Preview

Renewable Energy In The United States

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
159 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Renewable Energy In The United States
The third category is renewable energy. Renewable energy includes solar energy, wind power, hydroelectric power, geothermal, biomass, and biofuels. Solar energy comes from sun; wind power obviously comes from wind; hydroelectric power comes from water; geothermal energy comes from heat; biomass fuels come from wood, straw, waste created by animals and humans, and numerous byproducts. As it is, renewable energy can be replenished naturally, and therefore it seems better than fossil fuels and nuclear energy in this perspective. In 2014, all forms of renewable energy together accounted for 13 percent of U.S. primary energy consumption. It is estimated that the use of renewable energy will increase to 25 percent by 2025, 30 percent by 2035, and

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Renewable Energy

    • 2489 Words
    • 10 Pages

    In recent decades, there has been an increased need to produce sufficient renewable energy to support global population growth. In response, it has become crucial to find socially responsible sustainable energy resources that offer energy security, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and do not compromise biodiversity or sustainability of existing resources. Despite efforts to reduce the amount of waste produced, a continually growing population limits the space available in landfills. Municipal and industrial waste biomass is often rich in organic matter, allowing for the creation and use of biofuels as an energy source. This organic matter can be used to synthesize ethanol, methanol, and biodiesel through the conversion of inorganic compounds into energy-producing organic carbon compounds. Moreover, unlike fossil fuels, which take millions of years to form, these organic carbon compounds are formed relatively quickly. Biofuel production from waste is beneficial as it allows for better management of landfill sites, and energy production from materials which typically cannot be recycled or composted. Most importantly, it allows for the reduction of significant amounts of methane produced from landfill gas emissions.…

    • 2489 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Americans are disgusted with the increasing cost of oil and they no longer want to financially support foreign countries that attack the United States. They are fed up because politicians have been claiming, for over thirty years, that energy independence is within reach, yet little progress has been made toward any real energy independence. Mortimer B. Zuckerman, editor-in-chief of U.S. News and World Report and the publisher and owner of the New York Daily News, wrote an editorial, Stop the Energy Insanity (2008), claiming that “special-interest-driven politics” is what is holding America back on any real policies toward energy independence (p.323). Zuckerman (2008) points to several solutions to begin the process of becoming energy independent such as, reducing consumption, offshore drilling, and investing in research and development. The Council on Foreign Relations put together an independent task force to report on the National Security Consequences of U.S. Oil Dependence. The Task Force noted in 2006 that the United States must “manage the consequences of unavoidable dependence on oil…and begin the transition to an economy that relies less on petroleum” (p.312). The Task Force feels that energy independence is unachievable, however, they do point to several solutions to manage oil consumption. While energy independence may not be entirely achievable in the near future, politicians should concentrate on managing the United States’ dependence on oil by limiting consumption from transportation, and exploiting the oil resources that are available in America.…

    • 1047 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Select one type of fossil fuel (Coal, Petroleum or Natural Gas) and one type of renewable energy resource (Solar power, Wind power, Hydropower, Geothermal power, or Biomass). Research and record the information in the chart. If you would prefer to use a different format to present this information, that is fine; however, you must include all the information on the chart in order to receive full credit for this assignment.…

    • 660 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Best Essays

    America's Energy Policy

    • 3119 Words
    • 13 Pages

    The invention of electricity, to many, can be considered one of the greatest inventions by humanity, behind writing and the wheel. From its first discovery in the 1600s till present day, electricity has fascinated the minds of scientist everywhere. Over time society has been established with a very high dependency on this commodity. Imagine our world today without electricity or any of the inventions derived from it. Modern societies would have taken a much different path. Last year the International Energy Agency conducted a survey on the energy statistics for over 30 of the more developed countries. Around 62 percent of the energy produced worldwide was created from combustible fuel source (Monthly Electricity Statistics). When combustible fuel is burned, carbon and other harmful byproducts are released into the atmosphere. This brings about environmental injustice since every living organism in contact with the atmosphere now suffers the consequences which the few benefit from. While I believe this is the more grave concern regarding electricity, the majority of the modernized world might not have an equivalent conclusion.…

    • 3119 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Through out the history of the United states the main source of energy has been conventional Oil, Coal, and gas energy, or better known as Conventional petroleum energy. However as the demand for electricity sky rockets the pollution produced from the traditional fossil fuel burning plants is reaching dangerous levels. Gas, coal and oil burning power plants are as of now responsible for half of America’s air pollution (tripod/online). Not to mention fossil fuels are the greatest contributors to global warming in today’s society.…

    • 944 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    To Drill or Not to Drill

    • 614 Words
    • 3 Pages

    For years, the nations of the world have relied on some form of energy to sustain the populace and the industrial sectors of that nation. Fossil fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas) are the backbone of the United States’ energy consumption. Fossil fuels are not an infinite source but a finite source. Scientists do not know the exact process behind the creation of fossil fuels, except that the creation takes a very long time. Because fossil fuels are not unlimited and speculation has some fossil fuels disappearing by the end of the 21st century, many individuals believe that the United States needs to look at other resources to fuel the country (“Introduction to Renewable Energy: Opposing Viewpoints,” 2009).…

    • 614 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The demand has almost tripled since then and because of that, the United States have depended on energy supplies from countries that are not reliable and are unstable. The risks and cost of oil rising is a concern for most people to think we should turn to a different energy resource that is cheaper and more reliable than oil. The United States would be better off if we could lead the way in creating the technologies of the future in alternative fuels and energy.…

