© 2011, CleanEdison Inc. www.cleanedison.com July 2011 {cmot}

Renewable Energy - A Welcomed Alternative to Finite Resources

The last few decades brought around new concepts and a new approach regarding the environment and planet Earth. Recently, after the nuclear plant crisis caused in Japan by a massive earthquake, many countries started to reconsider nuclear energy related policies and questioned the very necessity of nuclear power plants. The need for renewable energy is stronger than ever. Fossil fuels are non-renewable, their resources are limited and they are environmentally damaging to retrieve.

Solar thermal energy, wind power, hydropower, geothermal energy and biomass are all renewable, abundant sources of energy. These sources are virtually inexhaustible, and with the constant development of renewable energy technologies, it is possible to ensure enough and adequate energy for all generations to come.

• Solar thermal energy is the energy derived from the sun, through solar radiation. We distinguish active (photovoltaic panels and solar collectors) and passive solar technologies (building orientation, the use of special materials that disperse thermal mass and light) depending on the way that solar energy is captured, converted and distributed in the process.

• Wind power is the energy generated by the airflows. The process is CO2 free and, for that reason, wind turbines are quickly becoming a popular means of modern power production in more and more countries. Offshore areas are exposed to harsh winds, so these areas present a great potential as wind power resources.

• Hydropower is power harnessed and used from water. Water streams, lakes and oceans can be used as resources for water-generated energy. Hydropower is not expensive, but reliable, and it is a non-polluting renewable energy source.

• Geothermal energy is produced using the heat from the core of the Earth. While building a power station is relatively expensive, maintenance and operating costs are relatively low, making this kind of energy appealing for suitable sites.

• Biomass. A viable alternative to fossil fuels, biomass is a traditional source of fuel and energy. Due to new technologies, biomass is nowadays a globally dominant source of energy.

The Sun, winds, rivers and oceans have been here long before us and will continue to be around long after we are gone. Relying on infinite sources of energy, which do not require harming the planet while retrieving them, is a noble aspiration. It is encouraging that many governments recognize the potential that lies in the use of renewable energy and are willing to invest into the research and development of new technologies.

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