•Renewable energy resources are
the sources that can
be replaced / generated at the same
rate that they are being utilised.
• Biomass is organic material made from plants and animals.
• Some examples of biomass fuels are wood, crops, manure, and some waste.
• When burned, the chemical energy in biomass is released as heat.
• Biomass can be converted into other usable forms of energy like methane gas or transportation fuels like ethanol.
• Largest source of electricity from renewable sources.
• Needs guaranteed supply of water.
• Kinetic energy of water rotates turbines which generate electricity.
• geothermal energy is heat from within the earth.
• We can use the steam and hot water produced inside the earth to heat buildings or generate electricity.
• Each wind turbine can produce between 1/4 and 2 MW of electrical power.
• Wind farm needs to be located where there is high wind speed.
• Solar energy is the sun’s rays (solar radiation) that reach the earth.
• Solar energy can be converted into electricity in two ways:
• Photovoltaic (PV devices) or “solar cells” – change sunlight directly into electricity.
• Solar Power Plants - indirectly generate electricity when the heat from solar thermal collectors is used to heat a fluid which produces steam that is used to power generator.
• There are no waste products, and do not pollute the water or the air.
• The amount of sunlight that arrives at the earth's surface is not constant.
• large surface area is required to collect the energy at a useful rate.
• Require a lot of investments ; more expensive than oil and gas.
• Oman has a good opportunity to use solar energy because it has a large sun shine.
• More research should be done to reduce the cost of renewable energy uses.
• Householders have to use solar energy to reduce the electricity ills at homes.
www.offshorewindfarms.co.ukwww.britishwindenergy.co.uk
www.energy-efficiency.gov.ukwww.guardian.co.uk/renewables