Alternative energy sources, also known as renewable energy sources, are sources of energy that are not based on the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas) and are considered more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Some examples of alternative energy sources include:
- Solar energy: harnessing the energy from the sun through the use of solar panels or concentrated solar power.
- Wind energy: harnessing the energy from the wind through the use of wind turbines.
- Hydroelectric energy: harnessing the energy from falling water through the use of hydroelectric dams.
- Biomass energy: harnessing the energy from organic matter such as wood, crops, and waste through the use of combustion, gasification or fermentation
- Geothermal energy: harnessing the energy from the earth’s interior through the use of geothermal power plants.
- Tidal energy: harnessing energy from the ocean currents and tides through the use of tidal turbines or barrages.
- Wave energy: harnessing energy from ocean waves through the use of wave energy converters.
- Nuclear energy: harnessing energy from the splitting of atoms in nuclear reactions, either through fission or fusion.
- Hydrogen fuel cells: Hydrogen fuel cell technology converts hydrogen fuel into electricity.
All of these alternative energy sources have their own advantages and disadvantages and the suitability of each source depends on the location and resources available.
