Renewable Energy

Energy that is generated from our natural resources is considered as renewable energy. Since the resources are natural and naturally replenished, there is no reasonable likely hood that their sources will dry up. These sources of renewable energy come from the sunlight, rain, tides, wind, and geothermal heat. The older traditional sources of renewable energy are wood-burning and hydro-electricity as well as solar hot water/heating.

Concerns about climate change and atmospheric pollution have brought a greater awareness of using renewable sources. Recent high oil prices have made the public more aware of the energy problem.

Government support has been increasing causing increasing renewable energy legislation. There is now more commercialization with our renewable energy resources. European Union leaders reached an agreement in principle last year (March 2007) that 20 percent of their nations’ energy should be produced from renewable fuels by 2020.

Solar Two's thermal storage system generated electricity during cloudy weather and at night.

Even our presidential candidate Barack Obama is proposing a big step in energy independence by using renewable energy sources late in the next decade for the USA. There is more investment capital flowing into renewable energy every year and with the trend of energy independence more reliance on those sources of energy are almost certain to have a bigger role in the future.

The use of wind power is growing rapidly. Wind power is widely used in the United States and in several European countries. Within an hours drive of my home there are large wind farms in the desert near Palm Springs, California. Other such farms near the freeway can be seen in Northern California. Wind power is growing annually at a rate of 30 percent.

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