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https://www.energy.gov/eere/water/hydropower-basics#:~:text=Hydropower%2C%20or%20hydroelectric%20power%2C%20is,of%20total%20U.S.%20electricity%20generation.

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What is Hydropower?

Hydropower, or hydroelectric power, is one of the oldest and largest sources of renewable energy, which uses the natural flow of moving water to generate electricity. Hydropower currently accounts for 31.5% of total U.S. renewable electricity generation and about 6.3% of total U.S. electricity generation.

While most people might associate the energy source with the Hoover Dam-a huge facility harnessing the power of an entire river behind its wall- hydropower facilities come in all sizes. Some may be very large, but they can be tiny, too, taking advantage of water flows in municipal water facilities or irrigation ditches. They can even be "damless," with diversions or run-of-river facilities that channel part of a stream through a powerhouse before the water rejoins the main river. Whatever the method, hydropower is much easier to obtain and more widely used than most people realize. In fact, all but two states (Delaware and Mississippi) use hydropower for electricity, some more than others. For example, in 2020 about 66% of the state of Washington's electricity came from hydropower.

How Does Hydropower Work?

Hydropower technologies generate power by using the elevation difference, created by a dam or diversion structure, of water flowing in on one side and out, far below, on the other. The Department of Energy's "Hydropower 101" video explains how hydropower works and highlights some of the research and development efforts of the Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) in this area.

What is the cost of Hydropower?

Hydropower is an affordable source of electricity that costs less than most. Since hydropower relies only on the energy from moving water, states that get the majority of their electricity from hydropower, like Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, have lower energy bills than the rest of the country.

Compared to other electricity sources, hydropower also has relatively low costs throughout the duration of a full project lifetime in terms of maintenance, operations, and fuel. Like any major energy source, significant upfront costs are unavoidable, but hydropower's longer lifespan spreads these costs out over time. Additionally, the equipment used at hydropower facilities often operates for longer periods of time without needing replacements or repairs, saving money in the long term.

The installation costs for large hydropower facilities consist mostly of civil construction works (such as the building of the dams, tunnels, and other necessary infrastructure) and electromechanical equipment costs (electricity-generating machinery). Since hydropower is a site-specific technology, these costs can be minimized at the planning stage through proper selection of location and design.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HYDROPOWER?

The benefits of hydropower have been recognized and harnessed for thousands of years. In addition to being a clean and cost-effective form of energy, hydropower plants can provide power to the grid immediately, serving as a flexible and reliable form of backup power during major electricity outages or disruptions. Hydropower also produces a number of benefits outside of electricity generation, such as flood control, irrigation support, and water supply.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF HYDROPOWER?

The history of hydropower dates back thousands of years. For example, the Greeks used water wheels to grind wheat into flour more than 2,000 years ago. The evolution of the modern hydropower turbine began in the mid-1700s when a French hydraulic and military engineer, Bernard Forest de Bélidor, wrote Architecture Hydraulique. Many key developments in hydropower technology occurred during the first half of the 19th century, and more recently, the past century has seen a number of hydroelectric advancements that have helped hydropower become an integral part of the renewable energy mix in the United States.

To learn how to join the hydropower industry and more about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce development opportunities, visit the Hydropower STEM Portal.

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What is Hydropower? Hydropower, or hydroelectric power, is one of the oldest and largest sources of renewable energy, which uses the natural flow of moving water to generate electricity. Hydropower currently accounts for 31.5% of total U.S. renewable electricity generation and about 6.3% of total U.S. electricity generation.

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https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/advantages-and-challenges-wind-energy

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Advantages and Challenges of Wind Energy

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Wind energy advantages explain why wind power is one of the fast-growing renewable energy sources in all the world.

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https://www.forbes.com/advisor/home-improvement/solar-energy-pros-and-cons/

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The Diablo Canyon nuclear plant is slated for closure in 2025. California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently said he is now looking into extending its life. (Josh Ernstrom)

Charles Komanoff was for decades an expert witness for groups working against nuclear plants, delivering blistering critiques so effective that he earned a spot at the podium when tens of thousands of protestersdescended on Washington in 1979 over the Three Mile Island meltdown.
10 steps you can take to lower your carbon footprint
Komanoff would go on to become an unrelenting adversary of Diablo Canyon, the hulking 37-year-old nuclear facility perched on a pristine stretch of California's Central Coast that had been the focal point of anti-nuclear activism in America. But his last letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, in February, was one Komanoff never expected to write. He implored Newsom to scrap state plans to close the coastal plant.

"We're going to have to give up some of our long-held beliefs if we are going to deal with climate," Komanoff said in an interview. "I am still a solar and wind optimist. But I am a climate pessimist. The climate is losing."

