Energy

What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy means energy that is sustainable - something that can't run out, or is endless, like the sun.
Renewable energy provides substantial benefits for our climate, our health, and our economy.​

When you hear the term "alternative energy" it is usually referring to renewable energy sources too. It means sources of energy that are alternative to the most commonly used non-sustainable sources - like coal.

As world population rises, so does the demand for energy in order to power our homes, businesses and communities.

Innovation and expansion of renewable sources of energy is key to maintaining a sustainable level of energy and protect our planet from climate change.

Renewable Energy Sources

Enviromental impacts of renewable energy technologies

1

Wind power

Harnessing power from the wind is one of the cleanest and most sustainable ways to generate electricity as it produces no toxic polution or global warming emissions. Wind is also plentiful, inexhaustible and affordable, making it a viable alternative to fossil fuels.

2

Solar power

Humans have been harnessing solar energy for thousands of years—to grow crops, stay warm, and dry foods. Today, we use the sun’s rays in many ways—to heat homes and businesses, to warm water, or power devices. The environmental impacts associated with solar power depend on the scale of the system and technology used, photovoltaic (PV) solar cells or concentrating solar thermal plants (CSP).

3

Geothermal Energy

The most widely developed type of geothermal power plant are hydrothermal plants which are using technology to convert resource to electricity, either by direct steam and hot water or by using water-cooled and air-cooled technology. Environmental impacts differ depending on the conversion and cooling technology used.

4

Biomass for electricity

Although biomass power plants share some similarities with fossil fuel power plants, biomass plants can be sustainable produced, while fossil fuels are non-renewable. Biomass is an organic material and when is burned, the chemical energy is released as heat and generate electricity through a steam turbine.

5

Hydroelectric power

Hydropower relies on fast-moving water in a large river or rapidly descending water from a high point and converts the force of the water into electricity by spinning large turbines.

6

Hydrokinetic energy

Hydrokinetic energy includes wave and tidal power and although tidal flow unlike some other hydro energy sources isn’t constant, it is highly predictable and can therefore compensate for the periods when the tide current is low.

Renewable energy provides substantial benefits for our climate, our health, and our economy.

The intensity and the exact type of environmental impacts varies depending on the specific technology used, the geographic location, and by a number of other factors.