What is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy comes from energy resources that are replenished continually. Unlike finite fossil fuels, their supply will never become exhausted. The main sources of renewable energy are the sun (solar energy), the wind, moving water (hydropower, wave and tidal energy), heat below the surface of the earth (geothermal energy) and biomass (wood, waste, energy crops).

What are the Benefits?
Renewable energy resources are clean sources of energy. Using fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas) and other harmful pollutants. Whereas renewable energy resources can be harnessed without damaging the environment. Increasing the use of renewable energy is therefore a key strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By increasing our use of these resources, we can achieve a more secure and stable energy supply for the long term and reduce the reliance on imports of fossil fuels.

Why Renewable Energy Now?
We now know that large-scale use of fossil fuels cannot be sustained in the long term.
Burning fossil fuels releases vast quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. CO2 is an extremely damaging greenhouse gas. Continuing to release it in such large quantities causes global warming and is a threat to the environment globally. Other pollutants released in the fossil fuel combustion process - such as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and lead - are equally destructive causing corrosive acid rain and contamination of water and soil.

It would not be realistic to stop using fossil fuels immediately, but a gradual shift towards renewable energy would mean reduced CO2 emissions, cleaner, less polluting energy production and a more secure energy supply for the long term.

Using Renewable Energy
Many opportunities exist for organisations and individuals to make use of renewable energy resources. This section highlights some of the most practical and cost-effective renewable energy options available in various applications.

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Renewable Energy in the Home

Renewable Energy for Business and Industry