Ranting and Raving about Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is not a new concept. While itthe water flow is captured and used to power a
may appear to be a rather fashionable topic ofturbine. The turbine then generates a supplementary
conversation in certain circles, renewable energyform of electricity. Tidal power attempts to make
initiatives have been with us since the dawn of man.use of the natural energy potential of tidal activity in
There is some debate about the accepted definitionthe oceans and seas. In simple terms, the high tide is
of renewable energy, but it can be loosely defined ascaptured and fed through a turbine to generate
a form of energy that is essentially inexhaustible.electricity. Ocean thermal energy conversion
Furthermore, the resource is continually replenishedattempts to exploit the variances in water
by various natural processes identifiable in the naturaltemperature, from the warmer surface water to the
world.cooler deep water, resulting in a cyclic heat engine.
One key distinction to make when discussing theWind power is one of the oldest accepted forms of
concept of renewable energy is that of sustainability.renewable energy. It has been used for centuries as
One could make the argument that, in the long term,a source of power, dating back to the creation of
fossil fuels are a renewable energy resource. Whilethe sailboat. The innate potential of wind power was
the logic stands on its own, this is a failed notion. Therealized a number of years later in the form of a
central difference between fossil fuels and otherwind mill. In this instance, the kinetic energy of wind is
forms of renewable energy is that fossil fuels areused to drive a turbine which, in turn, generates
being depleted at a rate faster than they can beelectricity. Wind energy possesses immense potential
replenished. For this reason, fossil fuels cannot befor sustainable energy generation, and a number of
considered truly renewable. They are simply notlarge-scale development projects are currently
sustainable, due to the accelerated rate ofunderway throughout the world.
consumption.One of the greatest challenges facing humanity is to
Some of the more popular renewable energydiscover a way to reduce our reliance on
resources include sunshine, water, and wind. Solarunsustainable resources, like fossil fuels. Most, if not
energy refers to the energy that is collected fromall, modern industrial societies rely far too greatly on
sunlight. This form of energy is captured using afossil fuels and increasingly, this is becoming an
photovoltaic array, more commonly known as a solarundeniable reality. Wars of conquest are being waged
panel. The solar radiation is captured by theto secure what is left of the world's oil reserves. If
photovoltaic array and converted to direct currentonly the resources of the powerful nations were
(DC) electricity. From there, the direct currentchanneled into developing sustainable energy
electricity must be converted to alternating currentalternatives, as opposed to driving a war machine
(AC) for use in most applications. The convertedbent on dominating the oil markets. Our modern way
electricity is then stored in a battery for use at aof life is going to undergo some difficult times in the
later date.very near future, if this reality continues to be
There are also various forms of energy that exist inignored. Ask yourself what you can do to make a
water. One of the most commonly acknowledged isdifference. You might be surprised at what you can
that of hydroelectric energy, but there are a numberaccomplish.Jim Fritz is a committed environmentalist,
of others including tidal power and ocean thermaland a life long member of various environmental
energy conversion. Hydroelectric energy generallyorganizations. He is also a member of the editorial
employs the use of a dam, wherein the energy ofteam at thesolarguide.