Different energy sources provide us with the power we need to live and work. Geothermal, solar, wind and biomass are just a few of the sources. These sources are not only major sources of electricity, but they can also be used for heating and transport. They can also emit greenhouse gases when they are burned to generate electricity. This creates a need for more environmentally sustainable energy sources.
Fossil fuels are the most common type of energy. They include coal, oil and natural gas. They were formed millions of years find out this here ago when prehistoric animals and plants died and were buried beneath layers of sedimentary rocks. Then, under the right conditions, they slowly transformed into carbon-rich substances which, when burnt produce energy. They are not renewable as they will run out in our lifetimes, or in many lifetimes.
Renewable energy sources are, however, are continually replenished. The primary renewable energy source is sunlight, which supplies warmth and light. It is used to power our homes and businesses and to drive cars. Wind is an energy source renewable that generates electricity through spinning turbines. We have used it since humans first discovered how to harvest the wind for millennia. We utilize biological processes to create alcohol (a clear, alcohol-like substance that can be used as fuel) from the waste of crops and other materials.
Among these sources, hydropower is the largest renewable energy source in the United States, though wind and biofuels are expected to become the dominant source in the near future. Hydropower is based on nature’s water cycle to harness the power of flowing water, which is then used for electricity generation.