Marcel Kooter
DEFINING RENEWABLE ENERGY
Professional
Defining Renewable Energy Renewable energy can be def ined as a source of energy that is constantly replenished and therefore cannot be used up. Fossil fuels are not renewable as they are f inite; energy that comes f rom sources such as sunlight or the wind will never run out, even though they may not always be available.
Issues such as climate change have made humans begin to look at alternatives to ‘dirty’ fossil fuels, which include renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal, wind, biomass and hydro power.
Harnessing the Power of Nature
Expanding Renewables
While the term ‘renewable energy’ may be a relatively modern invention, harnessing the power of nature to power things has been a practice that humans have engaged in for centuries. Long before we began mining for coal or fracking for gas, we had sailboats and windmills. It is only in the past half century or so that humans have relied more on fossil fuels, which were lauded for being cheaper and more effective.
Issues such as climate change have made humans begin to look at alternatives to ‘dirty’ fossil fuels, which include renewable energy sources such as solar, geothermal, wind, biomass and hydro power. The more investment we put into harnessing renewables, the cheaper and more efficient they will become. The expansion into renewables is happening on both small and large scales, from individual homes installing solar panels to giant wind farms powering corporations.
Marcel Kooter
You can learn more about the energy transition by visiting the blog of Marcel Kooter.