Biden administration launches $6 billion nuclear plant bailout

Komanoff's conversion is emblematic of the rapidly shifting politics of nuclear energy. The long controversial power source is gaining backers amid worries that shutting U.S. plants,which emit almost no emissions, makes little sense as governments race to end their dependence on fossil fuelsand the war in Ukraine heightens worries about energy security and costs. The momentum is driven in large part by longtime nuclear skeptics who remain unsettled by the technology but are now pushing to keep existing reactors running as they face increasingly alarming news about the climate.

The latest report from the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, published in April, warned that the world is so dangerously behind on climate action that within a decade it could blow past the targets crucial to containing warming to a manageable level. Emissions analysts are increasingly critical ofretirements of existing nuclear reactors as they take large amounts of low-emissions power off the grid, undermining the gains made as sources such as wind and solarcome online.

The movement to keep plants open comes despite persistent worries about toxic waste and just a decade after the nuclear disaster at Japan's Fukushima plant. It has been boosted by growing public acceptance of nuclear power and has nurtured an unlikely coalition of industry players, erstwhile anti-nukers, and legions of young grass-roots environmental activists moreworried about climate change than nuclear accidents.

"I am part of a whole generation of people who became frightened of nuclear power, but I am also more willing to entertain nuclear than I once was because there is a climate crisis," said John Parsons, an energy scholar at MIT and co-author of a report that urges California to postpone the closure of Diablo Canyon.

"When you want to go to net zero and there are hours of the day with no sun and weeks when the wind is not blowing, it becomes a much bigger task to ensure you have enough power," Parsons said. "Nuclear becomes essential."

What should America do with its nuclear waste?

California isn't alone in taking another look at nuclear. Four states racing to meet their climate goals - New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Illinois - have recently shifted course on nuclear power, using clean energy subsidies once set aside for only wind and solar to keep plants open.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) tried to prevent the closure of the Palisades nuclear plant south of Grand Rapids, which powered the equivalent of 800,000 homes before shutting down on Friday. She called keeping the plant open a "top priority" of her administration in an April letter to the Energy Department that cited the state's climate goals.

AndNewsom shocked his state a few weeks ago by announcing that he is now open to extending the life of Diablo Canyon. He had helped broker the plan to close the plant by 2025, hailed as a milestone of the anti-nuclear movement.

California officials had long argued the state was different, full of potential to go carbon neutral without nuclear energy. But the state is reconsidering as it faces the risk of renewed blackouts andnow stands out as a key test case for the new nuclear movement.

The Biden administration, which has encouraged California to reconsider Diablo Canyon's closure in three years,announced last month billions of dollars in new federal subsidies designed to prolong the life of such nuclear operations. Days later, Newsom told the Los Angeles Times editorial board that he is now open to tearing up the meticulously negotiated closure plan.

Getting drawn back into this battle anew has longtime nuclear opponents exhausted. They are unimpressed by the MIT-Stanford proposal. The plan would expand the Diablo Canyon to include a plant making climate-friendly hydrogen fuel and a desalination operation pumping fresh water into the parched state. Nuclear opponents say it glosses over logistical, economic and public safety barriers that have already sealed Diablo Canyon's fate.

"In the process of creating supposedly carbon-neutral energy, you're producing the most toxic material ever created by humans," said Linda Seeley, vice president of Mothers for Peace, a group that has been working to shut Diablo for decades. Seeley was among the 1,900 protesters arrested in 1981 during a days long blockade of Diablo Canyon by protesters.

The dangerous business of dismantling America's aging nuclear plants

"There's definitely a climate argument," said Rochelle Becker, executive director of the Alliance for Nuclear Responsibility, a key broker of the shutdown plan. "But we have look at the realities. We have gotten nowhere on solving the waste problem. ... And how much are ratepayers willing to pay to limp this plant along?"

Indeed, on the sprawling campus of the Diablo Canyon plant are 58 concrete and steel casks housing nuclear waste, standing upright alongside one another like bowling pins. They are a monument to the federal government's lack of a long-term plan for spent fuel, leaving it scattered among 80 currently operating and decommissioned plants in the United States. Plant opponents,including the Natural Resources Defense Council and Friends of the Earth, charge that Diablo Canyon is particularly dangerous because of the high potential for earthquakes in the area.

Yet rallying opposition is tougher than it once was. Nobody expects another blockade if Newsom and plant operator Pacific Gas & Electric move to keep it open.

Anti-nuclear sentiment is fading around the world as lofty goals for renewables confront supply chain disruptions, land use disputes and grid reliability concerns. California passed a law mandating that Diablo's power be replaced entirely by renewable energy. But regulators are still struggling to draft a viable plan.

