what is a renewable energy source

Renewable energy refers to energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. These sources are virtually inexhaustible in duration but limited in the amount of energy available per unit of time. Some examples of renewable energy sources include sunlight, wind, the movement of water, geothermal heat, biomass, and biofuels. Renewable energy is used for electricity generation, heating and cooling, and transportation. It stands in contrast to fossil fuels, which are being used far more quickly than they are being replenished. Renewable energy has numerous benefits, including enhanced reliability, security, and resilience of the power grid, job creation, reduced carbon emissions and air pollution, and increased energy independence. In the United States, renewable energy generates about 20% of all electricity, with solar and wind energy expected to add more than 60% of the utility-scale generating capacity to the U.S. power grid in 2022.