Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. These sources include sunlight, wind, the movement of water, and geothermal heat. Renewable energy is often used for electricity generation, heating and cooling, and transportation. The major types of renewable energy sources are:
- Biomass: Energy from organic matter, such as wood, crops, and waste.
- Hydropower: Energy from moving water, such as rivers and tides.
- Geothermal: Energy from heat generated deep within the Earth.
- Wind: Energy from the movement of air.
- Solar: Energy from the sun.
Renewable energy projects are typically large-scale, but they are also suited to rural and remote areas and developing countries, where energy is often crucial in human development. Renewable energy is derived from natural processes that are replenished constantly. Non-renewable energy, in contrast, comes from finite sources that could get used up, such as fossil fuels like coal and oil. The advantages of renewable energy are numerous and affect the economy, environment, national security, and human health. Some of the benefits of using renewable energy in the United States include enhanced reliability, security, and resilience of the nation’s power grid, job creation throughout renewable energy industries, reduced carbon emissions and air pollution from energy production, and increased U.S. energy independence.
