Renewable energy is energy derived from natural processes that are replenished at a rate that is equal to or faster than the rate at which they are consumed.
There are various forms of renewable energy, deriving directly or indirectly from the sun, or from heat generated deep within the earth.
Renewable energy forms include energy generated from solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower and ocean resources, solid biomass, biogas and liquid biofuels. Biomass, however, is a renewable resource only if its rate of consumption does not exceed its rate of regeneration.
Currently the effectiveness of renewable energy depends upon the resource being used. Some renewable sources are more readily available and effective than others, while some, such as geothermal are of great use in some locations and not in others due to accessibility.
However, despite these challenges, renewable energy has the potential to reduce electricity sector emissions by around 80%.
Climate change, in addition to fluctuations in oil prices, dwindling supplies of fossil fuels, and lack of job opportunities are some of the reasons behind the growing use of renewable energy, which is expected to soon lead the world energy market.
Many experts in this field believe the key to keeping the renewable energy movement advancing is by building a culture of renewables.
Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) projected that 10% of global generated capacity will come from small-scale solar PV by 2040. It also expects that by the same year, 25% of all car fleets will be electric vehicles.
To reach these numbers, renewable energy activists believe it’s critical to continue raising awareness at the grassroots level through education, media, civil society organizations and most importantly, by introducing programs that guarantee inclusion.
Want to learn more? Tonex offers courses in Renewable Energy, such as
—Fundamentals of Biofuels (2 days)
–Renewable Energy Certificate (4 days)
Participants learn how renewable energy is produced and managed. Unlike fossil fuels and nonrenewable sources (oil and petroleum products, gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, hydrocarbon gas liquids, natural gas, coal and nuclear), which are finite, renewable energy sources regenerate.