by bestyrsofmylife

Created on: September 16, 2008

Top Renewable Energy Sources: Solar Power, Wind Power, and Hydropower

These are currently some of the top renewable energy sources that many hope to replace with coal, oil, and natural gas. Since these are finite resources that will indeed run out, many nations' dependance on these energy sources is a problem. Many of us experience the consequences of the low supply and high demand of these depleting energy sources everyday at the gas pump, as prices rise and our wallets take the hit. As people become more aware of global warming and the stress we are putting on our environment, many are ready to switch to cleaner, greener, and renewable energy sources such as Solar Power, Wind Power, and Hydropower. As more attention is being paid from news media, movies like 'An Inconvenient Truth' have sparked mass attention and concern for the welfare of our environment. The use of cleaner and renewable sources of energy have been recognized as a step in the right direction.

Solar Energy:

Many people are familiar with solar panels, and may have even seen a few on their neighbors' roof. Solar panels are one way to convert our most powerful source of energy, the sun, into electricity that can be used in homes, buildings, or even electric road signs. Solar energy can be used for various industrial processes, heating, lighting and cooling buildings and homes, and water heating.

Wind Power:

Wind is the movement of warm air rising and cooler air rushing in to take its place. Large wind turbines and wind power mills are used to capture wind energy and convert it into electricity. The power of wind has been used throught out history to sail ships, drive windmills to grind grain, and pump water.

Hydropower:

Some dams have converted the energy produced by rushing water into electricity for years. New developments are being made to take advantage of the powerful flow of water in more places without the necessity of superstructures like a dam. Since water is constantly recharged by the global cycle of evaporation and precipitation it is definitely one of our top renewable energy sources.

As research and development into renewable energy sources continues, many more inventive solutions are being presented as alternatives to the limited and noxious sources of energy we are currently dependent on.

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