Type Definition Examples Advantages Disadvantages

Solar
-energy from the sun
-you get this energy
from solar panels
-The suns radiation
is converted into
electrical energy
-home heating
-used for
electricity


-limitless source
of energy
-does not
produce
pollution
-is expensive
-practical in only
sunny areas

Hydropower -energy that
comes from the
force of moving
water
-ocean thermal
energy
conversion
-is renewable
-does not
produce air
pollution
-requires dams,
which disrupt a
rivers
ecosystem
-is available only
where there are
rivers
Wind Energy -energy that
comes from the
movement of air
-wind farms
-windmills

-is renewable
-is relatively
inexpensive to
generate
-does not
produce air
pollution
-is practical only
in windy areas
-expensive
Geothermal -energy that
comes from the
heat within the
earth
-they use steam
to power a
turbine
-the turbine
makes electricity
-is an almost
limitless source
of energy
-power plants
require little land
-is an almost
limitless source
of energy
-produces
wastewater,
which can
damage soil
Biomass
-Biomass is fuel that
is developed from
organic materials, a
renewable and
sustainable source
of energy used to
create electricity or
other forms of
power.
-wood
-crops
-seaweed waste
-is renewable
-is inexpensive
-requires large
areas of
farmland
-produces
smoke