This document provides an overview of common types of renewable energy, including solar, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric energy. Solar energy harnesses the sun's energy either directly through solar heating or by converting sunlight to electricity via photovoltaic cells. Wind energy uses wind turbines to generate mechanical and electrical power from air flow. Geothermal energy extracts heat from underground to produce steam and generate electricity. Hydroelectric energy captures the kinetic energy of moving water in dams to power turbines and generate electricity.

1. Common Types of
Renewable Energy
A quick look into alternative energy sources

2. Solar Energy
 Energy produced by the sun.
 By harnessing the energy received by
the sun, we can generate power and
provide a cleaner environment.
 Solar Energy has gained much popularity
in the past decade and is considered an
effective alternative to fossil fuels and
natural gases.
Distribution of Solar Energy
 Growth in technology has also allowed for
easier and more effective methods for using
solar energy.
 Decreasing prices are making it possible for
more uses of solar energy

3. Harnessing Solar Energy
There two common ways to harness the sun’s energy
Solar water heating
 Solar energy is used directly to
generate heat.
 Heat is trapped by solar panels and
is used to heat the water in the
glass panels.
Photoelectric cells
 Converts the sun’s energy into
electricity
 Absorbs sun’s light and produces s
currents by causing electrons to
move.

4. Wind Energy
 Using the wind to generate electricity.
 Air flow is used on wind turbines to
produce mechanical and electrical power.
 The turbines serve as generators that
produce power when they start to spin.
 It is one of the cleanest and most
sustainable ways to generate electricity.
 According to the Global Wind Energy
Council Wind energy is the fastest growing
source of electricity in the world. In 2012,
nearly 45,000 megawatts of new capacity
were installed worldwide.

5. A look inside a turbine
Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory Growth of Wind Turbines
Source: SBC Energy Institute

6. Geothermal Energy
 Energy harnessed from beneath the earth.
 Water is boiled at about 10,000 meters below ground, where the
temperature is high due to the molten core of the earth.
 How it works
 Steam is produced by the water
and captured by geothermal heat
pumps.
 The steam turns the turbines
activating generators.

7. Hydroelectric Energy
 Energy captured by the movement of water
 It is clean, renewable, predictable, and easy to control
 How it works:
 Hydroelectric power stations capture kinetic energy of moving water and give mechanical
energy to turbines. Source: ucsusa
 Through generators, the
mechanical energy is converted
into electrical energy
 Dams are used in this process