Is There Really Such a Thing as Renewable Energy?
Yes, there is such a thing as renewable energy. Renewable energy is defined both politically and socially as a category of energy sources. These sources include anything that is naturally and continuously capturing and replenishing energy. For example rain, sunlight, wind, biomass, waves/tides, and geothermal heat. You may be thinking “hmmm, what is biomass and geothermal mass?” Biomass is an organic matter that can include biological materials from recently living or currently living organisms. Examples of biomass include: wood, waste, and alcohol fuels. Geothermal heat is the energy that is created and stored in the Earth.
What about Solar Energy?
Sunlight is considered a natural energy source so of course solar energy is renewable! In fact, solar energy is perhaps the most significant source of renewable energy available to us today. Just think about all those beautiful flowers and lovely shade trees we are blessed with. They use solar energy daily in order to grow. To learn more about what solar energy is, please see “What is Solar Energy”.
Renewable Energy Sources
Above a definition of renewable energy was provided as well as what sources are or could be considered renewable energy. Below, is a chart breaking each source down into what is used to provide energy and how it is generated.
Renewable Energy Sources List
| Energy Source | What is used | How it generates energy |
| Tidal Power | Tidal stream generators or Barrage generation | Stream generators are very similar to wind turbines. These generators rotate underwater (due to the current) and create energy. |
| Hydroelectricity | Gravitational force | Energy is produced through a gravitation force of flowing and/or falling water. |
| Wave Power | Wave energy converters (including a buoy) | The buoy device is used to generate electricity through a snaking motion or mechanical movements from the waves. This electricity is then captured and transmitted to the shore. |
| Wind Power | Wind turbines | Turbines take the winds power and convert it into wind energy |
| Solar Power | Photovoltaic (PV) cells | Used to capture the suns light and heat in order to create electricity. |
| Geothermal Power | Earth | Heated water’s steam triggers turbines which create electricity. |
| Radiant Energy | Fractionation | Gathered directly from the environment and/or extracted from ordinary electricity. |
| Biomass | Plant matter | When plants are living they store the sunlight’s energy. When this plant matter is then burned the stored energy is released as heat. |
Each renewable energy source varies slightly, some being more popular than others but in the end they are all environmental friendly and gaining popularity as the years progress.
Why Is Renewable Energy Important?
Renewable energy is environmental friendly and a clean source of energy. Seeing as renewable energy comes from natural sources that are provided to us, these sources of energy will never run out (or at least not during our time). Systems that use renewable energy are also normally local investments that support you and your community.
With the increase in popularity, people begin to turn to solar energy societies for guidance which help promote the use of solar power and renewable energy in order to help spread the word of new interests, research, and education. Below the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) and the German Solar Energy Society (GDS) are discussed.
International Solar Energy Society
As a global organization that was formed in 1954, the ISES promotes the utilization and development of renewable energy. The ISES is an un-accredited non-government organization active in more than 110 countries with its main headquarters located in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. The organization aims to grab the public’s attention and make them aware of recent developments of solar energy applications and research. The ISES’s ultimate goal is to work towards a renewable energy world. Through the year this organization holds events were members from around the world can connect with one another while learning about the latest and greatest solar research and developments.
German Solar Energy Society
Found in 1975 the German Solar Energy Society’s (DGS) promotes and educates on current research pertaining to renewable energy usage. The DGS mainly focuses on solar thermal and small scale biomass heating and combined heat and power (CHP) as well as solar and biomass with photovoltaic’s (PV). DGS is a non-governmental charity based organization with headquarters located in Munich, Germany. The DGS also offers a free weekly newsletter to the German speaking population (via their website) to keep the public, professionals, and investors up-to-date on the latest research, technical standards, consumer protection issues, and promotion. Within this society 15% of members are made up of companies or institutes meaning that 75% of members are individuals like yourself.
Each of these societies along with other solar power societies around the world, welcome individuals to jo.in them as well as interested institutes and companies. Membership to these societies is can be as low as approximately 40 euro’s per year depending on where you live and which type of membership you would like.
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