Renewable Energy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Renewable Energy - Research Paper Example Since the beginning of industrial revolution, the consumption of energy in the world has been rapidly increasing. The need for renewable sources of energy has resulted from two factors: 1. The pollution resulting from burning of petroleum fuels 2. The inevitable decrease of oil reserves The use of renewable sources of energy as opposed to fossil fuels has led to the reduced rate of carbon emission. Most of the renewable energy is not produced directly from the source for use but has to use some equipment for it to be useful. There are various types of renewable energy. The type of renewable energy used in any particular country depends on its relative geographical location. Types of renewable energy Hydropower Water is denser than air and thus small amount of water is capable of producing a good quantity of energy. Energy gained from water is in different forms; micro hydro, ocean energy, hydroelectric energy and hydro without using dams. Water has a lot of power in it and contribute s the largest percentage of all renewable energy. Its energy is produced using mechanical energy of flowing water. The water is piped through a penstock pipe which turns the generator thus producing electricity. Solar Power Solar energy is among the oldest renewable source of energy. It consists of the energy which comes from the sun inform of solar radiation. Sun energy can be used in three different ways. One of them is the use of solar cells. In solar cells, photovoltaic or photoelectric cells directly transform light into electricity. The second one is solar water heating. Here, heat from sun is used for warming water in glass panels. This glass panels are set at the top of the roof for direct heating by the sun. Therefore, there is no further need of gas or electricity for warming the water. The last is the solar furnaces. They make use of the mirror to which captures the sun radiations to small area thus producing high temperatures. The solar furnaces are commonly used for coo king food. Biomass It is the most versatile form of renewable energy. Biomass fuel includes everything starting from wood to all trash in landfill. This is currently converted into methane for producing natural dry gas. Biomass fuel is burned in boilers thus heating water which turns a stream turbine creating electricity. Recent research has shown that animal waste especially manure is being used for by the dairy forms for energy production. Wind power Wind is one of the oldest sources of energy. As source of energy it involves a very simple process. Wind turbines are used to convert wind motion (kinetic energy) to the form of mechanical energy. This is in turn used for electricity generation. According to Maczulak (2009), the energy converted the second time using he generator to electrical energy. The converted energy is again passed through a grid where it is then transferred to power stations. The best position to establish the turbines is along the coastal areas, open fields an d hill tops. The biggest wind farms that have ever existed in the world are found in West Texas. Geothermal Power This involves the process of trapping underground heat. Energy that rises almost to the surface in heat form is then built. After the heat naturally forms steam, it is thus used for turning a steam turbine hence generating electricity. The decision on the type of energy source used by each country is based on the countries economy, resources and the willingness of the citizens to corporate. For instance, as suggested