Diverse energy sources provide us with the energy we require to live and work. These include wind, solar geothermal, biomass, as well as geothermal sources. These sources are not just an important source of electricity, but also can be used to heat or transport. The main issue with these energy sources is that they can create greenhouse gas emissions when burned to produce electricity. This results in the need for more sustainable energy sources.
Fossil fuels are the most widely used type of energy. They include oil, coal, and natural gas. They were formed millions of year ago when prehistoric animals and plants died and were buried under layers of sedimentary rocks. If the conditions were right the fossil fuels slowly transformed into carbon-rich materials which, when burned create energy. They are not renewable since they will exhaust within our lifetimes or in many lives.
Renewable energy sources however are constantly replenished. The sun is the primary source of renewable energy since it provides warmth and light. We use it for our homes, businesses, and cars. Wind is another renewable energy source that produces electricity by spinning turbines. We have been using it since people first discovered how to harvest the wind for millennia. We utilize biological processes to create the ethanol (a alcohol-like substance that is clear and transparent that can be used for fuel) from food waste and crops.
Of all these sources hydropower is by far the most important renewable energy source in the United States, though wind and biofuels are expected be the next to take over. Hydropower makes use of the natural water cycle to harness water’s rapid flow, which produces electricity.