Renewable Resources
Renewable resources are available in all regions of the world, with wood being one of the most important. Forestry provides wood as a renewable resource. Plants are the major source of renewable resources, including energy crops and non-food crops. The resulting products include a variety of lubricants, industrially used vegetable oils, textiles, paper, and bioplastic. Sugar, starch, and other animal products are used to produce ethanol and technical fat.
The quality of a renewable resource can be assessed by a government-conducted resource assessment, or by private-sector feasibility studies. For example, hydroelectric resources are linked to surface water rights, and the legal issues that arise are similar to those faced with petroleum. Solar and wind energy, on the other hand, rely on free resources. Their main issue is surface land. However, newer designs of wind turbines are much quieter, which has made them more desirable.
In addition to solar and wind energy, some renewable resources are not readily available. For example, solar energy requires surface land, which is free and varies by season and location. Furthermore, the amount of sun is not consistent, and the intensity of sunlight varies. In some areas, there is a higher amount of sun than others, and solar energy is more expensive. But it can make up for these disadvantages with more efficient equipment. But there are a number of ways to increase the efficiency of renewables.
Another concern with renewable energy is its intermittent nature. Despite the availability of solar and wind energy, the resources are unpredictable, and the ability to store them has improved considerably. Today, some batteries are capable of storing 100 megawatts of energy, which is the equivalent of 100,000 kilowatt-hours. Nevertheless, the average U.S. household consumes only 877 kWh per month. The latest designs of wind turbines are more quiet and do not interfere with the quality of air.
In addition to solar and wind energy, renewable resources are used in a variety of other applications. Buildings are made of wood and minerals, while most of our clothing is made of cotton and polyester. Other materials are made from oil and plastics. In addition, people consume grains and fruits, and they also eat meat and dairy products. All of these products are made with natural resources. The next time you need to purchase an item, make sure to consider the type of renewable resources it is best to use.
As a result, the term renewable resources has many meanings. Some of them are natural but limited. Examples include biomass, geothermal, hydro, wind, and ocean thermal resources. Some of these resources are renewable because they will return to their original stock levels. Some are conditionally renewable because they can’t regenerate once they’ve been exploited. In such cases, renewables are not as efficient as fossil fuels, but they do have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are key to energy security.
In addition to solar energy, renewable resources include biomass and geothermal energy. These are both abundant and plentiful. A renewable resource, such as a forest, can be harvested and converted into electricity, heat, and chemicals. Its abundance in a particular region can be harnessed for a variety of purposes, including heating a building, heating water, and creating electricity. The production of these materials can be a valuable source of heat and power, as long as it is not consumed for human consumption.
For geothermal energy, a government may require mining, processing, and reinjection of the heat. Such methods of extraction require unique laws. Because geothermal energy is not extracted like water, it is difficult to develop without the proper permits. This means that renewable energy projects can help reduce global warming and pollution, and provide jobs for local communities. In addition to these, other types of biomass are used to make a variety of other materials, including food and fuel.
The exploitation of renewable resources is often controversial, largely due to their unpredictable nature. It is often difficult to predict the future value of a given resource and its varying price. But new technologies have made renewable energy sources more reliable. Some of them have the capacity to store 100 megawatts of energy, which is equivalent to around a million kWh per month. In addition to solar and wind energy, they are also free sources of energy.
