What is the best renewable energy source?

A renewable energy source means energy that is sustainable – something that can’t run out, or is endless, like the sun. It means sources of energy that are alternative to the most commonly used non-sustainable sources – like coal.

Types of Renewable Energy Sources:

1) Solar energy – Solar energy is a renewable source of energy that is sustainable and totally inexhaustible, unlike fossil fuels that are finite. Solar energy is used for heating water for domestic use, heating space in buildings and generating electrical energy.
2) Wind energy – Wind power or wind energy is the use of wind to provide mechanical power through wind turbines to turn electric generators for electrical power.
3) Hydro energy – “Hydro power” is an eco-friendly renewable energy that generates power by harnessing the potential energy of water. It is incorporated into the natural cycle of the Earth and offers clean energy.
4) Tidal energy – Tidal power or tidal energy is harnessed by converting energy from tides into useful forms of power, mainly electricity using various methods. Although not yet widely used, tidal energy has the potential for future electricity generation. Tides are more predictable than the wind and the sun.
5) Geothermal energy – Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source because heat is continuously produced inside the earth. People use geothermal heat for bathing, to heat buildings, and to generate electricity.
6) Biomass Energy – Biomass refers to organic material from plants or animals. This includes wood, sewage, and ethanol (which comes from corn or other plants)

Extent to which Renewable Energy Sources are used:

Solar energy has been proven to be the most efficient and effective among renewable energy sources for home and commercial use.

Hydropower is the most widely-used renewable power source, with the global hydroelectric installed capacity exceeding 1,295GW, accounting for more than 18% of the world’s total installed power generation capacity and more than 54% of the global renewable power generation capacity.

Wind energy was the source of about 8.4% of total U.S. electricity generation and about 43% of electricity generation from renewable energy in 2020. Wind turbines convert wind energy into electricity.

Biomass was the source of about 1.4% of total U.S. electricity generation in 2020.

There are several sources of energy that are renewable and deemed to be environmentally friendly and support natural processes. These sources of energy offer an optional ‘cleaner’ source of energy, thus helping to deviate the effects of some forms of pollution. All of these power generation techniques can be portrayed as renewable since they are not diminishing any resource to produce the energy.

While there are several large-scale renewable energy projects and production, renewable technologies are perfectly suited to small off-grid applications, mainly in rural and remote areas, where energy is generally crucial in human development.

Here are some of the most effective renewable energy sources that you must catch your attention.
1. Solar Power
2. Hydroelectricity
3. Wind Power
4. Geothermal Power
5. Radiant Energy
6. Compressed Natural Gas
7. Biomass
8. Nuclear Power

I believe sun is the most consistently abundant renewable energy source on the planet. The challenge in harnessing the power of the sun is more technological than geographically and it is therefore more achievable by humanity.

A renewable energy source means energy that is sustainable – something that can’t run out, or is endless, like the sun. When you hear the term ‘alternative energy’ it’s usually referring to renewable energy sources too. It means sources of energy that are alternative to the most commonly used non-sustainable sources – like coal. The most popular renewable energy sources currently are:

1. 1. Solar energy
   2. Wind energy
   3. Hydro energy
   4. Tidal energy
   5. Geothermal energy
   6. Biomass energy