Reduction Activities And Clean Energy
alexander hamp
and developing nations to lessen carbon dioxide emission. Signatories
of the Kyoto Protocol lead the world to emission lessening acts, one
of which is implementing research and development on renewable energy.
Here are six types of renewable energy sources that are being
determined to power the globe in the nearest future.
1. Hydroelectric Power
Hydropower is the largest source of renewable energy. Its generating
capacity amounts to 77,000 megawatts. Water coming from rivers and
waterfalls are remitted through turbines to generate energy. Although
the technology is non-pollutant, it can possibly harm marine wildlife
as it may alter the amount of water. Other than that, hydropower is
also highly expensive and is likely to take a long time to install.
2. Biomass
The International Energy Agency reports that 11% of the global's
renewable energy is drawn from biomass. The technology produces 7,000
megawatts of renewable energy. Biomass is taken from industrial
processing of forestry and wood products, agriculture, construction
and solid waste. These biodegradable materials are turned into gas by
burning it in a gas turbine. In the United States, mill operations are
the basic source of biomass energy. It is the best alternative to coal
as it produces less sulfur dioxide.
3. Geothermal Energy
Amidst the six types of renewable energy sources, geothermal is one of
the most cost-effective and safe. In the United States alone, it
produces up to 2,800 megawatts of energy every year which is
approximately 2% of the total energy use in the country. Geothermal
energy is produced from naturally occurring steam under the Earth's
surface. Steam is extracted to power a turbine which in turn powers an
electric generator. The problem with geothermal energy is the
difficulty to find viable land sites. Nevertheless, the same
technology is employed on a smaller scale to power building heaters.
4. Wind Energy
Wind energy generates 2,500 megawatts of energy that contains 1% of
the total energy use in the United States. The wind revolves the blade
that is fastened to a main shaft where a generator is installed.
Energy capacity is determined by the size of turbine. Small wind
turbines are generally used to power households, farms and ranches in
the country. The downside to this technology is the uproar that it
produces and its relatively expensive installation cost.
5. Photovoltaic Cells
Photovoltaic cell is one among the six kinds of renewable energy
sources that does not require high support. It basically produces
electricity by utilizing microchip-like materials that absorbs
sunlight. This frees the electrons from their atoms and allows them to
generate electricity. PV cells are generally safe and produce less to
none pollution.
6. Solar Thermal Systems
Solar thermal systems, as the name implies, also gain energy from
sunlight. The system uses solar collectors to absorb solar radiation
that will then be used to heat water or air that will produce steam
used to operate a turbine. The turbine will then power a generator.
Federal and state government encourages citizens to install solar
energy at home or in the workplace by awarding income tax credits. The
same is being done for the other six types of renewable energy
sources.