That has bolstered the case of climate activists like Brazilian model and social media influencer Isabelle Boemeke, whose avant-garde Tik Tok productions under the moniker "Isodope" espouse the virtues of nuclear power. The last sizable nuclear protest near Diablo Canyon was the one she organized in San Luis Obispo, where dozens of activists demanded the plant stay open.

"For young people, the bias against nuclear power is not so deeply rooted," Boemeke said in an interview. "It is more a hangover from previous generations. They don't have that strong emotional connection someone who grew up the '70s has." Boemeke sees nuclear waste in a very different light from boomers.

"For all the fears people have talked about for decades at this point, it just has not panned out that way," she said. "It sounds scary, but it hasn't turned out to be a huge problem." It's a talking point favored by the pro-nuke intellectuals at the Bay Area's Breakthrough Institute, who note radiation exposure barely factored in the death toll in Fukushima.

Nuclear energy watchdogs call it misleading and dangerous propaganda. The number of individuals who developed chronic disease from exposure at Fukushima and Chernobyl, they say, may never be known. The World Health Organization concluded that radiation exposure from the 1986 Chernobyl disaster could ultimately lead to 4,000 deaths, even as the official death toll stands at fewer than 50.

The WHO painted a very different picture of Fukushima, where just one death is attributed to exposure. While hundreds died during the chaotic and traumatic evacuation, the agency concluded in 2015 that radiation was not the reason. It reported that the risk of future deaths linked to exposure during the accident is low.

Komanoff said he is still coming to terms with his personal repositioning after working to shut nuclear plants for decades, even if he is hardly alone. One of the nation's most prominent climate activists, Bill McKibben, has similarly shifted his thinking on existing nuclear plants. And dozens of climate and energy scholars have signed on to a letter led by Obama-era energy secretaries Steven Chu and Ernest Moniz urging Newsom not to close Diablo Canyon.

"It was a big part of my identity," Komanoff said of anti-nuclear activism. "If the pace of shoving fossil fuels off the grid and out of the economy were five times faster, I would not have spoken up."

But the economic and safety arguments against nuclear power, he said, have diminished with technology improvements. "In 1985, every operating nuclear plant seemed like an accident waiting to happen," said Komanoff, who is currently the director of the Carbon Tax Center in New York, a nonprofit group that advocates taxing greenhouse gas pollution. "That is just not tenable anymore. It has been 40-plus years without a serious malfunction in the U.S."

He still opposes building new plants, arguing the economics make no sense.The one nuclear plant under construction in the United States right now, in Georgia, has become a cautionary tale of how quickly the projects can spiral over budget and behind schedule. The new reactors at Plant Vogtle Nuclear Power Plant near Waynesboro were supposed to cost $14 billion and start generating power in 2016. They are still not operational and won't be this year. The price tag has swollen to $29.8 billion.

Yet some in the eclectic pro-nuclear-power coalition are pushing hard for more new reactors.

They include Michael Shellenberger, a media-savvy energy activist who is making nuclear power a focal point of a gubernatorial run against Newsom. He wants to see California add reactors at Diablo Canyon and build more massive plants along the coast. "Nuclear ought to be what was imagined in the 1960s," Shellenberger said in an interview, "these highly modern, beautiful plants pioneering our energy transition."

The Breakthrough Institute and others in Silicon Valley, meanwhile, are trying to nurture a new generation of reactors that are more versatile, efficient and safe, using sodium or helium as a coolant instead of water. The viability of that technology remains unclear, but the Biden administration and private investors are pouring considerable capital into it.

Some of the most effective evangelists in the new nuclear movement, though, are those who came to it from unexpected places.

When Heather Hoff graduated with a materials engineering degree from nearby California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, the plant was the obvious match for her skill set. Worries about radioactive fallout and environmental catastrophe left her doing everything she could to avoid working there, bouncing from a stint with a company making rectal thermometers for cows, to working in a vineyard, to a retail job.

Her uncle, a physics professor who had been involved in a local radiation monitoring program, warned her that working at the plant was a risk. Her mother also warned against a job at Diablo during Hoff's reproductive years. Hoff finally rationalized when she took a job as a reactor operator at the plant that she could be a mole for the anti-nuke advocates.

"I was like, okay, I'll go in and find out the real dirt and share it with them," Hoff said.

The longer she worked at the plant - deluging her colleagues with questions about worst-case scenarios, examining safety procedures, studying the public health and environmental consequences from Fukushima - the more confident she grew that nuclear power had a role in solving the climate crisis. By 2016 she had a daughter and was moved to co-found a group called Mothers for Nuclear.

