TYPES OF RENEWABLE ENERGY

Hey, people of the world, I hope you are doing good. I know it has been a long time since I posted. The reason behind this was I was making changes to the website. I have been thinking about the Youtube Channel and adding a merch page. Would you guys buy merch? Please let me know in the comments below. Anyways, I thought that this post would be about types of renewable energy. Before I start explaining the types of renewable energy, I just wanted to tell you that nuclear energy is not renewable energy.

Geothermal Energy:

Geothermal energy is energy that is generated from the heat from the Earth. Only 0.2% of all energy used in the United States in 2020 was geothermal energy. Geothermal energy is used for electricity and heating. Electricity is produced using steam. There is a turbine that moves by steam, generating electricity. You might ask why geothermal energy is not used as much. The reasons behind it are the high cost, the locations, and the increased risk of earthquakes. You might ask how geothermal energy is renewable energy. It is renewable energy because the heat that produces the electricity is being generated continuously, which means continuous geothermal energy. The advantages of geothermal energy are that it is renewable, there is little maintenance required, and it is highly efficient and eco-friendly.

Biomass Energy:

Biomass energy is energy that is generated from animals and plants. Only 4.9% of all energy used in the United States in 2020 was biomass energy. Biomass energy is used for transportation, electricity, and heating. It was the primary source of energy since the emergence of fossil fuels. Biomass that is produced by plants is generated in the process of photosynthesis. The resources for biomass energy are wood, sewage, manure, waste, and crops. The methods to produce energy from biomass are thermochemical conversion, biological conversion, chemical conversion, and direct combustion. Direct combustion, the process of burning to generate heat, causes the biomass to be burnt for electricity and heating. This is the main method of generating energy from biomass. The disadvantages of biomass energy are that it can cause deforestation, has high costs, is not completely efficient, and requires a lot of space. The advantages of biomass energy are there are fewer carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere, and it is a renewable energy source, making it more reliable than fossil fuels.

Hydropower:

Hydropower energy is energy that is generated from water that is moving. Only 2.8% of all energy used in the United States in 2020 was hydropower. Hydropower is used for electricity. Hydropower was one of the first ways to produce electricity before fossil fuels. Some advantages of hydropower are it is a renewable energy source, it is clean energy because it is powered by water, and it has multiple benefits. Some disadvantages of hydropower are the environmental impacts, the high costs, it can contribute to droughts, and it can decrease water quality.

Wind Energy:

Wind energy is energy that is generated from wind. Only 3.2% of all energy used in the United States in 2020 was wind energy. Wind energy is used for electricity. Some wind energy is used for water for pastures and livestock. Some advantages are it is cost-effective, it increases economic growth, creates jobs for the economy, it is a renewable energy source, it can be built on ranches and farms, and it can be created in the United States. Some disadvantages of wind energy are it can impact the wildlife surrounding the wind farms, it might cause a lot of noise, it is produced far away from cities and towns, it has high costs, and it is a renewable energy source, making it more reliable than fossil fuels in the long run.

Solar Energy:

Solar energy is energy that is generated from the Sun. Only 1.3% of all energy used in the United States in 2020 was solar energy. Solar energy is used for electricity, water, and heating. Some advantages of solar energy are it does not release carbon emissions, it works everywhere, it has small effects on the environment, it is low maintenance, and it is a renewable energy source, making it more reliable than fossil fuels. Some disadvantages of solar energy are that the amount of solar energy varies because of the varying amount of sunlight, a lot of space is required, and storing solar energy is expensive.

These are the types of renewable energy that are way better alternatives than fossil fuels. In the next post, I have a surprise for you. After that post, the next couple of posts will be on renewable energy, but it is going to be further in-depth. Each post will be about one type of renewable energy. In the meantime, some solutions to combat climate change are:

• You can recycle plastic water bottles and bags that have the recycle sign on them.

• You can also help with clean clean-ups. There are plenty of clean-ups for beaches, roads, and many more.

• You can also educate people.

• You can use less plastic.

• You can walk or bike. When you walk or bike, you don't release carbon emissions. In worst cases, use public transportation because many people use it, and it doesn't release more carbon dioxide.

• You can plant plants.

• You can conserve water to have water left, like taking 5-minute showers. You can buy reusable stuff, so you don't need to use too much plastic. You can participate in peaceful protests.

• You can also talk to people who have more knowledge about climate change so that you can tell other people.

• You can put a bucket in the shower when you shower, so you can use that water for your plants or clean something up.

• You can buy local produce.

• You can build a garden and grow fresh produce.

• You can buy organic produce.

Try to make a difference.

-Robotics Girl

References:

“Advantages and Challenges of Wind Energy.” Energy.gov, www.energy.gov/eere/wind/advantages-and-challenges-wind-energy.

“Benefits of Hydropower.” Energy.gov, www.energy.gov/eere/water/benefits-hydropower.

“Benefits of Residential Solar Electricity.” Energy.gov, www.energy.gov/energysaver/benefits-residential-solar-electricity.

“U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis.” Sources of Energy - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), www.eia.gov/energyexplained/what-is-energy/sources-of-energy.php.

“U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis.” Solar Explained - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), www.eia.gov/energyexplained/solar/.

“U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis.” Geothermal Explained - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), www.eia.gov/energyexplained/geothermal/.

“U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis.” Wind Explained - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), www.eia.gov/energyexplained/wind/.

“U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis.” Biomass Explained - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), www.eia.gov/energyexplained/biomass/.

“U.S. Energy Information Administration - EIA - Independent Statistics and Analysis.” Hydropower Explained - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), www.eia.gov/energyexplained/hydropower/.

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