renewable energy

(noun)

Energy that can be replenished at the same rate as it is used.

Related Terms

Examples of renewable energy in the following topics:

  • Payback, ROI and renewable energy

    • The long-term financial rewards of renewable energy cannot be understood without comprehending ‘payback' or return-on-investment (ROI), both of which measure profitability in relation to capital expenses.
    • This is not the case with wind, sunlight and many other renewable energy sources.
    • With renewable energy (e.g. wind and sunlight), however, after the expense of conversion machinery is paid for, the electricity or heat obtained is free of charge (minus the cost of maintenance and disposal) while non-renewables maintain the constant expenses associated with: continuous extraction and refinement, waste treatment, maintenance and disposal, and related environmental disasters and healthcare costs.
    • The payback period of the €50,000 investment, which is based on the annual market cost of electricity if the switch to renewable energy had not been made (€10,000) is therefore 5 years (€10,000 x 5 years = €50,000).
    • Again, the ultimate payoff isthat at the end of the payback period, the business receives free electricity (minus maintenance and disposal costs) which is why renewable energy can be a smart investment.

  • World Energy Use

    • The most prominent sources of energy used in the world are non-renewable (i.e., unsustainable).
    • shows a pie chart of world energy usage by category—both renewable and nonrenewable sources.
    • Renewable energy comes from sources with an unlimited supply.
    • In the US, only 10% of energy comes from renewable sources (mostly hydroelectric energy).
    • While renewable energy development makes up a only small percentage of the field, strides are being made in natural energy, particularly wind energy.

  • New Energy Sources

    • Alternative and renewable energy sources can reduce the environmental impact of energy production and consumption.
    • Renewable energy is energy that comes from natural resources, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat, which are all naturally replenished.
    • Brazil has one of the largest renewable energy programs in the world, involving production of ethanol fuel from sugarcane.
    • While many renewable energy projects are large-scale, renewable technologies can also be suited to rural and remote areas, where energy is often crucial in human development.
    • Ethanol is a quasi-renewable energy source.

  • Introduction to Cooperative Networking

    • In Australia, a building designer teams with a rival architectural firm, a renewable energy supply business, and a construction company to discuss affordable, energy-efficient homes.

  • Energy Policy

    • The administration of Barack Obama has proposed an aggressive energy policy reform, including the need for a reduction of CO2 emissions with a cap and trade program, which could help encourage more clean renewable, sustainable energy development.
    • Renewable energy accounted for about 8% of total energy consumption in the United States in 2009.
    • In the same year, approximately 10% of the electricity produced nationally came from renewable sources.
    • The United States' hydroelectric plants make the largest contribution to the country's renewable energy, producing 248,100MW of the 371,700MW (67%) generated through all renewable energy.
    • Increases in wind, solar, and geothermal power are expected to allow renewable energy production to double in the three-year period from 2009 to 2012, an increase from 8% to 14% of total consumption.

  • Present Sources of Energy

    • Present sources of energy include fossil fuels, various types of renewable energy, and nuclear power.
    • The estimates for remaining non-renewable worldwide energy resources vary; the remaining fossil fuels total an estimated 0.4 YJ (1 YJ = yottajoule, or 1024 J) and the the energy available from nuclear fuels such as uranium exceeds 2.5 YJ.
    • The total energy flux from the sun is 3.8 YJ/yr, which dwarfs all non-renewable resources.
    • As of 2010, use of fossil fuels as an energy source comprised over 80% of total energy consumed.
    • Renewable energy sources only comprised 16.7% of our energy in 2010.

  • Establishing Why Your Claims Matter

    • Claim in context: This passage describes the current conversation about sustainable energy, uses pragmatic evidence to make a contribution to that conversation, and infers a larger conclusion about the future impact on energy usage: "The contemporary debate about renewable energy is still fragmented: solar energy has its loyal defenders, but so do wind energy, biomass energy, and hydropower.
    • Claim in Context: This passage describes the current conversation about sustainable energy, uses pragmatic evidence to make a contribution to that conversation, and infers a larger conclusion about the future impact on energy usage: "The contemporary debate about renewable energy is still fragmented: solar energy has its loyal defenders, but so do wind energy, biomass energy, and hydropower.
    • Supporting claims with evidence: Let's return to the essay about renewable energy, which argues for increased funding for solar research.
    • The U.S. government should increase its investments in solar energy, and decrease its investments in wind energy. " This passage explains a specific advantage of solar energy and infers a general recommendation from that evidence.
    • Claim in Context: This passage describes the current conversation about sustainable energy, uses pragmatic evidence to make a contribution to that conversation, and infers a larger conclusion about the future impact on energy usage: "The contemporary debate about renewable energy is still fragmented: solar energy has its loyal defenders, but so do wind energy, biomass energy, and hydropower.

  • Indicating Who Cares

    • When policymakers decide whether or not to investigate possible sources of renewable energy, their decisions affect the entire population.
    • Given the potential cost savings, environmental benefits, and overall stability of sustainable domestic energy, renewable energy research should be a high priority.
    • Solar energy has a proven track record, making it more reliable than other potential energy sources such as ethanol and algae.
    • The case for funding more solar energy research is simple enough to present in layman's terms. "
    • To put these ideas into practice, let's return to the example of the solar energy essay.

  • New Sources of Energy

    • Environmental and political stability in the U.S. has been threatened in recent years by a continued dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels, particularly those from outside sources.
    • "Energy independence" has thus become an important buzzword in U.S. politics, leading to greater investment in new and alternative sources of energy.
    • Two of the best known and least scientifically controversial new energy sources are solar power and wind power.
    • These wind turbines exemplify one type of a new and alternative energy source.
    • Describe the challenges facing those attempting to shift the United States away from non-renewable sources of energy

  • Types of Natural Resources

    • Renewable natural resources: these are resources that can be replenished.
    • Examples of renewable resources include sunlight, air, and wind .
    • Examples of non-renewable natural resources are minerals and fossil fuels.
    • Wind is an example of a renewable natural resource.
    • It has also been used as a form of energy development through wind turbines.