ENERGY SOURCES | Energy types include both the categories we use to group energy sources (like fossil fuels, alternatives, and renewables) and the resources we derive energy from (like oil, solar, and nuclear). Each type of energy has unique characteristics and requires different technologies to convert it from a raw resource to a usable form of energy.
PRODUCTION & CONVERSION | Broadly, this refers to the “energy sector” or the various processes and technologies involved in extracting, processing, transporting, storing, and converting resources into usable forms of energy.
FORMS OF ENERGY | Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it simply changes form. Forms of energy refer to the states energy has been converted to so that it can be efficiently utilized for its end use, for example electricity or liquid fuels.
ENERGY USES | This refers to the end-uses society requires of energy. We don't care about a barrel of oil; we want transportation. We don't care about solar panels; we want electricity to power our lives. We all use energy to fulfill our basic human needs as it enables progress, productivity and quality of life.
Energy sources that are not depleted when used or are naturally replenished within a human lifetime.
Renewable Energy
Definition
Renewable energy is energy produced from sources that do not deplete or can be replenished within a human’s life time. The most common examples include wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and hydropower[1]. This is in contrast to non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels.
Most renewable energy is derived directly or indirectly from the sun. Sunlight can be captured directly using solar technologies. The sun's heat drives winds, whose energy is captured with turbines. Plants also rely on the sun to grow and their stored energy can be utilized for bioenergy. [2]Types of Renewable Energy”. Renewable Energy World.com http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/homeTypes of Renewable Energy”. Renewable Energy World.com http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/homeTypes of Renewable Energy”. Renewable Energy World.com http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/homeTypes of Renewable Energy”. Renewable Energy World.com http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/homeTypes of Renewable Energy”. Renewable Energy World.com http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/homeTypes of Renewable Energy”. Renewable Energy World.com http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/homeTypes of Renewable Energy”. Renewable Energy World.com http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/homeTypes of Renewable Energy”. Renewable Energy World.com http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/homeTypes of Renewable Energy”. Renewable Energy World.com http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/homeTypes of Renewable Energy”. Renewable Energy World.com http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/homeTypes of Renewable Energy”. Renewable Energy World.com http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/homeTypes of Renewable Energy”. Renewable Energy World.com http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/homeTypes of Renewable Energy”. Renewable Energy World.com http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/tech/home
Not all renewable energy sources rely on the sun. For example, geothermal energy utilizes the Earth’s internal heat, tidal energy relies on the gravitational pull of the moon, and hydropower relies on the flow of water.
Context
Renewable energy accounts for 13.5% of the world’s total energy supply, and 22% of the world's electricity [3]IEA FAQ http://www.iea.org/aboutus/faqs/renewableenergy/IEA FAQ http://www.iea.org/aboutus/faqs/renewableenergy/IEA FAQ http://www.iea.org/aboutus/faqs/renewableenergy/IEA FAQ http://www.iea.org/aboutus/faqs/renewableenergy/IEA FAQ http://www.iea.org/aboutus/faqs/renewableenergy/IEA FAQ http://www.iea.org/aboutus/faqs/renewableenergy/IEA FAQ http://www.iea.org/aboutus/faqs/renewableenergy/IEA FAQ http://www.iea.org/aboutus/faqs/renewableenergy/IEA FAQ http://www.iea.org/aboutus/faqs/renewableenergy/IEA FAQ http://www.iea.org/aboutus/faqs/renewableenergy/IEA FAQ http://www.iea.org/aboutus/faqs/renewableenergy/.
It is important to note that the terms ‘renewable energy’, ‘green energy’ and ‘clean energy’ are not interchangeable in all cases; for example, a ‘clean’ coal plant is simply a coal plant with emissions reduction technology. The coal plant itself is still not a ‘renewable energy’ source. ‘Green energy’ is a subset of renewable energy, which boasts low or zero emissions and low environmental impacts to systems such as land and water[1]United States Environmental Protection Agency (2014). Green Power Defined. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/gpmarket/United States Environmental Protection Agency (2014). Green Power Defined. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/gpmarket/United States Environmental Protection Agency (2014). Green Power Defined. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/gpmarket/United States Environmental Protection Agency (2014). Green Power Defined. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/gpmarket/United States Environmental Protection Agency (2014). Green Power Defined. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/gpmarket/United States Environmental Protection Agency (2014). Green Power Defined. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/gpmarket/United States Environmental Protection Agency (2014). Green Power Defined. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/gpmarket/United States Environmental Protection Agency (2014). Green Power Defined. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/gpmarket/United States Environmental Protection Agency (2014). Green Power Defined. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/gpmarket/United States Environmental Protection Agency (2014). Green Power Defined. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/gpmarket/United States Environmental Protection Agency (2014). Green Power Defined. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/gpmarket/United States Environmental Protection Agency (2014). Green Power Defined. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/gpmarket/.
On Tuesday, May 19th, Student Energy will be speaking at the UN’s prestigious SE4ALL Forum in New York City. This is the second year that Student Energy has been invited to participate in this prestigious forum and we will be hosting a dynamic panel session called “Rising Tide: Harnessing the Power of Youth”.
