There are two types of sources of energy in the world: renewable energy sources and non-renewable energy sources. Renewable energy sources include solar energy, biomass energy, wind energy, tidal energy, hydro energy, and geothermal energy. Non-renewable energy sources include oil, coal, natural gas, and nuclear energy.

Renewable energy sources are generated directly from nature, like the sun, rain, wind, tides, and it is possible to generate it over and over whenever it is needed. Renewable energy sources are abundant and are definitely the cleanest energy sources in Earth. For instance, it is possible to utilize the energy we get from the sun in order to generate electricity. Geothermal, wind, tides,and biomass energy from plants can also be used in different forms.

Most energy that is used in the world today is generated from non-renewable energy sources. These energy sources can be re-generated over a short period of time. Natural gas and oil are derived from anicent plant or animal remains or fossils. These remains are what we have been left with after millions of years of fluctuation in pressure and temperature.

There are pros and cons to using both renewable energy sources and non-renewable energy sources. First let’s look at renewable energy. The obvious advantages of it is that wind, sun, ocean, and geothermal energy is in abundance and completely free of charge. Secondly, renewable energy sources have very low or zero carbon emissions, so they are environmentally friendly. Thridly, it isn’t necessary to rely on any country to supply renewable energy sources, unlike its non-renewable counterparts.

However, things are not all so rosy with renewable energy sources. First of all, it is quite difficult set-up to get any of these sources to generate energy, and the starting costs can be astronomical. As in the case of solar energy, it can only be generated during the day, which completely excludes night-time and the rainy season. And to utilize wind energy, you have to depend on strong winds, so choosing the right place for the set-up can be challenging.

The obvious advantage of non-renewable energy sources is that they are ready, cheap, and easy to use. It is also cheap to convert one non-renewable energy type to another. However, a major disadvantage of non-renewable energy sources is that they are finite and will expire some time in the future. This will make the prices of these energy sources increase dramatically. They also cause severe environmental changes and are in a large way responsible for climate change and global warming. Non-renewable energy sources can have a serious impact on human health, as they are certainly not environmentally friendly.

For the original article and further information on renewables and non-renewables, click here

For more information, go to:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy,
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-renewable_resource

• Many renewable energy sources show promise, and may be part of the answer to energy in the future
• Fossil fuel use and dependence must be stopped to prevent even more damage to the environment
• Wind, geothermal power, the sun, waves, tides, and others can provide power that is clean and renewable

There are many renewable energy sources that can be utilized to replace fossil fuel use, and some of these are very promising. Using clean renewable sources instead of relying on fossil fuels will ensure environmental damage and pollution are minimized or eliminated.

1. Wind

Wind power is one of the most promising when it comes to renewable energy sources. The wind has incredible potential, but there are some drawbacks as well. Wind power turbines must be situated in areas where there are high averages of substantial amounts of wind. These turbines will not be effective or efficient unless there is a steady wind to turn the blades, and this means that they would not work well in locations that do not have windy conditions most of the time.

2. Geothermal Power

Geothermal power may be one solution to fossil fuel use. There is a great deal of heat underneath the crust of the earth, and electricity can be created using this heat. This is a very clean process, and usually involves heating water into steam, which can be used for heat and generating electricity. This process has no negative environmental effects, and the heat source in the earth is constantly regenerating so the supply will never run out.

3. Municipal Waste To Energy Programs

Municipal waste to energy programs can be promising renewable energy sources. These programs take municipal waste, basically household garbage, and this waste is turned into a source of power, which is then sent back to homes and businesses as heat and electricity. With the number of landfills which are closed and at capacity, coupled with the fact that municipal waste will be continuously created, these programs can provide the resources needed while cleaning up the earth at the same time.

4. Tidal Power

Tidal power is energy which is harnessed by using the tides and their movements. The ocean tides have a significant power, and when this is harnessed it can be one of the clean renewable energy sources which does not pollute the earth, contribute to global warming, or use fossil fuels. The tides are a powerful force in the ocean, and if harnessed they can provide large amounts of clean power that does not pollute the earth or air.

5. Solar Power

The sun can be one of the most powerful renewable energy sources possible. Capturing and using just the sunlight which hits the earth in one day could provide enough energy for the entire world all year. There is no environmental damage or pollution involved, and an enormous amount of power can be generated using solar panels. These panels can be installed on almost any structure, and can greatly reduce the dependence on fossil fuels which harm the world.

6. Biomass

Biomass is considered a promising alternative energy source. Biomass includes all organic materials, such as plant and animal materials. This material can be used in a number of ways to generate needed power. Biomass can be burned, it can be placed in special containers to speed up the decaying process, so that the gases released can be captured and used, or biomass can be used in other ways. Biofuels can be made from biomass and used in vehicles in place of fossil fuels.

7. Wave Power

Waves can be one of the most promising alternative renewable energy sources that have been discovered. The waves on the ocean are always moving, and when severe weather hits there can be incredible amounts of power in these waves. This technology does have a few drawbacks, and the equipment used with this method must stand up to tremendous and extreme conditions to be effective.