"I just have such strong feelings that this is the absolute right thing to do," Hoff said at a local brewpub, where she arrived in an early-model electric car. "With the war in Ukraine and the energy situation in California, it is super obvious now. ... We've made it safe to talk about that. What better way to make it safe than to have mothers saying, 'nuclear is our future'?"

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Climate worries galvanize a new pro-nuclear movement in the U.S.

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Placeholder while article actions load Charles Komanoff was for decades an expert witness for groups working against nuclear plants, delivering blistering critiques so effective that he earned a spot at the podium when tens of thousands of protestersdescended on Washington in 1979 over the Three Mile Island meltdown.

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https://kiwienergy.us/pros-and-cons-of-hydroelectric-energy/

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We drink it, swim in it, and need it to sustain life, but did you know that water accounts for 16.6% of the world's total electricity production? There are thousands upon thousands of dams in the world, but only a few of them produce hydroelectric energy to power our homes and businesses. While it's certainly an abundant source of available energy, there are both pros and cons of hydroelectric energy. Check out a few of the advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric energy.

Pros of Hydroelectric Energy

There are many advantages of hydroelectric energy including renewability, zero emissions, and even recreational opportunities. Hydropower can even be a fun and engaging topic to learn about. Take a look at some of the
advantages of hydroelectric energy below.

1. It's Good for the Environment
Although hydroelectric energy does have some disadvantages, it is one of the most environmentally friendly forms of energy production available to us today. It does not use any fossil fuels, nor does it produce any harmful emissions, and it also provides a steady supply of clean energy. So, what's not to love? While dams can have a heavy impact on the environment, the only pollution these dams create is from the initial construction. The actual production of energy produces no carbon emissions.

2. It's a Renewable Resource
"Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink." While you won't be drinking directly from a river (or ocean) anytime soon, one of the main advantages of hydro energy is that water is nearly everywhere and can be used to produce hydroelectric energy. Because of the water cycle, it is a renewable resource that doesn't run out-allowing us to conserve limited and non-renewable resources for other uses.

Hydroelectric energy is also a great resource because it creates greater energy independence for countries. A reduced demand for external fuel sources may help lessen conflict and improve economic issues for countries that struggle to get fuel from international sources. Instead, they can provide clean, domestic power with hydro energy.

3. It's Reliable and Highly Efficient
One of the biggest pros of hydroelectric energy is that it is one of the most efficient energy resources in the world. Consider that solar power is only a maximum of 30-36% efficient, wind power only 25-45% efficient, and coal power is only 33-40% efficient. All of these methods pale in comparison to hydro energy, which is up to 90% efficient at converting water into electricity.

Hydroelectric energy also has the advantage of little to no downtime because the flow of water is only stopped for general repairs, maintenance, and upgrades. Solar power, on the other hand, decreases in production every night when the sun goes down, and wind power is only good as long as there is a steady breeze.

4. It's Flexible
Unlike other forms of power like solar, wind, or coal, hydroelectric energy is constant. The flow of water to produce energy can easily be altered to meet supply demands. This means that electricity can be made available when it's needed, which reduces energy waste.

5. It's Safe
Compared to many other forms of energy production, dams that produce hydro energy have been fairly safe over the years. Most issues or problems that have occurred are the result of poor construction and low safety standards in older dams. Another advantage of hydroelectric energy in this situation is that there is no combustible fuel involved, lowering the risks associated with fossil fuels or nuclear energy.

6. It's Economical
Although the initial expense can be hefty, once a hydroelectric dam is up and running, the cost of maintenance and employee wages is relatively low. Plus, water doesn't fluctuate in cost the way that traditional fossil fuels and imported fuels do. Countries that use hydroelectric power can save a lot of money, and some countries, like Paraguay, are able to get nearly all of their energy from hydroelectric dams.

7. It's Great for Recreational Use
Finally, dams typically create reservoirs. If you live near a reservoir or have ever visited one, you know that it's essentially a man-made lake where people enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, windsurfing, and more. There are even some famous reservoirs you may have heard of like Lake Mead, created by the Hoover Dam.

There are many great advantages of hydroelectric energy including energy independence and a sustainable source of energy for the future.

8. It's a Fundamental Vehicle for Development
In addition to being an abundant source of energy, one of the pros of hydroelectric energy is that it serves as an efficient and fundamental vehicle for the development of both new and established communities.

Hydroelectric power plants can do this in a number of ways, the first being that they can supply a large amount of energy to communities, even to those that are remote. They can also supply cause for highway construction, attract various industries, and give an overall boost in commerce. All of these benefits serve to improve the overall quality of life of residents who utilize this source of power.

In addition, hydroelectric energy creates sustainable development, meaning that it won't affect the capability of future generations when it comes to tackling their own unique needs in the future.

