● SOLAR ENERGY – Solar energy is derived from an abundant resource that we see
nearly every day and often take for granted: The sun. In fact, the earth gets far more
energy from the sun in a single day than the entire planet uses from other sources.
Solar energy can be collected in a variety of ways, the most common being
photovoltaic (PV) cells, and there are even solar thermal power plants.
- Benefits: Solar energy doesn’t create pollution or greenhouse gases and can
be used on a small scale (a solar cell to charge your phone) or a larger scale
(solar panels on a rooftop to power an entire house or town).
● WIND ENERGY – If you’ve ever seen a windmill, you’ve seen wind energy in action; in
fact, it’s one of the oldest forms of energy humans have used. Modern versions are
called wind turbines, which use propellers to harvest the wind energy. It’s a
relatively inexpensive energy source, but requires careful planning and use of the
right location with enough wind to regularly generate power.
- Benefits: Wind energy does not create any harmful emissions and has far
fewer impacts on the environment than other forms of energy.
● BIOMASS ENERGY – This type of energy might already sound kind of gross, and
sometimes it is. Basically anything that comes from plants or animals, including
waste, can be used as biomass energy. Examples include: Animal manure, sewage,
agricultural crops, food and yard waste, and wood. Biomass energy is generally
obtained by burning this type of waste, where it can be converted into methane gas
or fuels like ethanol for vehicles. Landfills, sewage treatment plants, and livestock
farms can also either use or collect and resell bio gases like methane, which would
otherwise end up in the earth’s atmosphere.
- Benefits: Many biofuels are considered “carbon neutral” because the plant
matter that is converted into biofuel helps keep carbon dioxide levels down
while it is growing. Ethanol is considered a cleaner burning fuel for
automobiles.
● GEOTHERMAL ENERGY – This type of energy comes from steam naturally made
within the earth, and is often used to generate electricity or to heat a building. There
are geothermal power plants that use heat within the earth to produce electricity for
an entire region, and more individual geothermal systems that can heat your home.
Geothermal heat pumps are probably the most efficient and cheapest way to heat
any building.
- Benefits: Geothermal energy is renewable and clean energy that comes from
the earth. Geothermal power plants have lower emissions compared to other
types of power plants.
nearly every day and often take for granted: The sun. In fact, the earth gets far more
energy from the sun in a single day than the entire planet uses from other sources.
Solar energy can be collected in a variety of ways, the most common being
photovoltaic (PV) cells, and there are even solar thermal power plants.
- Benefits: Solar energy doesn’t create pollution or greenhouse gases and can
be used on a small scale (a solar cell to charge your phone) or a larger scale
(solar panels on a rooftop to power an entire house or town).
● WIND ENERGY – If you’ve ever seen a windmill, you’ve seen wind energy in action; in
fact, it’s one of the oldest forms of energy humans have used. Modern versions are
called wind turbines, which use propellers to harvest the wind energy. It’s a
relatively inexpensive energy source, but requires careful planning and use of the
right location with enough wind to regularly generate power.
- Benefits: Wind energy does not create any harmful emissions and has far
fewer impacts on the environment than other forms of energy.
● BIOMASS ENERGY – This type of energy might already sound kind of gross, and
sometimes it is. Basically anything that comes from plants or animals, including
waste, can be used as biomass energy. Examples include: Animal manure, sewage,
agricultural crops, food and yard waste, and wood. Biomass energy is generally
obtained by burning this type of waste, where it can be converted into methane gas
or fuels like ethanol for vehicles. Landfills, sewage treatment plants, and livestock
farms can also either use or collect and resell bio gases like methane, which would
otherwise end up in the earth’s atmosphere.
- Benefits: Many biofuels are considered “carbon neutral” because the plant
matter that is converted into biofuel helps keep carbon dioxide levels down
while it is growing. Ethanol is considered a cleaner burning fuel for
automobiles.
● GEOTHERMAL ENERGY – This type of energy comes from steam naturally made
within the earth, and is often used to generate electricity or to heat a building. There
are geothermal power plants that use heat within the earth to produce electricity for
an entire region, and more individual geothermal systems that can heat your home.
Geothermal heat pumps are probably the most efficient and cheapest way to heat
any building.
- Benefits: Geothermal energy is renewable and clean energy that comes from
the earth. Geothermal power plants have lower emissions compared to other
types of power plants.
