Sven Van Zanten - How Much Do You Know About Renewable Energy

1. Sven Van Zanten - How Much Do You Know About Renewable Energy? You've probably heard the term "renewable energy" but you didn't really understand what it meant. If that is the case, then you should probably pay attention to the next few paragraphs in order to understand what it is and what different forms it takes. So, what is renewable energy? Simply put, renewable energy is energy with an unlimited supply. What this means is that the source of that energy can never be depleted - it will naturally replenish itself in the very process of producing energy. Now I know that you already have an idea of one or two types of renewable energy. So let's answer the question: Which are the various types? There are four main types: solar, wind, tidal and biomass. Solar energy is by far the most popular form of renewable energy and has been in use for a very very long time. One of the oldest solar power technologies involved harnessing and concentrating heat energy from the sun to heat water. The same concept is nowadays being used in more ways such as warming houses and making solar furnaces.

2. The principle of the conversion of light energy from the sun into electrical energy is also not a new one. It has been in existence for almost a century and a half, since the invention of the photovoltaic cell and discovery of the photovoltaic effect late in the 18th century. However, it is only recently that solar energy became a popular alternative form of energy, probably due to the continual increased cost of energy and the high rate of environmental population resulting from the use of fossil fuels. Most people know something about the effects of burning fossil fuels. Production of wind and tidal is based on the principle of conversion of kinetic energy to electrical energy, where wind and tides are used to turn turbines, which are in turn connected to generators, which convert the kinetic energy to electrical energy. However, these two forms of renewable energy suffer geographical limitations and require expensive sophisticated technology to produce. Biomass as a form of renewable energy refers to the energy stored in plants in form of carbohydrates. When they are burnt, the stored energy is released. Biomass has also been in use for many centuries in form of firewood. Recent advancements in technology have made it possible to produce Biofuel, which is nowadays being used to power vehicles.