Cons of Hydroelectric Energy

The flip side to all these advantages of hydroelectric energy are the disadvantages of hydroelectric energy. Weighing the pros and cons of hydroelectric energy is important because we should also know the impact our actions have when creating sustainable energy solutions. Here are a few of the main disadvantages of hydroelectric energy.

1. It Has an Environmental Impact
Perhaps the largest disadvantage of hydroelectric energy is the impact it can have on the environment. Dams can damage or otherwise impact the environment both upstream and downstream through their construction process during the formation of the dam. To build a dam, new roads and power lines must be installed that disrupt the environment. Dams also often form reservoirs that flood large areas and displace natural habitats. When dams flood areas, it creates sections of still or stagnant water that kills vegetation which emits greenhouse gasses as it rots. This is especially true in humid and tropical environments.

Blocking the flow of water can also seriously impact fish migration, especially for species like salmon that rely on rivers to spawn. Dams can even impact biological triggers that tell fish where to go when it's time to migrate. Some dams have sought to solve this disadvantage of hydroelectric energy by creating fish ladders or fish elevators to help migratory fish make it to their spawning grounds.

The final environmental disadvantage of hydroelectric energy on our list is water quality. When dams are created, they limit the flow of water, which affects the oxygen levels in the water. Lower oxygen levels behind the dam can result in lower oxygen levels downstream as well. When there is not as much oxygen in the water, it is more difficult for some species of fish to survive, which affects river habitats.

The increase in carbon dioxide and methane emissions from a hydroelectric plant can also harm all forms of aquatic plant life. The increased pollution of these greenhouse gases can cause plant life beneath the water to rot, which can severely impact the surrounding ecosystem.

2. It Displaces People
Reservoirs not only displace animals from their habitats, but they also displace people. This disadvantage of hydroelectric energy can have quite a large impact on communities. People who have lived in an area their whole lives may be forced to move, and although they are typically compensated for moving, it can't make up for what they have lost.

Cities, towns, and villages have been eliminated by dams, and local cultures displaced. If people refuse to move due to construction, they have sometimes been forced out of their homes with the threat of violence.

In 1982, one instance in Guatemala resulted in the deaths of 369 Mayans who refused to move from their homes for the construction of the Chixoy Dam. Over the years, dams have displaced millions of people, forcing them to relocate their lives and families elsewhere.

The construction of a hydroelectric plant also increases the risk of flooding in lower elevations. Should strong water currents be released from the dam, those living in lower elevations can have their lives significantly altered, perhaps permanently.

3. It's Expensive
Another disadvantage of hydroelectric energy is the expense required to build a dam in the first place. Although they don't cost much to operate, the time it takes for a dam to pay for itself can vary widely. Some dams take two to five years to construct, while others like the Itaipu Dam in Brazil and Paraguay can take significantly longer, leading to increased costs. Everything totaled, the Itaipu Dam took 18 years and $18 billion to build.

Since the 1950's, an estimated $2,000 billion has been spent on dam construction around the world, with average construction delays of 44% and overestimates on cost reaching an average of 96%. Overspending and delays make it more difficult to get a return on the money invested in the construction of the dam.

4. There are Limited Reservoirs
Although water is an unlimited resource, the conditions necessary to build a dam are limited. This is a disadvantage of hydroelectric energy because it means you cannot simply build a dam anywhere you please. In fact, most locations that are suitable for building hydroelectric dams have already been used for this purpose. Another factor to consider is that even if a location could support a hydroelectric dam, it may not generate enough profit to make the project worthwhile.

5. There are Droughts
When weighing the advantages and disadvantages of hydroelectric energy, it's important to take into consideration the fact that water can and does go through cycles of abundance and drought. Lower than normal water levels can heavily impact energy production and is a disadvantage of hydroelectric energy.

Aside from being affected by drought, hydro energy production can cause drought conditions downstream if they don't allow sufficient water to pass through. This can be especially detrimental if a dam is located along a river or reservoir that allows water passage into another country. The country upstream could potentially cause a drought for their neighboring country either intentionally or inadvertently.

6. It's Not Always Safe
Despite a lack of combustible fuel, dams still offer dangers of their own. Construction accidents, as well as dam failure, can result in injury or loss of life. The Hoover Dam claimed as many as 112 deaths during its construction, and one of the worst catastrophes occurred when the Banqiao Reservoir Dam in China was destroyed by a typhoon in 1975.

The subsequent failure of the Banqiao Dam led to the deaths of an estimated 171,000 people. Thankfully, dams that are built today are constructed to higher safety standards than those in the past.

