With the recent surge in the concern over the environment renewable energy has become popular. There are many choices of renewable energy now available. The use of renewable energy is not new. Throughout history people have used renewable energy like wind and water as tools for power they need. However today with recent innovations there are many ways other renewable energy can be used. Electricity, water, and heating and cooling power can be developed from renewable resources. By using renewable resources for energy the environment is healthier and costs are lowered. The use of renewable energy is a win win situation.
Solar power is probably the most popular form of renewable energy. This innovation uses sunlight as a source for power. Using sunlight as a source for light is the most widely used form of solar power. Many use solar lights to light the paths of the driveways to the doors. Recently innovations have been developed that allow solar energy to be converted into electricity to power the home. This lowers the dependency on fossil fuels and lowers the carbon emissions which helps improve the environment. Sunlight also can be used to heat the home.
Wind power is being used in some parts of the world today. This energy source uses wind energy that is converted into electricity. The most widely known area is West Texas. Huge wind turbines are used to capture the power of the wind. This power is then converted and stored until needed. In the past wind power has been used in a variety of ways. Corn millers used wind mills to grind corn and wheat into flour. Early western settlers had windmills to pump water from deep underground to supply the water needs of the homestead.
Hydropower, or water energy, has been used for years to produce energy. This uses the natural force of flowing water to create power that is used. The best known hydro plant is Hoover dam. It was completed in 1936 and supplies electricity to residents in Nevada, California, and Arizona. Other uses of hydro power are water wheels. In early America, the water wheel was used on boats to navigate the rivers. Other industries also used the water wheel to power the machinery in plants such as lumber mills.
Geothermal energy is a renewable resource that heats and cools homes in regions where the environment is ripe to use Earth's natural energy. Like natural hot springs, the energy from underground can be used to power the homes. Ocean energy is the form that uses ocean water energy to produce energy needs.
Renewable energy and using it for power is not new. There are several examples throughout history of creative uses of nature to produce energy needed. By using these renewable resources people lower the carbon emissions from the traditional fossil fuels creating a healthier environment. Renewable energy is more cost efficient and abundant compared to nonrenewable resources. As new innovations continue developing, so will the way renewable energy can be used to create power consumers need.
