Different energy sources supply us with the power we need to live and work. Geothermal, solar, wind and biomass are just a few of the sources. These sources are not just a major source for electricity, but they can also be used to heat or transport. The main challenge with these sources of energy is that they can cause greenhouse gas emissions when used to produce electricity. This results in the need for more environmentally sustainable energy sources.

The most widely used type of energy is web link fossil fuels, made up of coal oil, natural gas. They were formed millions of year ago when prehistoric animals and plants died and were buried under layers of sedimentary rocks. When the conditions were right they were gradually transformed into carbon-rich compounds which, when ignited create energy. These fossil fuels cannot be recycled because they will run out in our lifetimes or in a number of lifetimes.

Renewable energy sources are continuously replenished. The primary renewable energy source is sunlight, which produces warmth and light. It is used to power our homes and businesses as well as to drive our cars. Wind is a different renewable energy source that generates electricity through spinning turbines. Since the first time people realized how to harness the wind, we have been using it for millennia. In the end, we employ biological processes to create alcohol (a clear alcohol that can be used to create fuel) from waste and crop residues.

Hydropower is the most important renewable energy source in the US, but biofuels and winds will soon take over. Hydropower is based on nature’s water cycle to harness the power of rapid-flowing water, which is then used to generate electricity.