1. Renewable Energy - A Welcomed Alternative to Finite Resources
The last few decades brought around new
concepts and a new approach regarding the • Geothermal energy is produced using the
environment and planet Earth. Recently, after the heat from the core of the Earth. While
nuclear plant crisis caused in Japan by a massive building a power station is relatively
earthquake, many countries started to reconsider expensive, maintenance and operating
nuclear energy related policies and questioned the costs are relatively low, making this kind of
very necessity of nuclear power plants. The need energy appealing for suitable sites.
for renewable energy is stronger than ever. Fossil
fuels are non-renewable, their resources are • Biomass. A viable alternative to fossil fuels,
limited and they are environmentally damaging to biomass is a traditional source of fuel and
retrieve. energy. Due to new technologies, biomass
is nowadays a globally dominant source of
Solar thermal energy, wind power, hydropower, energy.
geothermal energy and biomass are all renewable,
abundant sources of energy. These sources are The Sun, winds, rivers and oceans have been here
virtually inexhaustible, and with the constant long before us and will continue to be around long
development of renewable energy technologies, it after we are gone. Relying on infinite sources of
is possible to ensure enough and adequate energy energy, which do not require harming the planet
for all generations to come. while retrieving them, is a noble aspiration. It is
encouraging that many governments recognize
• Solar thermal energy is the energy derived the potential that lies in the use of renewable
from the sun, through solar radiation. We energy and are willing to invest into the research
distinguish active (photovoltaic panels and and development of new technologies.
solar collectors) and passive solar
technologies (building orientation, the use
of special materials that disperse thermal Editor's Note: BPI building analyst training is an
mass and light) depending on the way that important requirement for a BPI certified
solar energy is captured, converted and professional. Click here to find a CleanEdison BPI
distributed in the process. certification class near your area. Learn more
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• Wind power is the energy generated by the CleanEdison's BPI training can help you improve
airflows. The process is CO2 free and, for your home energy auditing. CleanEdison is the
that reason, wind turbines are quickly leading nationwide BPI certification, LEED exam
becoming a popular means of modern prep, solar training center in the USA. Call them
power production in more and more now for free information: 888-513-3476
countries. Offshore areas are exposed to
harsh winds, so these areas present a
great potential as wind power resources.
• Hydropower is power harnessed and used
from water. Water streams, lakes and
oceans can be used as resources for water-
generated energy. Hydropower is not
expensive, but reliable, and it is a non-
polluting renewable energy source.
© 2011, CleanEdison Inc. www.cleanedison.com July 2011 {cmot}