whether solar, hydro, hyrdrogen, geothermal, ect. or even a combination of technologies?

Teteh