Sources of Renewable Energy

The largest source of renewable energy currently used is hydroelectric power. Hydroelectric power involves harnessing the kinetic energy of flowing water to turn turbines in order to produce electricity.

A similar form of renewable energy is wind power, which involves harnessing the kinetic energy of wind currents to turn large fan-like turbines.

Solar power, involves using the the light and heat produced by the sun as an energy source. The oldest, and perhaps the most common type of renewable energy is the burning of biomass--such as burning wood in a fireplace to heat a home.

Plants have more recently been used to create bio fuels (such as ethanol as an alternative to gasoline) and bio gases as an alternative to natural gas. Geothermal energy is another type of renewable energy that involves harnessing the natural heat of the earth's core to produce power.