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is energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are renewable (naturally replenished). About 16% of global final energy consumption comes from renewables, with 10% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.4% from hydroelectricity. New renewables (small hydro, modern biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels) accounted for another 3% and are growing very rapidly.The share of renewables in electricity generation is around 19%, with 16% of global electricity coming from hydroelectricity and 3% from new renewables.Wind power is growing at the rate of 30% annually, with a worldwide installed capacity of 198 gigawatts (GW) in 2010,and is widely used in Europe, Asia, and the United States.At the end of 2010, cumulative global photovoltaic (PV) installations surpassed 40 GW and PV power stations are popular in Germany and Spain. Solar thermal power stations operate in the USA and Spain, and the largest of these is the 354 megawatt (MW) SEGS power plant in the Mojave Desert.The world's largest geothermal power installation is the Geysers in California, with a rated capacity of 750 MW. Brazil has one of the largest renewable energy programs in the world, involving production of ethanol fuel from sugarcane, and ethanol now provides 18% of the country's automotive fuel. Ethanol fuel is also widely available in the USA. While many renewable energy projects are large-scale, renewable technologies are also suited to rural and remote areas, where energy is often crucial in human development. As of 2011, small solar PV systems provide electricity to a few million households, and micro-hydro configured into mini-grids serves many more. Over 44 million households use biogas made in household-scale digesters for lighting and/or cooking, and more than 166 million households rely on a new generation of more-efficient biomass cookstoves. United Nations' Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that renewable energy has the ability to lift the poorest nations to new levels of prosperity. Climate change concerns, coupled with high oil prices, peak oil, and increasing government support, are driving increasing renewable energy legislation, incentives and commercialization.New government spending, regulation and policies helped the industry weather the global financial crisis better than many other sectors. According to a 2011 projection by the
International Energy Agency, solar power generators may produce most of the worlds electricity within 50 years, dramatically reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases that harm the environment.
Solar energy
Solar energy is the term used for the heat and light which the sunlight contains. Sunlight reaches to earth in the form of photons. Photons are energy packets that contain light in it. Solar energy is considered as a renewable energy source because it does not destroy our eco system and is present naturally in the environment. Solar renewable energy is considered most environments friendly for cooking purposes. The rural or poor areas where there is abundance of sunlight and forests solar cookers have been introduced. This overture will prevent the process of deforestation and the smoke resulting from burning wood. This renewable energy source is used to provide heating and cooling space facilities. Also this precious energy is a safe substitute for electric lights. The installation of solar street lights can save useful electricity in light and can help us to lower utility bills. Therefore the applications of solar energy are unlimited now solar energy is supporting military operations.
TIDAL ENERGY
The energy of the tides which is transformed into useful electricity and other power sources is known as tidal energy or tidal power. The term tide means rise and fall of ocean and sea level due to gravitational strength from moon and rotation of earth. This is a renewable energy source which is under development and not many people know about it. Tidal energy or Tidal power is more efficient and reliable way of generating electricity as compared to wind mills and solar energy systems.
WIND ENERGY
Wind power or wind energy just like solar energy and falls in the category of renewable energy source. Wind pressure is a renewable energy source because it can be used again and again without the fear of it being diminished or become scarce. The quality of wind power to exist in abundance without depletion along with its environment friendly nature makes it desirable to use as an alternative source of energy.
The different types of hydroelectricity come from the water stored in dams; these dams convert the potential energy present in the water to the electricity with the support of generators. The amount of energy which can
be pulled out from water depends upon the working of Head (difference of height between the source and water flow).
Biomass energy
is another form of renewable energy source and it is derived from living or dead organisms like plants, waste and alcohol mostly. Biomass energy is getting widespread popularity nowadays. Biomass energy source is most often derived from plants either to generate electricity or to produce heat.
Biomass energy is derived form various sources which help in generating sufficient energy for use. The various source of generating energy from biomass are wood, waste, alcohol, garbage, landfill gases. Wood is either taken from trees or from the waste of industrial processes. The waste material of industry like paper making is really helpful in providing pulping liquor. The second major source of deriving biomass energy is from the solid waste. This solid waste is either provided by municipality waste or industrial waste.
NEUCLEAR POWER
The sun and stars are seemingly inexhaustible sources of energy. That energy is the result of nuclear reactions, in which matter is converted to energy. We have been able to harness that mechanism and regularly use it to generate power. Presently, nuclear energy provides for approximately 16% of the world's electricity. Unlike the stars, the nuclear reactors that we have today work on the principle of nuclear fission. Scientists are working like madmen to make fusion reactors which have the potential of providing more energy with fewer disadvantages than fission reactors.
operated nuclear power plants do not release contaminants into the environment.
generators. Their fuel being derived from natural and available resources reduces the costs of operation.Even more importantly, renewable energy produces little or no waste products such as carbon dioxide or other chemical pollutants, so has minimal impact on the environment.Renewable energy projects can also bring economic benefits to many regional areas, as most projects are located away from large urban centres and suburbs of the capital cities. These economic benefits may be from the increased use of local services as well as tourism It is easy to recognise the environmental advantages of utilising the alternative and renewable forms of energy but we must also be aware of the disadvantages.