Some Forms Of Renewable Energy

There are many different forms of renewable energy. It is important that individuals, businesses and corporations start to think of these and really start to incorporate then into a daily routine. This means using alternative power for electricity, heating water, and providing heat and cooling. Luckily this is already starting to happen, with the help of companies that are dedicated to helping business become Green and environmentally conscious.

There are three major renewable energy sources. One of them is hydro, the others are solar and wind power. Any time you go over a dam, and see electrical lines coming out of it, they are using water turbines to create electricity for homes and businesses. There are already large hydroelectric plants operating all over the country, supplying at least some of the power to major cities like Las Vegas, and New York City, just to name a few.

One of the most prolific renewable energy resources that you are starting to see is wind turbine electric power. Texas has one of the largest concentrations of wind farms in the world, and more states are getting on the band wagon. Why is this? Because wind is around almost all the time, day and night. Large wind farms can generate thousands of Kilowatt hours of power every day. While there may not be as much wind at ground level, at higher levels there is almost a constant wind of at least ten to fifteen miles an hour, enough to turn a wind turbine at minimal speeds. Even this small amount of wind can generate hundreds of kilowatt hours a day. Wind power has been used for hundreds of years for a variety of applications, generating electricity, pumping water, grinding wheat, just to name a few.

Solar power is one of the most versatile forms of renewable energy out there. Although it has only been around for a few hundred years, solar power has probably had the most advances in technologies. When people think of solar power, what comes to mind is electricity. However, this is only a part of the applications for solar power. Solar energy can be used for heating water, cooking, heating and cooling homes, and a variety of others. While you may not see a lot of solar generating power stations here in America, it is widely used in countries like South Africa, where the sun's energy is plentiful all through the year. The most practical uses for solar panels are for homes and businesses, because a small solar array of just four to ten panels can supply more that enough electricity to power everything. Combined with solar powered water heaters and solar air heating units, a large home or a medium sized business could be self sustaining, without any outside help.

These are just a few of the most common forms of renewable energy. There is Bio-diesel that is already being used in many vehicles, including trucks that transport goods across the country. There are hydrogen fuel cells that are being developed and are already in use in smaller applications. There are electric vehicles and hybrid cars that are in mass production. Geo thermal energy, while not available everywhere, is also being used.

Visit Grunergy for more information about renewable energy.