Any form of self-replenishing energy can be defined as a Renewable Energy source such as Solar, Wind, Water and Geothermal (Note: The energy inherent in Wind, Water and Geothermal are a function of Solar Energy or the interaction of the Sun and the Earth). Renewable Energy is also an energy source that for the most part is environmentally friendly, in that it does not release toxic substances into the natural environment the way Fossil Fuels (Oil, Gas & Coal) and Nuclear power do. Renewable Energy Source also do not adversely affect the earths climate as do Fossil Fuels, as such they are increasingly becoming a viable alternative to burning Coal, Oil and Gas as a means for generating electricity as well as heating & cooling our indoor environments.



Power Plants that burn Coal or Oil to generate electricity are the biggest stationary source for the emission of environmentally dangerous gases like sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide. These toxic gases cause the smog that hangs over our cities, the acid rain that acidifies our waterways as well as the death of millions of trees in mountainous regions. Combustion engine which power our cars and trucks are the next largest source of these toxic gases since there are tens of millions of cars and trucks on the road globally.

To complicate matters the gases Carbon Dioxide and Methane are believed to be the two major gases that are responsible for worldwide temperature increases. These gases have the ability of trapping the Suns energy and any waste energy created by man (heat by product), and as a result have steadily over the past century and much more rapidly over the last 30 years increased the worldwide temperature.

Most scientist today believe that the worldwide temperature increases we are observing today are responsible for the rapid melting of Glacial Ice which helps in regulating Global Temperature and in keeping Sea Levels low. As more and more Glacial Ice melts and is not replenished many regions of the world that depend on the regular melting of Glacial Ice for water are seeing less water year after year. Also as more and more Glacial Ice melts this releases massive amounts of fresh water into the oceans, affecting marine life and puts at risk coastal regions globally as sea levels begin to rise.

Concerned Scientist, Citizens and Corporations in an effort to reduce these dangerous negative trends are looking at Renewable Energy Sources to replace the Fossil Fuels we have been using in earnest since the industrial revolution began.


Renewable Energy Sources

Water Power is probably one of the first Renewable Energy Sources harnessed by man dating back to ancient times. In our modern age Water Power is used to produce huge quantities of electricity through the engineering marvel known as Hydroelectric Power Generation. This system in it's simplest form rotates a water wheel that is attached to a turbine which in turn produces electricity.

Another Renewable Energy Source is Wind Power; like water power wind power was used to replace manual labor. It has been used for hundreds of years to provide the energy needed to irrigate fields, grind grains and so on. Wind Power in our modern age is used to produce electricity through the use of Wind Turbines in much the same way as is done in Hydroelectric Power Generation (The difference being that air is the working fluid not water).

Lastly there is Solar Energy (though there are other sources including Geothermal, Ocean Wave...). Solar Energy can be used to heat and cool our homes and work places as well as produce electricity. With a device known as a Solar Cell, Sunlight (or any light source) can produce electricity directly without mechanical means. A Solar Cell is able accomplish this feat because it takes advantage of the particle nature of Sunlight (The Photon). Solar Energy is also used used to Super Heat a liquid (such as water) producing Super Heated Steam which drives a turbine to generate electricity.

With todays technologies Wind and Solar Power are a boon to home owners, as these two Renewable Energy Sources are fairly easy to implement. The application of these technological advancements reduce your carbon footprint and your energy consumption. Implementing Renewable Energy Technologies in your home will increase it's resale value and get you tax breaks from federal and local governments for installing Renewable Energy Technologies.

Many of you may be thinking that installing an array of Solar Panels or a Wind Turbine in your back yard is an expensive and difficult task, but with todays technology this is not the case. For instance did you know that you can produce your own Solar Panels for under two hundred dollars which will save you thousands of dollars over commercially available units!

Did you also know that you could easily build a Solar Heating Storage Unit to heat your entire home making you much less dependent on heating oil, gas or electricity which may currently be one of your heating solutions.

It is now possible for home owners to be almost completely free of Fossil Fuels and the technologies that use them for generating power, which long term saves you money and helps restores the earths natural balance.



In conclusion Renewable Energy is not a fanciful trend that will disappear over time, but is and will become an intricate part of our daily lives and is a smart and important solution in counteracting the effects of Climate Change that is being experienced globally. Renewable Energy is a Safe, Clean and Effective alternative to Fossil Fuels and over time will realize Cost Advantages that Fossil Fuels can not since their cost is steadily increasing; making Renewable Energy a good deal for your Pocket Book, Community and the Planet.

Learn more on how you can join the Renewable Energy Revolution and become Energy Independent.