Renewable energy is energy made from resources that are naturally replaced, such as wind, water and sunshine. It’s often referred to as clean energy because it does not create a harmful impact on the environment.

Below you can explore and learn more about the different types of renewable energy sources available.

SOLAR ENERGY

Solar energy is energy from the sun that’s converted into thermal or electrical energy. It’s also considered by many as the cleanest and most abundant renewable energy source. Thanks to modern technology, we’re now able to harness this energy through the use of solar cells.

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BIOMASS ENERGY

While it sounds a bit complex, biomass is just any material made by plants and animals such as wood, crops like corn, manure, and even garbage. Because it also contains energy from the sun, it’s considered to be a source of renewable energy.

When biomass is burned, its stored energy is released as heat, which in turn can be used to heat water until it becomes steam. Steam is often used to spin turbines connected to an electricity generator that creates energy. Additionally, biomass produces methane gas as it rots. Like natural gas, methane gas can also be captured and burned to spin a turbine and generate electricity. Who knew such a stinky gas could be used for energy?

Did you know that El Paso Electric’s electricity contains biomass energy? Since 2008, the Camino Real Landfill has operated as our biomass energy provider. Click the button below to learn more about this process.

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GEOTHERMAL ENERGY

Geothermal energy is the internal heat that is contained in the rock and fluids beneath the earth’s surface. It’s mostly comprised of super-hot gas and molten rock and is constantly being replenished. Most importantly, water from deep below the surface, known as geothermal water, can also be used as a source of energy and heated water.

If managed properly, geothermal energy is a renewable and sustainable form of energy because it can naturally produce electricity through natural heat with little to no greenhouse gas emissions. Power plants can convert hydrothermal fluids to electricity in three ways – dry steam, flash steam or binary cycle.

• Dry steam systems extract steam out of cracks in the ground, harvesting hot water and steam that drives the turbines on electricity generators.
• Flash plants pull high-pressure hot water from deep in the earth into cooler, low-pressure water, that creates steam to move turbines.
• Binary cycle introduces a secondary (or binary) fluid that flashes into vapor when it’s exposed to heat from hot water.
  
  

HYDRO ENERGY

Hydro energy (or hydropower) is the process of using the energy of moving water to create electricity. It’s considered a renewable energy source because the water cycle is constantly renewed by the sun. It’s also one of the oldest sources of energy generation; it was used thousands of years ago, before steam and electricity, to turn paddle wheels that would help grind grain.

Today, modern hydro plants produce electricity using turbines and generators. Like with geothermal energy generation, the movement of water spins the blades of a turbine connected to an electromagnetic generator that produces electricity as it spins.

WIND ENERGY

As the name implies, wind power is energy from moving air. Wind is caused by the sun’s uneven heating of the earth’s surface. Because the surface is made up of different types of land and water, the sun's heat is absorbed at different rates; warm air is lighter and rises, while colder air sinks. This creates the movement of air we know as wind.

Nowadays, wind energy is used to generate electricity through giant modern windmills known as wind turbines. These towering structures use their blades to collect the wind’s kinetic or moving energy. Wind flows over the blades creating lift (similar to the effect on airplane wings), which causes the blades to turn. The movement of the blades turns a connected electric generator, which in turn produces electricity.

Wind energy is another viable, renewable energy source since it doesn’t burn any type of fuel and relies exclusively on the wind, resulting in zero carbon dioxide emissions.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are a new and eco-friendly alternative to traditional gas combustion vehicles, that run on a rechargeable battery instead of gasoline. Since they’re powered by electricity, EVs are quiet and fast; they don’t need to rev up an engine to get speed because they respond as soon as the pedal is pressed.

Most importantly, they’re better for the environment. Since electric vehicles can run on a rechargeable battery, they produce fewer or no carbon dioxide emissions.

Learn more about electric vehicles and their positive impact on our environment.

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