Friday, February 27, 2009

Most Common Types Of Home Renewable Energy

By Daniel Shermann

What is home renewable energy? In simple terms, home renewable energy is derived from natural sources, which, in turn, is easily replenished over a short amount of time. Nonrenewable energy, on the other hand, is obtained from limited natural resources. A good example of a nonrenewable energy source that is unfortunately irrevocably diminishing is fossil fuel (coal, petroleum, and natural gases) as demonstrated by inflation of prices.

There are four types of renewable energy all of which are directly or indirectly associated with the sun:

1. The Solar Energy - Solar energy is defined as the radiant energy generated from the sun. The intensity of solar energy reaching the earth's surface depends on several factors namely: day of the year, time of day, and collection point. Solar energy quantity, on the other hand, relies on the location of the collecting medium.

The two subtypes of solar energy are thermal and light. Solar thermal energy is derived directly from the heat of the sun and is used in warming residential waters and pools. Solar light energy is generated from sunlight and is converted by solar power units (photovoltaic or solar cells) to electricity and is used to power homes and commercial establishments. Electricity conversion occurs through semiconductor materials such as mono- and multi-crystalline silicones.

Photovoltaic cell production was greatest in Europe, Japan, China, Taiwan, and the United States in 2007. The silicon manufacturing industry also displays similar production growth as more silicon plants start to emerge.

2. Energy from Wind - Wind energy relies on wind turbine generators (windmills) in producing home renewable energy. When the wind hits the blades, it is then converted into a rotating power of the shaft. This rotating force is subsequently transformed into electricity via generator. In 2007, wind power energy technology increased more than any of the four renewable energies. Wind farms, collective term for numerous wind turbine generators arranged in rows, usually only seen nearby seashores have started to emerge in off-shore locations. The biggest wind farm in the world is found in California while the biggest wind turbine generator is located in the island of Hawaii.

3. The Geothermal Energy - Geothermal energy is derived from the steam trapped beneath the earth. When brought into the surface through drilling, the now released steam is able to drive a turbine to generate electricity. Another source for geothermal heat is the heating of water with deep hot rocks.

4. Biomatter or Biomass - Biomass energy comes in different forms like alcohol fuels, animal waste or dung, and wood. Biomass or biomatter comes in either liquid or solid forms. Liquid biofuel is produced when biomass is burned using internal combustion engines or boilers. Solid biomass is employed directly as combustible fuel.

The increasing worldwide demand for commercial and home renewable energy has opened thousands of employment positions. Renewable energy production is far more labor intensive compared to conventional energy production like fossil fuels. The wind energy sector alone holds approximately 300,000 workers while photovoltaic manufacturing industries employ 170,000 employees. The solar thermal energy industry has an impressive 600,000 employees. However, it is the biomass sector that ranks number one with over 1 million workers.

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