Renewable Energy

Geothermal plants usually drill deep into the Earth to reach the steam produced by the heat of the Earth. Here, steam pipes lead from a geothermal field toward a power-generation plant in New Zealand

Source: iStockphoto

Renewable energy is the energy produced by using natural resources that will regenerate in time. Primary sources of renewable energy are water, geothermal heat, wind, and sunlight. The energy produced by using different organic materials, such as wood, agricultural rejects, forestry residues, and urban solid waste (called biomass) is also regarded as “renewable.” According to authoritative international agencies like the United Nations Environment Programme and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, renewable energies represent the mo st realistic alternative to fossil fuels. At present, renewable sources are employed chiefly in the [Page 371]production of electricity, but also to produce biofuels and to provide heat for industrial and private users. Over the last 10 years, the development of renewable energies has been stimulated by concern over global warming. At this time, it is believed that renewable energy sources will play a key role in limiting greenhouse gases emissions.