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Louanna Herrera Salino

I Liceo Scientifico A

Renewable Energy
The term renewable energy refers to forms of energy from sources that regenerate at least the same
speed with which they are consumed and in other words are not exhaustible in the time scale of ''
geological ages '' and their use will not affect the same resources for future generations. These types
of energies are also called clean energies because not introduce harmful substances in the
atmosphere or altering the climate, such as carbon dioxide. So, they are different from those that are
derived from fossil fuels destined to run out in the time scale of human, becoming too expensive or
too polluting for the environment.
Some types of Renewable Energy are:
-

Solar (from the suns radiation)

Wind Power
Hydroelectric energy (from waters force)
Biomass (from incineration of organic waste)
Geothermal energy (from Earths temperature)
Tidal energy (from tidal and marine current)

There are many forms of renewable energy. Most of these renewable energies depend in one way or
another on sunlight. Wind and hydroelectric power are the direct result of differential heating of the
Earth's surface which leads to air moving about (wind) and precipitation forming as the air is lifted.
Solar energy is the direct conversion of sunlight using panels or collectors. Biomass energy is stored
sunlight contained in plants. Other renewable energies that do not depend on sunlight are
geothermal energy, which is a result of radioactive decay in the crust combined with the original
heat of accreting the Earth, and tidal energy, which is a conversion of gravitational energy.
These tools and more can help make the transition from non-renewable to renewable and
environmentally friendly energy. However, none of these is sufficiently developed or abundant
enough to substitute for fossil fuels use. Every one of these power sources (with the exception of
hydroelectric) has low environmental costs, and combined have the potential to be important in
avoiding a monumental crisis when the fossil fuel crunch hits. These energy sources are often noncentralized, leading to greater consumer control and involvement. However, currently each of these
energy forms is significantly more expensive than fossil fuels, which will lead to economic
dislocations and hardship if they become the only power source for the future.
Renewable energies have free resources as raw material, but the facilities to take advantage of
(wind turbines, solar panels) have a high manufacturing cost, which is only partially funded. The
performance of such facilities is still relatively low, and if we add that utilities are required to buy
the production at a higher than market price to artificially accelerate the amortization period
facilities, there we have because it is so expensive energy from renewables.
My opinion on this controversial issue is that it is true that many people prefer not to use them
because the manufacturing cost is very high, but if we are aware of the consequences every day
pollution cause, the damage costs are bigger each time. So we need to think that over time this will

Louanna Herrera Salino

I Liceo Scientifico A

increase and in the future will be worse but we need to stop this because we will be the ones who
will be affected and also future generations.

Bibliography:

Louanna Herrera Salino

I Liceo Scientifico A

http://www.altenergy.org/renewables/renewables.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy_debate
http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/local/topics/renewable.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy