Renewable energy is a type of process where energy is always being made and transferred by natural resources. Energy such as solar, wind power, hydroelectric energy, biomass, and Renewable energy can also be known as "clean energy" or "green power." Although this type of energy process is more expensive than coal and natural gas, it is more eco-friendly and doesn't pollute the air like fossil fuel with the waste product of carbon.
Solar Energy
Solar energy is harvesting energy from the sun light and heat for electricity. Getting electric from sun light are produced by photovoltaics cells/solar cells. The main components that people use are solar panels to harvest and store the energy. Although solar panels may be expensive, it accumulates over the years and you will get money back from the government. Most solar panels are found on top of houses, parking lots, and mostly found in hot and sunny places such as Las Vegas.
Wind power
Getting energy by wind is harvested by wind turbines. Wind turbines usually work where the winds are really high such as on mountains. Some are also located in the ocean in other places other than the United States. Wind turbines aren't only used for wind harvesting, they were also used for pumping water, ground grain(grain that is grounded up into flour), etc. Wind power comes from the wind on the earth and then is converted to mechanical energy, then to electricity. Wind power is an advantage because it does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
Hydroelectric energy
This type of energy is produced by moving water. This moving water can be from a dam in a lake or a stream of flowing water. Back then, people would build turbines which had wheels next to a source of water which are known as water mills, but that wasn't use to harvest energy, it was used to make food (grind grains to flour). Now this method that was used before is now used to harvest energy/electricity. The advantage to hydroelectric energy is that it is clean, renewable because of the water cycle, and safe for the environment. A disadvantage for this source is that it causes people to migrate somewhere else because it can cause flooding.
Biomass/bioenergy
Energy and heat is harvested by natural resources. Such as burning wood for a campfire, plants, animals, even the waste product, manure. Biomass energy technology include biofuels for transportation, bio-power (burning gas/oil for electricity), and bio-products (converting biomass into chemicals that are usually made from petroleum). Bioenergy usually comes from forests, agriculture, and wastes. It is harvested by releasing the energy directly, for example, burning biomass (trees) or converting other forms into solid or liquid fuel. The disadvantage for this process is the release of carbon emissions.
Geothermal
This energy is found by stored energy under the earth. Geothermal can be used in schools and homes to heat and cool down the temperatures. This process is processed by extracting hot water underground by using steam. This cools down the earth by having hot air rise and cooler air from the atmosphere to move down to the earths surface. When it rains, some of the rain enters cracks on the earth and boils the water to high temperatures. This creates hot springs and geysers. Advantages to geothermal energy is that it is environmental safe, continuous/constant power, reduces pollution, and can be used in different forms such as hot water to heat up buildings.
Energy usage
State usage
USA usage
Worldwide usage
Other renewable energy reports:
Sources
http://www.altenergy.org/renewables/renewables.html
http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/energy/what
http://www.alliantenergykids.com/EnergyandTheEnvironment/RenewableEnergy/000625
http://arena.gov.au/about-renewable-energy/
http://www.awea.org/Resources/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=900
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/encyclopedia/hydroelectric-energy/
http://www.wgbn.wisc.edu/producers/bioenergy-101
http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/geo1.htm
http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/energy/what
http://www.alliantenergykids.com/EnergyandTheEnvironment/RenewableEnergy/000625
http://arena.gov.au/about-renewable-energy/
http://www.awea.org/Resources/Content.aspx?ItemNumber=900
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/encyclopedia/hydroelectric-energy/
http://www.wgbn.wisc.edu/producers/bioenergy-101
http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/geo1.htm