A Better Energy Solution

While there are certainly pros and cons of hydroelectric energy, there's no denying that it's an efficient means of producing energy for a sustainable future. By studying the advantages and disadvantages of sustainable energy, you can make a more informed decision about energy production in your own community.
Learn how you can be a part of an environmentally-conscious energy solution by signing up for Kiwi Energy today. Kiwi Energy offers solutions in New York and Ohio.

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We drink it, swim in it, and need it to sustain life, but did you know that water accounts for 16.6% of the world's total electricity production? There are thousands upon thousands of dams in the world, but only a few of them produce hydroelectric energy to power our homes and businesses.

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What Is Renewable Energy?

Renewable energy, often referred to as clean energy, comes from natural sources or processes that are constantly replenished. For example, sunlight and wind keep shining and blowing, even if their availability depends on time and weather.

While renewable energy is often thought of as a new technology, harnessing nature's power has long been used for heating, transportation, lighting, and more. Wind has powered boats to sail the seas and windmills to grind grain. The sun has provided warmth during the day and helped kindle fires to last into the evening. But over the past 500 years or so, humans increasingly turned to cheaper, dirtier energy sources, such as coal and fracked gas.

Now that we have innovative and less-expensive ways to capture and retain wind and solar energy, renewables are becoming a more important power source, accounting for more than 12 percent of U.S. energy generation. The expansion in renewables is also happening at scales large and small, from giant offshore wind farms to rooftop solar panels on homes, which can sell power back to the grid. Even entire rural communities (in Alaska, Kansas, and Missouri) are relying on renewable energy for heating and lighting.

As renewable use continues to grow, a key goal will be to modernize America's electricity grid, making it smarter, more secure, and better integrated across regions.

Dirty energy

Nonrenewable, or "dirty," energy includes fossil fuels such as oil, gas, and coal. Nonrenewable sources of energy are only available in limited amounts. When we pump gas at the station, we're using a finite resource refined from crude oil that's been around since prehistoric times.

Nonrenewable energy sources are also typically found in specific parts of the world, making them more plentiful in some nations than others. By contrast, every country has access to sunshine and wind. Prioritizing renewable energy can also improve national security by reducing a country's reliance on exports from fossil fuel-rich nations.

Many nonrenewable energy sources can endanger the environment or human health. For example, oil drilling might require strip-mining Canada's boreal forest; the technology associated with fracking can cause earthquakes and water pollution; and coal power plants foul the air. To top it off, all of these activities contribute to global warming.

Types of Renewable Energy Sources

Solar Energy

Humans have been harnessing solar energy for thousands of years-to grow crops, stay warm, and dry foods. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, "more energy from the sun falls on the earth in one hour than is used by everyone in the world in one year." Today, we use the sun's rays in many ways-to heat homes and businesses, to warm water, and to power devices.

Solar, or photovoltaic (PV), cells are made from silicon or other materials that transform sunlight directly into electricity. Distributed solar systems generate electricity locally for homes and businesses, either through rooftop panels or community projects that power entire neighborhoods. Solar farms can generate enough power for thousands of homes, using mirrors to concentrate sunlight across acres of solar cells. Floating solar farms -or "floatovoltaics"-can be an effective use of wastewater facilities and bodies of water that aren't ecologically sensitive.

Solar supplies nearly 3 percent of U.S. electricity generation (some sources estimate it will reach nearly 4 percent in 2022). But 46 percent of all new generating capacity came from solar in 2021.

Solar energy systems don't produce air pollutants or greenhouse gases, and as long as they are responsibly sited, most solar panels have few environmental impacts beyond the manufacturing process.

Wind energy

We've come a long way from old-fashioned windmills. Today, turbines as tall as skyscrapers-with turbines nearly as wide in diameter-stand at attention around the world. Wind energy turns a turbine's blades, which feeds an electric generator and produces electricity.

Wind, which accounts for 9.2 percent of U.S. electricity generation, has become one of the cheapest energy sources in the country. Top wind power states include California, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, though turbines can be placed anywhere with high wind speeds-such as hilltops and open plains-or even offshore in open water.

Other Alternative Energy Sources

Hydroelectric power

Hydropower is the largest renewable energy source for electricity in the United States, though wind energy is soon expected to take over the lead. Hydropower relies on water-typically fast-moving water in a large river or rapidly descending water from a high point-and converts the force of that water into electricity by spinning a generator's turbine blades.

Nationally and internationally, large hydroelectric plants-or mega-dams-are often considered to be nonrenewable energy. Mega-dams divert and reduce natural flows, restricting access for animal and human populations that rely on those rivers. Small hydroelectric plants (an installed capacity below about 40 megawatts), carefully managed, do not tend to cause as much environmental damage, as they divert only a fraction of the flow.

Biomass energy

Biomass is organic material that comes from plants and animals, and includes crops, waste wood, and trees. When biomass is burned, the chemical energy is released as heat and can generate electricity with a steam turbine.

Biomass is often mistakenly described as a clean, renewable fuel and a greener alternative to coal and other fossil fuels for producing electricity. However, recent science shows that many forms of biomass-especially from forests-produce higher carbon emissions than fossil fuels. There are also negative consequences for biodiversity. Still, some forms of biomass energy could serve as a low-carbon option under the right circumstances. For example, sawdust and chips from sawmills that would otherwise quickly decompose and release carbon can be a low-carbon energy source.

Geothermal energy

If you've ever relaxed in a hot spring, you've used geothermal energy. The earth's core is about as hot as the sun's surface, due to the slow decay of radioactive particles in rocks at the center of the planet. Drilling deep wells brings very hot underground water to the surface as a hydrothermal resource, which is then pumped through a turbine to create electricity. Geothermal plants typically have low emissions if they pump the steam and water they use back into the reservoir. There are ways to create geothermal plants where there are not underground reservoirs, but there are concerns that they may increase the risk of an earthquake in areas already considered geological hot spots.

Ocean

Tidal and wave energy are still in the developmental phase, but the ocean will always be ruled by the moon's gravity, which makes harnessing its power an attractive option. Some tidal energy approaches may harm wildlife, such as tidal barrages, which work much like dams and are located in an ocean bay or lagoon. Like tidal power, wave power relies on dam-like structures or ocean floor-anchored devices on or just below the water's surface.

Renewable Energy in the Home

Solar power

At a smaller scale, we can harness the sun's rays to power the whole house-whether through PV cell panels or passive solar home design. Passive solar homes are designed to welcome in the sun through south-facing windows and then retain the warmth through concrete, bricks, tiles, and other materials that store heat.

Some solar-powered homes generate more than enough electricity, allowing the homeowner to sell excess power back to the grid. Batteries are also an economically attractive way to store excess solar energy so that it can be used at night. Scientists are hard at work on new advances that blend form and function, such as solar windows and roof shingles.

Geothermal heat pumps

Geothermal technology is a new take on a recognizable process-the coils at the back of your fridge are a mini heat pump, removing heat from the interior to keep foods fresh and cool. In a home, geothermal or geoexchange pumps use the constant temperature of the earth (a few feet below the surface) to cool homes in summer and warm houses in winter-and even to heat water.

Geothermal systems can be initially expensive to install but typically pay off within 5 to 10 years. They are also quieter, have fewer maintenance issues, and last longer than traditional air conditioners.

Small wind systems

A backyard wind farm? Boats, ranchers, and even cell phone companies use small wind turbines regularly. Dealers now help site, install, and maintain wind turbines for homeowners, too-although some DIY enthusiasts are installing turbines themselves. Depending on your electricity needs, wind speeds, and zoning rules in your area, a wind turbine may reduce your reliance on the electrical grid.

Selling the energy you collect

Wind- and solar-powered homes can either stand alone or get connected to the larger electrical grid, as supplied by their power provider. Electric utilities in most states allow homeowners to only pay the difference between the grid-supplied electricity consumed and what they have produced-a process called net metering. If you make more electricity than you use, your provider may pay you the retail price for that power.

Renewable energy and you

Advocating for renewables, or using them in your home, can accelerate the transition toward a clean energy future. Even if you're not yet able to install solar panels, you may be able to opt for electricity from a clean energy source. (Contact your power company to ask if it offers that choice.) If renewable energy isn't available through your utility, you can purchase renewable energy certificates to offset your use.
This story was originally published on June 15, 2018, and has been updated with new information and links.

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What Is Renewable Energy? Renewable energy, often referred to as clean energy, comes from natural sources or processes that are constantly replenished. For example, sunlight and wind keep shining and blowing, even if their availability depends on time and weather.

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https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-is-a-wind-farm

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Today's Wonder of the Day was inspired by Marissa from Bay City, MI. Marissa Wonders, " How do wind farms work? " Thanks for WONDERing with us, Marissa!

What do you think of when you hear the word "farm"? Animals? Vegetables? Tractors? Farmers? Would you believe there are farms without any of those things? It's true! What are we talking about? Wind farms!

Wind farms are areas where many large wind have been grouped together. They "" the power of the wind. These large look a bit like super-tall windmills.

A large wind farm can have hundreds of wind spread out over hundreds of miles. The land between the may be used for other purposes, such as regular farming. Some wind farms are also located near bodies of water. There, they take advantage of winds that blow across lakes or oceans.

Did you know that wind energy is actually another form of energy? Earth's shape and rotation work with the Sun's uneven heating of the atmosphere to make winds.

