Different Energy Sources
We require a variety of energy sources to live and work. Solar, wind, geothermal and biomass are among the sources. These sources are not just major sources of electricity, but they can also be used to heat and transport. The main challenge with these sources of energy is that they could cause greenhouse gas emissions if they are burned to generate electricity. This is why there is a need for more sustainable energy sources.
Fossil fuels are the most popular form of energy. They include oil, coal, and natural gas. They were formed millions of year ago when prehistoric animals and plants died and were buried beneath layers of sedimentary rocks. When the right conditions, they were slowly transformed into carbon-rich substances which, when burned create energy. These fossil fuels cannot be recycled as they will run out in our lifetimes or in many lifetimes.
Renewable energy sources are continuously replenished. The most important renewable energy source is sunlight, which produces heat and light. It is used to power our homes and businesses, as well as to drive our vehicles. Wind is a different renewable energy source that generates electricity by spinning turbines. Since the first time people realized how to harness the wind and harness it, we have been using it for millennia. We employ biological processes to produce the ethanol (a alcohol-like substance that is clear and transparent that can be used to make fuel) from the waste of crops and other materials.
As a result, hydropower is the largest renewable energy source in the United States, though wind and biofuels are expected to become the leading source of energy in the near future. Hydropower relies on nature’s cyclic water cycle to harness the power of rapid-flowing water, which is used for electricity generation.