Different energy sources provide us with the energy we need to live and work. Solar, wind, geothermal and biomass are among the sources. These sources are not just major sources of electricity, but also can be used to heat and transport. The main challenge with these energy sources is that they can create greenhouse gas emissions when used to generate electricity. This results in the need for more environmentally sustainable energy sources.
Fossil fuels are the most popular type of energy. They include oil, coal and natural gas. They began to form millions and millions of years ago when prehistoric animals and plants died and were buried under layers of sedimentary rock. Under the right conditions the fossil fuels gradually transformed into carbon-rich compounds which, when burned generate energy. These fossil fuels are non-renewable because they will run out in our lifetimes or even in many lifetimes.
Renewable energy go to these guys sources are constantly replenished. The sun is the most important source of renewable energy because it is a source of warmth and light. We use it to power our homes and businesses as well to drive vehicles. Wind is another renewable energy source, which produces electricity by spinning turbines. Since the first time people realized how to harness the wind we have been utilizing it for millennia. We also use biological processes to create an ethanol (a clear alcohol that can be used to create fuel) from waste and crop residues.
Hydropower is by far the most important renewable energy source in the United States, but biofuels and winds will soon surpass it. Hydropower draws on nature’s hydro cycle to harness the power of flowing water, which is used for electricity generation.
