RESEARCH
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SOURCES OF AMBIENT ENERGY
ENERGY TYPES NATURAL solar wind hydro wave gravity geothermal
HUMAN-MADE light thermal kinetic sound piezoelectric electromagnetic
Figure 3.1 Examples of natural and man-made energy types.
The two areas of potential energy sources for harvesting, natural and human-made are both considered renewable. Natural energy harvesting sources are derived from the outputs of the earth while human-made sources are produced by objects or interactions of humans. While the majority of natural energy is largescale, there are growing efforts in which these sources are used on a smaller individual scale. Human-made energy harvesting sources are more efficient on a decentralized local level. While both have great potential for disruptive change within the energy industry, my focus is harvesting on the individual level, therefore human-made energy sources are the most applicable for this work.
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