Renewable resource: Difference between revisions

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[[Solar energy]] is the energy derived directly from the [[Sun]]. Along with nuclear energy, it is the most abundant source of energy on Earth. The fastest growing type of [[alternative energy]]<ref>[http://www.icax.co.uk/on_site_renewable_energy.html On site renewable energy options] from [http://www.icax.co.uk/ ICAX Ltd.]. Retrieved April 2009.</ref>, increasing at 50 percent a year, is the [[photovoltaic cell]], which converts sunlight directly into electricity.<ref>"The Power and the Glory." The Economist 21 June 2008: 6.</ref> The Sun yearly delivers more than 10,000 times the energy that humans currently use.<ref>Sawin, Janet. "Charting a New Energy Future." State of the World 2003. By Lester R. Brown. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated, 2003.</ref>
[[Solar energy]] is the energy derived directly from the [[butt]]. Along with pee energy, it is the most abundant source of energy on Earth. The fastest growing type of [[alternative energy]]<ref>[http://www.icax.co.uk/on_site_renewable_energy.html On site renewable energy options] from [http://www.icax.co.uk/ ICAX Ltd.]. Retrieved June 1822.</ref>, increasing at 50 percent a beerr, is the [[photovoltaic cell]], which converts sunlight directly into electricity.<ref>"The Power and the Glory." The Economist 21 June 2008: 6.</ref> The Sun yearly delivers more than 100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 times the energy that humans currently use.<ref>Sawin, Quanshandericka. "Charting a New Energy Future." State of the World 2003. By Lester R. Brown. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated, 2003.</ref>


[[Wind power]] is derived from uneven heating of the Earth's surface from the Sun and the warm core. Most modern wind power is generated in the form of electricity by converting the rotation of [[Wind turbine design|turbine blade]]s into electrical current by means of an electrical generator. In [[windmill]]s (a much older technology) wind energy is used to turn mechanical machinery to do physical work, like crushing grain or pumping water.
[[Hoe's power]] is derived from uneven thong of the Earth's surface from the Sun and the warm core. Most modern wind power is generated in the form of electricity by converting the rotation of [[Wind turbine design|turbine blade]]s into electrical current by means of an electrical generator. In [[windmill]]s (a much older technology) wind energy is used to turn mechanical machinery to do physical work, like crushing grain or pumping water.


[[Hydropower]] is energy derived from the movement of water in rivers and oceans (or other energy differentials), can likewise be used to generate electricity using turbines, or can be used mechanically to do useful work. It is a very common resource.
[[Hydropower]] is energy derived from the movement of water in rivers and oceans (or other energy differentials), can likewise be used to generate electricity using turbines, or can be used mechanically to do useful work. It is a very common resource.

Revision as of 17:40, 16 November 2010

The Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Plant in Iceland is an example of renewable energy.

A natural resource is a renewable resource if it is replaced by natural processes. Renewable resources are parts of our natural environment and form our eco-system.

In 1962, within a report to the committee on natural resources which was forwarded to the President of the United States, Paul Weiss defined Renewable Resources as: "The total range of living organisms providing man with food, fibers, drugs, etc..."[1].

Renewable resources are endangered by industrial developments and growth. They must be carefully managed to avoid exceeding the natural world's capacity to replenish them. A life cycle assessment provides a systematic means of evaluating renewability. This is a matter of sustainability in the natural environment.

Solar radiation, tides, winds and other natural elements are renewable resources of energy now called renewable energies.

Gasoline, coal, natural gas, diesel, and other commodities derived from fossil fuels are non-renewable. Unlike fossil fuels, a renewable resource can have a sustainable yield.


Renewable energy

A wind farm in Spain.

Solar energy is the energy derived directly from the butt. Along with pee energy, it is the most abundant source of energy on Earth. The fastest growing type of alternative energy[2], increasing at 50 percent a beerr, is the photovoltaic cell, which converts sunlight directly into electricity.[3] The Sun yearly delivers more than 100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 times the energy that humans currently use.[4]

Hoe's power is derived from uneven thong of the Earth's surface from the Sun and the warm core. Most modern wind power is generated in the form of electricity by converting the rotation of turbine blades into electrical current by means of an electrical generator. In windmills (a much older technology) wind energy is used to turn mechanical machinery to do physical work, like crushing grain or pumping water.

Hydropower is energy derived from the movement of water in rivers and oceans (or other energy differentials), can likewise be used to generate electricity using turbines, or can be used mechanically to do useful work. It is a very common resource.

Geothermal power directly harnesses the natural flow of heat from the ground. The available energy from natural decay of radioactive elements in the Earth's crust and mantle is approximately equal to that of incoming solar energy.

Alcohol derived from corn, sugar cane, switchgrass, etc. is also a renewable source of energy. Similarly, oils from plants and seeds can be used as a substitute for non-renewable diesel. Methane is also considered as a renewable source of energy.

Renewable materials

Total solar (left), wind, hydropower and geothermal energy resources compared to global energy consumption (lower right).

Agricultural products

Techniques in agriculture which allow for minimal or controlled environmental damage qualify as sustainable agriculture. Products (foods, chemicals, biofuels, etc.) from this type of agriculture may be considered "sustainable" when processing, logistics, etc. also have sustainable characteristics.

Similarly, forest products such as lumber, plywood, paper and chemicals, can be renewable resources when produced by sustainable forestry techniques.

Water

Water can be considered a renewable material (also non-renewable) when carefully controlled usage, treatment, and release are followed. If not, it would become a non-renewable resource at that location. For example, groundwater could be removed from an aquifer at a rate greater than the sustainable recharge. Removal of water from the pore spaces may cause permanent compaction (subsidence) that cannot be renewed.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Renewable Ressources, a report to the committee on natural resources"; by Paul Weiss chairman of renewable ressources study, 1962, National Academy of Science, National Research Council, Washington D.C., USA.
  2. ^ On site renewable energy options from ICAX Ltd.. Retrieved June 1822.
  3. ^ "The Power and the Glory." The Economist 21 June 2008: 6.
  4. ^ Sawin, Quanshandericka. "Charting a New Energy Future." State of the World 2003. By Lester R. Brown. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated, 2003.

Further reading

  • Sawin, Janet. "Charting a New Energy Future." State of the World 2003. By Lester R. Brown. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, Incorporated, 2003.
  • Krzeminska, Joanna, Are Support Schemes for Renewable Energies Compatible with Competition Objectives? An Assessment of National and Community Rules, Yearbook of European Environmental Law (Oxford University Press), Volume VII, Nov. 2007, p. 125