The term "renewable energy source" refers to energy that is both sustainable and infinite, such as the sun. When the word "alternative energy" is used, it usually refers to renewable energy sources as well. It refers to energy sources that are not as non-sustainable as the most regularly utilized non-sustainable sources, such as coal.

Here are some of the most popular renewable energy sources today. 

1. Solar Power

The power of the sun is the first stop on this renewable energy lesson plan. One of the planet's most abundant and readily available energy sources is sunlight. The quantity of solar energy that touches the earth's surface in a single hour is sufficient to meet the planet's whole annual energy requirements. Although solar energy looks to be an ideal renewable energy source, the amount of solar energy possible depends on the time of day, the season of the year,  and geographic location. Solar energy is becoming a more common alternative to supplement your energy usage in the United States.

2. Wind Energy

Wind is a plentiful source of environmentally friendly electricity. Wind farms are becoming more common worldwide, as wind power contributes more and more to the National Grids. Turbines are used to drive generators, which consequently feed electricity into the National Grid, allowing wind energy to be harnessed. Despite the availability of household or "off-grid" generation solutions, not every property is appropriate for a domestic wind turbine. Combined with solar, wind power can supply most if not all of a country's energy needs. 

3. Water Power

Hydropower is one of the most commercially developed renewable energy sources. By creating a dam or barrier, a large reservoir can be used to create a controlled flow of water that will turn a turbine and generate power. This energy source is frequently more reliable than solar or wind power (especially if it is tidal rather than river-based), and it also allows electricity to be stored for use when demand peaks. Hydro, like wind energy, can be more practical as a commercial energy source in some instances (depending on the kind and compared to other sources of energy), but it can also be utilized for domestic, off-grid generating depending on the type of property.

4. Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy can be utilized to heat homes or create electricity by utilizing the natural heat beneath the earth's surface. Geothermal energy, despite harnessing a power lying beneath your feet, is of moderate importance in the US as compared to nations like Iceland, where geothermal heat is much more freely available.

5. Tidal Energy

Another type of hydro energy is tidal energy, which employs twice-daily tidal currents to power turbine turbines. Although tidal flow is not constant, it is highly predictable and can thus compensate for periods when the tide current is low, unlike some other hydro energy sources. 

6. Biomass Energy

This is the process of turning plant-based solid fuel into energy. Although biomass is primarily a technique of burning organic materials to generate electricity, it is now a much cleaner and more energy-efficient process. Biomass creates power at a far lower economic and environmental cost by converting agricultural, industrial, and home waste into solid, liquid, and gas fuel.

7. Hydrogen

Because hydrogen does not exist naturally as a gas, it must be mixed with other elements such as oxygen to form water. Hydrogen can be utilized for both fuel and energy when it is separated from another element.

Hydrogen is a clean-burning fuel, resulting in less pollution and a cleaner environment. It can also be used to power electric motors with fuel cells, which are similar to batteries.

Renewable energy is an exciting and critical component of humanity's future. Recent and continuing advances in this field should bring the technology into wide use soon. 

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