Wind farms are built in areas known to be especially windy on a regular basis. The winds turn the blades of the . Then, the turn the energy of the wind into mechanical power. Generators then turn the mechanical power into electricity . That electricity is then used to power homes.

You can think of a wind turbine as the of a fan. A fan uses electricity to make wind. Wind do the : they use the wind to make electricity ! As the wind turns the blades of a wind turbine, the blades cause a shaft to spin. The spinning shaft connects to a that creates electricity .

Are you wondering why scientists looked to the wind as an energy source? There are plenty of good reasons. Wind energy is free and . Unlike most power plants, wind farms don't emit or greenhouse gases.

However, wind farms can cost a lot of money to set up. Over time, though, their cost is competitive with other types of generating systems. Unfortunately, you can't make the wind blow whenever you want it to. That means wind farms can't always meet electricity needs on demand.

Over time, scientists believe new technologies will make wind power even more popular. They believe people may one day store wind power in batteries for on-demand use. Wind power already accounts for about 3% of the United States' electricity . Experts believe wind power will account for 20% of the nation's electricity by 2030.

CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.4, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.SL.1, CCRA.W.4, NGSS.ESS3.A

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Today's Wonder of the Day was inspired by Marissa from Bay City, MI. Marissa Wonders, " How do wind farms work? " Thanks for WONDERing with us, Marissa! What do you think of when you hear the word "farm"? Animals? Vegetables? Tractors? Farmers? Would you believe there are farms without any of those things?

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https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/How-Is-Nuclear-Power-Generated

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How many electronics do you use every day? Really think about it. Do you spend time on a smartphone? How about a computer? Do you watch TV? Maybe you play video games after school. These devices give people many hours of entertainment every day.

You can't have electronics without one thing: electricity! Where does this power source come from? In many areas, people make it by burning fossil fuels. These produce greenhouse gases. The Earth will also run out of them one day. For these reasons, scientists have been looking for other energy sources for many years.

You might already know about solar and wind power. These are two alternative energy sources. Another one has also become popular in many areas of the world. It doesn't produce greenhouse gases, but it does create . It's connected to disasters in places like Fukushima, Chernobyl, and Three Mile Island. What are we talking about? Nuclear energy, of course!

How do nuclear power work? They have a lot in common with those that burn fossil-fuels. Both heat water to turn it into steam. Both use that steam to turn a turbine generator that makes electricity. Instead of burning fossil fuels to make heat, though, nuclear reactors rely on another process. It's called nuclear fission.

How does nuclear fission happen? First, are fired at the of a radioactive element called Uranium-235 (U-235). The U-235 absorbs these . This causes it to become unstable. It splits, releasing energy. This makes a great deal of heat.

A little bit of U-235 can go a long way. As an example, let's consider a submarine that runs on nuclear power. One pound of highly-enriched U-235 as would be equal to about a million gallons of gasoline! That's why many people want to use Uranium instead of fossil fuels.

Others worry about the dangers of nuclear energy. Radioactive materials are used in nuclear power . Special safety precautions have to be taken. These keep the workers and those who live near the power plant safe.

The nuclear energy industry has learned lessons from disasters in like Chernobyl. Today, nuclear reactors are usually housed in steel vessels. These are then surrounded by multiple solid concrete . This could contain much of the radiation in case of a meltdown.

Still, meltdowns aren't the only concern. Nuclear power also produce high-level radioactive . It takes tens of thousands of years for this material to decay to safe levels. That's why it must be carefully stored and monitored in large concrete structures.

Despite its risks, nuclear energy has many positives. These make it an attractive alternative to fossil fuels. For example, it makes about a million times more energy per unit weight than fossil fuels. Nuclear power also put very little carbon dioxide in the air.

Today, there are over 400 nuclear power reactors around the world. Some countries, such as France and Lithuania, produce more than 75% of their power using nuclear power . In the United States, over 100 nuclear power create nearly 20% of the country's energy.

What do you think? Is nuclear power the clean energy solution the world needs? Or is the risk of too great? What other types of energy do you think the world should try?

NGSS.ESS3.A, NGSS.ESS3.B, NGSS.PS3.A, CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.R.4, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.SL.1, CCRA.SL.2, CCRA.W.1, CCRA.W.9, CCRA.L.1, CCRA.L.2

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How many electronics do you use every day? Really think about it. Do you spend time on a smartphone? How about a computer? Do you watch TV? Maybe you play video games after school. These devices give people many hours of entertainment every day. You can't have electronics without one thing: electricity!

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Hydroelectric Power: How it Works | U.S. Geological Survey

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So just how do we get electricity from water? Actually, hydroelectric and coal-fired power plants produce electricity in a similar way. In both cases a power source is used to turn a propeller-like piece called a turbine.