Renewable energy is continually replenished and non-polluting: geothermal, sun, water, and wind. The popularity of renewable energy is growing due to high oil prices, change, government legislation, and mounting government support paired with incentives. Greenhouse gases are detrimental to the Earth’s atmosphere; these gases allow sunlight to enter the atmosphere, thus trapping heat in the atmosphere. These rising temperatures may trigger climate change. Greenhouse gases in North America are primarily from energy consumption due to economic growth
Solar power technologies utilize the sun’s energy to provide electricity. Solar power supplies less than 1% of U.S energy requirements; nevertheless, solar technologies are quickly advancing. Solar technologies used for harnessing solar energy include photovoltaic cells, passive solar designs, and flat-plate collectors. The applications used to adapt solar power into electricity are costly, yet, the substantial potential of solar energy remains.
Hydropower is the most conventional renewable energy source, and uses flowing water to produce electricity. Major dam sites in the United States include the Tennessee Valley, the Colorado River, and the Northwest. Hydropower is suitable for supplying large electricity requirements and is the least expensive renewable energy source.
Wind energy applies wind turbines to generate electricity; this sector of renewable energy is the fastest growing. Ideal placement for turbines is in an area of strong winds: Alaska, the Appalachians, and the western United States.
Geothermal energy utilizes natural sources of heat trapped beneath the Earth. Underground hot water or steam is the conventional form of generating power. Geothermal technologies embrace geothermal heat pumps, direct-use systems, and reservoirs.
Innovative technologies continuously attempt to improve the employment of renewable energy.
Livestock methane gas emission is a severe threat to the global climate. In British Columbia, the Cowpower Program encourages residents to pay a slight percentage on their utility bill. This premium will help pay for an anaerobic digester- bacteria is converted into organic material, creating energy.
Groundbreaking transportation could ease the reliance on fossil fuels for energy. The invention of a speed vacuum train could be reality in the near future. A speed-vac train is based upon the idea of removing the air from a sealed tub, and pressing a train through. Conventional trains use a great deal of energy; the vacuum theory would be matched with magnetic levitation devices, allowing trains to reach 4,000 mph.
The latest in solar technology has spawned the idea of a device to trap light, which progresses the proficiency of organic solar shells by 175%. This “black hole for light” could possibly allow for an economical, marketable solar shell.