A large field of rapeseed, which is used to make biofuel.
Many sustainable energy sources are being used to power people around the world. Wind and water movement are often used as sustainable energy sources, as is heat from geothermal sources and sunlight. Biofuels are also replacing unsustainable fossil fuels that many people rely on for most of their energy needs. Engineers and scientists are developing technologies that can harness previously untapped sources of sustainable energy, such as ocean waves and tides.
Onshore wind farm.
Water has been used for centuries to provide energy. One of the earliest types of green power plants was the hydroelectric dam, some of which have been in continuous use for more than 100 years. Dams produce energy by allowing water to fall from an elevated reservoir through a series of turbines that can collect and transmit the energy to a power plant. Engineers are also developing ways to use the movement of ocean tides and waves to harvest energy. While sustainable energy sources using ocean energy are still in the development stage, the vast amounts of energy in the ocean could make it an excellent energy source in the future.
A ship passing through a lock at the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric plant, a source of sustainable energy.
The sun is one of the most widely used sustainable energy sources. Solar panels use photosensitive cells to collect and generate energy from solar radiation. The main disadvantage of this power source is that the energy can only be harvested when it is sunny. Advances in solar technology allow energy to be absorbed in part from the sun and stored in batteries so that the energy can be used when the sun is not shining.
Hydroelectric power generating stations, such as the Hoover Dam, provide sustainable energy.
Geothermal and wind energy are two sources of sustainable energy that have been used for several decades. Wind farms are quite common in many parts of the world where the wind can push blades connected to energy harvesting turbines. Geothermal energy uses the heat that escapes from the Earth’s core as a source of energy. Its main limitation is that it can only be used in areas with volcanic activity.
Solar panels use energy from the sun, making them a sustainable energy source.
Another sustainable energy source is biofuel. These fuels are being designed to replace fossil fuels, which people consume faster than they can be replenished. Biofuels are extracted from plants, either as a by-product of food crops or as a main product of fuel crops.