Different Energy Sources
Diverse energy sources provide us with the energy we require to live and work. Geothermal, solar, wind and biomass are among the sources. These sources aren’t only an important source of electricity, but can also be used to heat or transport. The main challenge with these energy sources is that they can cause greenhouse gas emissions if they are burned to generate electricity. This leads to the need for greener sources of energy.
The most commonly used kind of energy is called fossil fuels, which include coal, oil, and natural gas. They were formed millions of years ago when prehistoric animals and plants died and were buried under layers of sedimentary rock. When the conditions were right they were slowly transformed into carbon-rich materials that, when burnt generate energy. These fossil fuels will not be renewable since they will become depleted by the time we reach our age or in a variety of years.
Renewable energy sources are continuously replenished. The most important renewable energy source is sunlight, which gives light and heat. We use it to power our homes and businesses as well to drive our cars. Wind is a different renewable energy source, which generates electricity through spinning turbines. Since the first time people realized how to harness wind in the past, we have been using it for millennia. We use biological processes to create an ethanol (a alcohol-like substance that is clear and transparent that can be used to make fuel) from waste and crops.
Among these sources hydropower is the most significant renewable energy source in the United States, though wind and biofuels are likely to be the next to take over. Hydropower is based on nature’s water cycle to harness the power of fast-flowing water, which is then used for electricity generation.