TYPES OF RENEWABLE

ENERGY
What is a renewable energy source?

A renewable energy source means energy that

is sustainable - something that can't run out, or is
endless, like the sun. When you hear the term
'alternative energy' it's usually referring to
renewable energy sources too. It means sources of
energy that are alternative to the most commonly
used non-sustainable sources - like coal.
The most popular renewable energy
sources currently are:
1. Solar energy
2. Wind energy
3. Hydro energy
4. Tidal energy
5. Geothermal energy
6. Biomass energy
How these types of renewable
energy work?
1. Solar energy
Sunlight is one of our planet’s most abundant and freely
available energy resources. The amount of solar energy
that reaches the earth’s surface in one hour is more than
the planet’s total energy requirements for a whole year.
Although it sounds like a perfect renewable energy
source, the amount of solar energy we can use varies
according to the time of day and the season of the year as
well as geographical location. In the UK, solar energy is
an increasingly popular way to supplement your energy
usage.
2. Wind energy
Wind is a plentiful source of clean energy. Wind
farms are an increasingly familiar sight in the UK
with wind power making an ever-increasing
contribution to the National Grid. To harness
electricity from wind energy, turbines are used to
drive generators which then feed electricity into
the National Grid. Although domestic or ‘off-grid’
generation systems are available, not every
property is suitable for a domestic wind turbine.
Find out more about wind energy on our wind
power page.
3. Hydro energy
As a renewable energy resource, hydro
power is one of the most commercially
developed. By building a dam or barrier, a
large reservoir can be used to create a
controlled flow of water that will drive a
turbine, generating electricity. This energy
source can often be more reliable than solar
or wind power (especially if it's tidal rather
than river) and also allows electricity to be
stored for use when demand reaches a peak.
3. Hydro energy
Like wind energy, in certain situations hydro
can be more viable as a commercial energy
source (dependant on type and compared to
other sources of energy) but depending very
much on the type of property, it can be used
for domestic, ‘off-grid’ generation. Find out
more by visiting our hydro power page.
4. Tidal energy
This is another form of hydro energy that
uses twice-daily tidal currents to drive
turbine generators. Although tidal flow
unlike some other hydro energy sources isn’t
constant, it is highly predictable and can
therefore compensate for the periods when
the tide current is low. Find out more by
visiting our marine energy page.
5. Geothermal energy
By harnessing the natural heat below the
earth’s surface, geothermal energy can be
used to heat homes directly or to generate
electricity. Although it harnesses a power
directly below our feet, geothermal energy is
of negligible importance in the UK compared
to countries such as Iceland, where
geothermal heat is much more freely
available.
6. Biomass Energy
This is the conversion of solid fuel made from
plant materials into electricity. Although
fundamentally, biomass involves burning organic
materials to produce electricity, this is not burning
wood, and nowadays this is a much cleaner, more
energy-efficient process. By converting
agricultural, industrial and domestic waste into
solid, liquid and gas fuel, biomass generates
power at a much lower economical and
environmental cost.
What isn’t a renewable energy source?

Fossil fuels are not a renewable source of

energy because they are not infinite. Plus,
they release carbon dioxide into our
atmosphere which contributes to climate
change and global warming.
What isn’t a renewable energy source?
Burning wood instead of coal is slightly
better but it’s complex. On the one hand,
wood is a renewable resource – provided it
comes from sustainably managed forests.
Wood pellets and compressed briquettes are
made from by-products of the wood
processing industry and so arguably it’s
recycling waste.
What isn’t a renewable energy source?
Compressed biomass fuels produce more
energy than logs too. On the other hand,
burning wood (whether it be raw timber or
processed waste) releases particles into our
atmosphere. Burning wood always results in
deforestation and the reduction of natural
habitats so it isn’t a perfect solution.
The future of renewable energy
As world population rises, so does the
demand for energy in order to power our
homes, businesses and
communities. Innovation and expansion of
renewable sources of energy is key to
maintaining a sustainable level of energy
and protect our planet from climate change.
The future of renewable energy
Renewable energy sources make up 26% of
the world’s electricity today, but according
to the International Energy Agency (IEA) its
share is expected to reach 30% by
2024. “This is a pivotal time for renewable
energy,” said the IEA’s executive director,
Fatih Birol.
The future of renewable energy
In 2020, the UK hit a new amazing
renewable energy milestone. On Wednesday
10th June, the country celebrated two
months of running purely on renewable
energy for the first time ever. This is a great
step in the right direction for renewables.
The future of renewable energy
In the future, it’s expected that the number
of renewable energy sources will continue to
increase as we see an increase in demand for
power. This will drive down the price of
renewables – great for the planet, and great
for our wallets.
Low-carbon energy
Nuclear energy isn't renewable but it's low-
carbon, which means its generation emits
low levels of CO2, just like with the above
renewable energy sources. Nuclear energy
has a stable source,
Renewable energy and your home
The advantages of using renewable energy
in a domestic setting are persuasive:
- Cut your electricity bills
- Get paid for the electricity you generate
- Sell electricity back to the grid
- Reduce your carbon footprint
Renewable energy facts
Solar PV could account for 5% of global
demand by 2020 and up to 9% by 2030.

By the year 2050, our energy needs can be

met by 95% renewable energy.
Renewable energy facts
Price Waterhouse Cooper predicts that
Africa could run on 100% renewable energy
by 2050.

Over the last four decades, the price of solar

PV panels has declined 99%.
Renewable energy facts
A US study showed that renewable energy
creates three times more jobs than fossil
fuels

Investment in renewable energy has

surpassed fossil fuel investment. The global
renewable energy market is now worth over
$250 billion