    • 598 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Energy is very important, especially for the people of the United States. It has become an integral part of our lives and we have grown dependent on it. Therein lies the problem, however, because the more we use it, the less there is. We have to find alternative forms of energy before it is gone and we are left high and dry. Not only is our sources decreasing, it is also polluting our beautiful world. Reducing the use of energy and finding alternatives is our only choice when considering the future of America. Cheap gas may sound great right now but once it is gone, it is gone for good. We cannot be selfish and only think of the now, we must look to the future and preserve our resources so that our grandkids will have a good life. We have made…

    • 258 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Many people are debating how to best meet energy needs in the United States. Some argue that the country must decrease its dependence on oil and invest in alternative sources of energy. The United States use tons of oil daily witch tends to be very expensive. Many people believe that to best meet energy needs would be to find alternative sources, such as wind, and solar power. The simple fact is, renewable and alternative energy should be a major investment for everyone. Energy conservation can result in increased financial capital, environmental quality, national security, personal security, and comfort. Individuals and organizations choose to conserve energy to reduce energy costs and promote economic security. However, Industrial, and commercial users can increase energy use efficiency. Repeated use of alternative sources would help the United States to gradually clean up pollution and also save millions of dollars in the future.…

    • 395 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    B.Com Part-1

    • 3087 Words
    • 13 Pages

    Energy is the foundation of industrialized world; without energy, life as we know it would cease to exist. The yearly energy and fuel consumption rates have risen dramatically within the last years. This phenomenon is a direct result of globalization pressures, the international information network we call the Internet, and a population that seems to be hitting the dangerous upswing of the Malthusian curve. Although there is not yet a current shortage of conventional fuels, such as reserves of coal, oil and other fossil fuels are limited and non-renewable. In addition, the common practice of burning oil, coal, and other assorted hydrocarbons has resulted in hazardous environmental conditions such as global warming, acid rain and dangerously high air pollution levels. This and other environmental disasters have brought about a demand for alternative fuel and energy sources that are convenient, environmentally friendly, and economically viable. The U.S. Department of Energy defines alternative fuel as fuel that is essentially non-petroleum and yields energy security and environmental benefits. Following are some of the fuels the Department of Energy currently recognizes as alternative fuels methanol, hydrogen, liquid and compressed natural gas, and electric fuel. Alternative sources of energy are classified as energy provided from sources other than fossil fuels. This includes but is not limited to nuclear power, solar power, hydropower and biomass. Currently, many of these alternate sources are in use, but unfortunately they are underused or underdeveloped because of perceived shortcomings or drawbacks. While some of these fuel and energy sources may indeed lack the efficiency or cost effectiveness of the conventional fuel and energy, having a clean living planet far outweighs the cost of clean energy.…

    • 3087 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Solar Energy Pros and Cons

    • 2001 Words
    • 9 Pages

    There are kinds of energy that can be replenished in short periods of time called renewable energy, these come from sources that are frequently being recycled and are consistently less polluting than energy that is produced from fossil fuels. There are five main kinds of renewable energy: biomass, hydropower, geothermal, wind and solar. Solar energy is provide by the sun in the forms of sunlight and heat, has been utilized the least even though it is probably the most accessible. However, solar energy holds a number of benefits for societies and it has already proven to have positive effects on residential homes and industrial applications.…

    • 2001 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Solar and wind energies have seen unrelenting growth in the past few years. They broke new records in 2015. While the fossil fuels market crash is demanding downsizing in those industries. Clean energy is receiving twice as much global funding as fossil fuels, with the help of government subsidies alternative energy is exceeding fossil fuels two to one. Out of all the alternative energies,…

    • 591 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    An issue the whole world faces today is the reliance on fossil fuels as an energy source. These fossil fuels include coal, natural gas, and most importantly, petroleum. While petroleum and coal are in fact biologically based, they are using condensed, stored energy that has been building up over millions of years. This energy is not considered renewable because of the time it takes for the energy to build up. Once it is gone, it will be millions of years before this condensed energy is in supply again (Braude 2005). Most renewable sources are products of solar energy, photosynthesis being the solar process that powers plant-based renewable power. The problem with fossil fuels is that they do not use active photosynthetic energy, which is renewable or endless. It is said that petroleum is going to run out soon if consumers continue to use it at the rate they are. It would be more accurate to say that petroleum is going to become harder to find.…

    • 1995 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Renewable energy, a source of energy that holds a significant promise to help reduce the amount of toxins that are by-product of too much energy use and bring a positive impact on our planet that we currently use as our source of energy.These include energy from water(Hydropower), wind, the sun(solar power), geothermal sources, and biomass fuel. In contrast, fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas are non-renewable,it’s finite and will some day run out completely.…

    • 482 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Forms of Energy

    • 1666 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Energy is an important part of our everyday lives. Energy can come in many different types, and forms it can be used for many different purposes. Energy has many different usages and can be converted from one form of usage to another form of usage depending on what the need is. One form of energy conversion is the use of food to supply people 's bodies with energy. Another form of energy is how coal is converted into electricity. Fuel is another form of energy that can be used for many different usages as well. Fuel is used for much different reason such as allowing our cars to function and our lawnmowers to cut grass. There are many different reasons why people use energy in the many different ways that we use it. Even though people rely on energy usage, some of the forms of energy we use are very harmful to the environment and even dangerous to ourselves. The harmful and dangerous fuels that we use can be changed to alternative methods of energy usage. There are two different types of alternative energy, which is known as renewable energy. Renewable energy is very resourceful and is able to be used because it is all around us there will not be a shortage of material and it is safer on every living thing and being. Energy and fuel usage just like everything else in the world has its advantages and disadvantages about using it. We must collectivity figure out which source of energy is right for everyone but for now we will find out which is best to use in your area.…

    • 1666 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays