Different Energy Sources

Different energy sources supply us with the energy we require to live and work. Geothermal, solar, wind and biomass are just a few of the sources. These sources aren’t only major sources of electricity, but they can also be used to heat and transport. These energy sources emit greenhouse gases when burned to generate electricity. This means that there is a need for more sustainable sources of energy.

The most widely used kind of energy is fossil fuels, made up of coal oil, natural gas. They were created millions of years ago when prehistoric animals and plants died and were buried beneath layers of sedimentary rocks. Under the right conditions the fossil fuels gradually transformed into carbon-rich substances that, when burnt produce energy. They are not renewable because they will run out in our lifetimes or even in many lifetimes.

Renewable energy sources are constantly replenished. The most important renewable energy source is sunlight, which provides heat and light. It is used for our homes, businesses, and cars. Wind is another renewable energy source, which produces electricity by spinning turbines. We have used it since humans first discovered how to harvest the wind for millennia. Finally, we use biochemical processes to create an ethanol (a clear alcohol that can be used as fuel) from waste and index crop residues.

Hydropower is by far the most important renewable energy source in the United States, but wind and biofuels will soon overtake it. Hydropower relies on nature’s cyclic water cycle to harness the power of flowing water, which is then used for electricity generation.