Little-Know Green Energy Sources

Green Energy isn’t Just Solar Panels, but They are the Best Known

Even with so many people making the switch from relying solely on the electric grid to a mixture of green power and power from the grid, it is unlikely that going from relying solely on the electric grid to relying solely on solar panels is a good move. Fortunately, there are actually quite a few other sources of clean, renewable energy, as well as some changes that you can make in your daily life that can help make the planet healthier, and reduce our overall energy consumption.

Solar Panels

First, let’s cover the best-known type of clean, renewable energy, solar panels. Solar panels have actually been around and in use since the 1950s. This is a fact that most people do not know, but even fewer people know that the first solar panels, created by scientists, are still functioning well, and out-performing their life expectations. Enough sunlight hits the surface of the earth to power the entire planet for years at a time, and we will soon create solar panels that will be able to more fully-utilize that power.

Hydroelectric Power

As much as it sounds, hydroelectric power is generated by the natural motion of water. The body of water being used to generate power has to be large enough to power a generator. Hydroelectric power plants are typically dams. Some of these hydroelectric power plants have the ability to power hundreds of thousands of homes.

Geothermal Power

Geothermal power, like hydroelectric power, has been used throughout human history for heat energy. Hot springs and volcanic rock have been used for millennia to keep homes warm and comfortable during cold months. Geothermal power is the only clean energy source that is harvested below the surface of the earth: steam created from water introduced to areas below the surface of the earth is used to rotate a turbine, and that turbine powers a generator that heats and powers homes and businesses. Like hydroelectric power, the generator is the central piece of the puzzle.

Wind Power

Wind power is generated in windy, typically hilly areas. A single wind turbine can produce enough power to fuel thousands of homes, but many people live too far away from wind turbines or wind farms to reap the benefits. Wind turbines look like giant pinwheels, and like hydroelectric and geothermal energy, feed generators that then power homes and businesses. A couple of places in the world have wind farms, where clusters of wind turbines are situated over a property over a few square miles. Some wind farms are located on land, but a few wind farms are located off of coasts, in small bodies of water.

Bioenergy

Bioenergy is energy produced by living organisms. Burning wood for cooking and warmth is one example of using bioenergy. Though burning wood seems a dated way of using energy, burning grasses and wood together can serve several purposes. Trees and grasses that are quickly replenished can be converted to fuels for personal and commercial vehicles. This fuel generated from plants can also be used to create clean, renewable electricity. To find out what kind of renewable energy is available in your area, call your energy provider, and ask about your renewable energy options.