Renewable energy is useful energy that is collected from renewable resources, which are naturally replenished on a human timescale, including carbon neutral sources like sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat.
Unlike natural gas and coal, we can’t store up wind and sunshine to use when we need to make more electricity. If the wind doesn’t blow or the sun hides behind clouds, there sometimes isn’t enough power for everyone. Another reason we use fossil fuels, like coal and natural gas, is because they’re cheaper. It costs more money to make electricity from wind or sun.
Renewable energy sources are all around us. It is in the wind that blows, the shining sun, the flowing water and even the growing grass. We interact with sources of renewable energy every day. Let’s dig a little deeper and see what that’s all about.