Renewable Energy Sources Examples and How To Use for Help
Renewable energy sources are those produced from naturally replenishing sources, such as wind, sun, and water. They can be used in various applications, including space heating, water heating, transportation, and electricity generation. In contrast, nonrenewable energy comes from finite sources, such as fossil fuels. The DOE is working to modernize our grid so that renewable energy can be used for power generation. Biomass, solar power, and compressed natural gas are all examples of renewable energy sources.
Biomass is a replenishable source of renewable energy
The term biomass describes any biological material that can be burned for fuel or used in other ways. Its uses are as diverse as food production, industrial production, and transportation fuels. Although most people know biomass in the context of corn ethanol, it has many other uses. In fact, in 2015, wood and waste biomass provided 26% of the U.S.'s renewable energy consumption and generated 1.6% of all electricity produced.
Although this type of fuel has not been fully developed, it offers many benefits. The primary benefit is that it can help reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, a key greenhouse gas. The burning of biomass releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, but it can be offset by regrowing vegetation. In contrast, clearing forests for energy purposes can take decades or even a century, making it difficult to offset the carbon released in the process.
In addition to its renewable energy status, biomass is also a good source of fuel. Its versatility allows it to be used for electricity generation and heat production, which can be valuable to households. Biomass fuels are often used in wood-fuelled heating systems. Biomass has many uses, and could potentially contribute to the UK's ambitious emissions reduction goals. It is the only source of renewable liquid fuel that is widely available in the United States.
Wind power
Germany's Renewable Energy Sources Act (RESA) gives renewables priority for grid access and power dispatch. The act is regularly amended to keep pace with technological developments and market trends. Germany's initial tariff for wind energy, which is set for 20 years, reduces to a basic tariff of between six and eight cents per kWh once the capacity has been used up. This figure is lower for offshore wind power, however, due to the cost of backup capacity. Germany accounts for 7.5% of its electricity supply, but the increase in delivered prices is minimal.
Wind turbines' power output is proportional to wind speed, and doubling the wind speed by one-third gives eight times the energy potential. The maximum wind speed that wind turbines can generate is four to 25 meters per second, and beyond that, excess energy spills into the air. While the maximum allowed wind speed in a given area is 25 m/s, relatively few regions have prevailing winds above this limit. In addition, wind turbines are typically placed on taller pylons, which increase their capacity factors.
In the United States, subsidies have reduced the cost of wind energy. Under the Danish ‘Green Certificate' scheme, the government subsidizes wind power. The subsidy has been extended to 19 cents/MWh by 2020, but is not entirely renewable. In Norway, subsidies include production incentives, which pay utilities a set rate per kWh, and feed-in tariffs that force utilities to purchase renewable energy certificates.
The largest issue with intermittent renewable integration is grid interconnection. Since solar and wind farms are often located in areas with high average wind speeds and solar radiation, they are often far from the demand for electricity. In addition, wind-generated power requires a significant amount of backup. The Global Wind Energy Council predicts that wind will supply between 10.8 and fifteen percent of the world's electricity by 2030. So, while the economic benefits are apparent, the drawbacks are significant.
Solar power
As the world looks to the future for energy supply, many people are turning to renewable energy sources, including wind and solar power. These sources have various advantages and challenges. They are becoming more common in many parts of the world, and they will continue to grow in importance. Listed below are a few of the ways that renewable energy sources are being used. Read on to learn more about solar power as an example of a renewable energy source.
Concentrated solar power is a form of renewable energy that uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight, which heats a fluid. This heated fluid drives a turbine, generating electricity. Large-scale solar power plants use this method, which uses a thin tower and a field of mirrors to generate electricity. Some even use molten salts to store heat and produce electricity after the sunsets. These renewable energy sources are now ready to make a major contribution to the world's electricity supply.
Solar energy can be used for lighting, heating, and cooling your home. Every year, more energy falls on the earth than all humans on earth use over a single year. Commercial buildings can use solar energy for more industrial needs by using mirrored dishes to concentrate heat from the sun. In fact, many commercial buildings utilize solar energy by building thoughtfully and passively taking advantage of solar heat. They can also use solar water heating systems for space heating.
The advantage of solar energy is its ability to provide free heated water. Solar thermal systems are a low-maintenance way to produce electricity. They can also help protect the grid. In addition to saving money on utility bills, solar power can also contribute to a more sustainable future. If you're able to find a suitable location for a solar power system, solar energy may also make good use of underutilized land.
Compressed natural gas
If you are looking for alternative fuel, consider CNG or liquefied natural gas. These are both domestically produced, relatively inexpensive, and widely available. According to the Energy Policy Act of 1992, both CNG and LNG are considered alternative fuels. CNG is produced by compressing natural gas to less than 1% of its original volume at standard atmospheric pressure. LNG is produced by storing compressed natural gas at pressures up to 3,600 psi in a cylinder.
Compressed natural gas is a natural gas that is highly compressed to increase its energy density. It is composed mostly of methane. It occupies a tiny volume at standard atmospheric pressure, and is stored in hard containers under twenty-five to thirty-five MPa. It is a clean fuel, and is used for electricity generation, cooking, and fertilizers. Compared to other forms of gas, CNG is much cheaper to produce and stores, and can be used for a variety of applications.
CNG is clean-burning and has a low carbon content. This means that it produces very little soot or nitrogen oxide, which helps improve local air quality. Using natural gas also produces lower levels of CO2 than other fossil fuels, thereby displacing conventional fuels and reducing emissions. These are just a few of the benefits of compressed natural gas as a renewable energy source.
Natural gas is made up of four types of natural gases. The first four alkanes are propane and methane. Both of these gas fuels are used to power passenger cars and city buses, as well as heavy-duty trucks. Natural gas is also used in power plants for electricity production. In many ways, compressed natural gas is a clean alternative fuel. It is clean and odorless. However, only two percent of transportation fuel is made from natural gas.
Liquefied natural gas is still primarily methane, but has been transformed into a liquid form. Before it can be distributed, it must be processed into CNG. Depending on the location, liquefied natural gas can be dangerous to handle. Some people have reported a rash while handling LNG. So, how is compressed natural gas a clean renewable energy source? Here are some examples.
Sources:
https://www2.ucar.edu/sites/default/files/atoms/files/about-solar-energy_0.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compressed_natural_gas
https://www.epa.gov/alternative-fuels-data-center/liquefied-natural-gas-lng
https://www.theedgesusu.co.uk/2020/06/14/compressed-natural-gas-cleaner-alternative/
https://energypedia.info/wiki/Clean_Renewable_Energy_Sources_and_Their_Uses.