| Renewable energy can be described as the type | | | | Wind power is another popular source of renewable |
| energy that won't run out, and doesn't rely on using oil | | | | energy. Wind turbines are used to create electricity. |
| or coal to create the fuels and power we rely on. | | | | Often found inland and off shore to make the most of |
| Traditional fossil fuels, such as those derived from oil | | | | the weather, wind turbines are able to produce more |
| and coal will run out one day, and there are currently | | | | electricity as the wind speed increases. China perhaps |
| many different types of sustainable alternatives which | | | | surprisingly has the 5th largest wind power installation in |
| could be utilised instead. | | | | the world. |
| The ever-increasing demand for electricity, gas and | | | | 3. Water Power |
| vehicle fuel, combined with the soaring costs of gas | | | | Water power has been used for hundreds of years, |
| and electricity, means that finding reliable affordable | | | | and can vary from a relatively simple waterwheel |
| and clean alternative energy sources is of paramount | | | | which powered mills in the past, to modern |
| importance. | | | | hydroelectric dams. Tidal and wave power are popular |
| 1. Solar Power | | | | forms of producing electricity by renewable energy. |
| Solar power is probably the best known and most | | | | 4. Geothermal Energy |
| widely used form of renewable energy. It works by | | | | Geothermal energy is produced from naturally |
| converting sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic | | | | occurring steam in the earth's crust, which can then be |
| cells, (PV). As sunlight hits the PV cell, some of the light | | | | used to drive a turbine. Geothermal energy is popular in |
| is absorbed, transferring the energy to the PV cell. This | | | | New Zealand, Italy and Iceland where the heat stored |
| loosens electrons in the PV cell which then flow freely, | | | | beneath the surface of the earth can be easily |
| and can be controlled using electric fields. The | | | | accessed. |
| electrons then become a current which can be | | | | 5. Biomass |
| harnessed by putting metal contacts at the top and | | | | Biomass uses organic matter such as food waste, |
| bottom of the cell. | | | | animal waste, waste wood and forestry wood, or |
| Solar Power technology is improving rapidly, and | | | | crops grown especially to be used as fuel. Biomass |
| production of PV cells doubles approximately every 2 | | | | renewable energy, although not carbon neutral, is a big |
| years, making solar power one of the fastest growing | | | | improvement and a help to the environment. Biomass |
| technologies in the world. Solar power can be used for | | | | also helps to reduce the amount of landfill, as so much |
| heating and creating electricity in both domestic and | | | | of what would be buried can be used to generate |
| commercial settings. Even in countries or areas that | | | | heat and electricity. |
| are traditionally not thought of as sunny, solar power | | | | As the demand for fossil fuel alternatives increases, |
| can still be used, as the technology can use daylight, as | | | | renewable energy will become more popular and the |
| well as bright sunlight. Small solar panels can be found | | | | technologies required will improve and become more |
| on domestic goods such as calculators, battery | | | | cost effective. This will lead to cheaper prices and |
| chargers and garden lights, whilst larger solar panels | | | | more countries and more people will be able to utilise |
| can be found powering homes or even providing | | | | renewable energy as part of their everyday lives. Are |
| electricity for whole towns. | | | | you doing your bit? |
| 2. Wind power | | | | |