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, geothermal heat, and biomass. Renewable energy is often used for electricity generation, heating and cooling, and transportation.
Renewable energy is often deployed together with further electrification, which has several benefits: electricity can move heat or objects efficiently, and is clean at the point of consumption. While renewable energy is often thought of as a new technology, harnessing nature’s power has long been used for heating, transportation, lighting, and more.
The major types of renewable energy sources are:
- Biomass
- Hydropower
- Geothermal
- Wind
- Solar
Renewable energy can play an important role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing the reliability, security, and resilience of the nation’s power grid. The advantages of renewable energy are numerous and affect the economy, environment, national security, and human health.
