Renewable energy sources are those that are naturally available and replenished. Renewable energy sources include solar, wind, hydro (water), geothermal, Tidal power or ocean wave energy, and biomass. Non-renewable energy sources, such as the combustion of fossil fuels, rely on a limited supply that can be considered non-renewable since they are replenished slowly (or not at all). Because of their finite supply, non-renewable energy sources can become more difficult and costly to extract as their supplies decrease. In addition, recovery of fossil fuels can eventually be damaging to the [[environment], such as in the case of oil drilling and /or mining.
Use of renewable energy sources reduces dependence on fossil fuels, diversifies energy resources, and reduces the emission of greenhouse gases and other pollutants associated with fossil fuels. While there are many benefits to the use of renewable energy sources, many renewable technologies currently remain prohibitively expensive compared to non-renewable fuels, at least as they are valued within the economic markets of today. In order for such energy sources to gain more widespread use, technologies must be advanced such that the cost of renewable energy sources becomes competitive with conventional energy sources. Widespread adoption of renewable enegy sources will also benefit from economic markets that place a true cost of using non-renewable energy sources (such as environmental damage or cleanup required) on the user and not on society as a whole.
Current usage of renewable energy
In 2004, renewable energy sources (renewables) constituted 13.1% of the world’s primary energy supply. 79.4% of total renewables came from combustible material, mostly biomass. Hydropower was the second most important renewable energy source, contributing to 16.7% of total renewables. Renewable energy sources are becoming increasingly important in the world’s electricity supply as well. In 2004, renewables contributed to 18% of global electricity, the third largest source after coal and natural gas. Almost 90% of renewable electricity comes from hydropower plants.
During the period from 1971 to 2004, the total primary energy supply increased by 2.2% per year, with comparable growth (2.3% per year) in renewables. The largest increases in energy supply were from wind (48.1% per year) and solar (28.1% per year) power.
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