Although the idea of renewable energy is well-known for some time, very few people have ever used it. Many governments, companies, and people are now looking for greener alternatives to non-renewable energy sources like coal, oil and natural gas. Renewable energy options such as hydro, solar, biomass and geothermal are all viable alternatives. Renewable energy is a form of power that uses renewable energy. It can be generated from natural resources such as wind, sunlight, biological processes and water. We know the source of electricity (e.g. sunlight) will always be available, whether it is tomorrow or next week. The fossil fuels will not be here for that time. The two terms “renewable” and “non-renewable” are used interchangeably. The UK’s Rise in Renewable Energy. In 2013,, only 14.9% of total UK energy generation was from renewable sources. This number has risen, and now 20% is the percentage of energy that comes from renewable sources. With energy companies using renewables, this figure will rise to 30% by 2020,. The ambitious UK climate change goals, 2030, experts predict that renewables will remain a significant part of the total power generation. In this context the term “renewables” is used interchangeably with renewable energy sources. Experts, energy companies and researchers, as well as acedemic scientists, predict that there will be more windfarms and other solar projects in the coming years. The Walney Extension is the UK’s biggest windfarm and it can be found just off the Cumbrian Coast. The windfarm generates 695 megawatts. This is sufficient energy to power almost 600,000 houses. The country’s top renewable energy source is wind energy, both onshore and off-shore. The UK has spent a lot of money and effort to teach young people how wind energy works. University of Hull launched an apprenticeship program that teaches students about wind farm science and the skills needed to operate one. Renewable Energy’s Benefits As more people become aware of the effects climate change has on our planet, homeowners are looking for ways to make their homes more sustainable. Businesses are moving in the opposite direction, but homeowners are not the only ones making this switch. Comparethemarket.com offers a great article about why businesses should switch energy suppliers. There are many benefits to switching to renewable energy sources for businesses and homes. You can reduce your carbon footprint by switching to renewable energy sources. The environment is less affected by C 02 as well as toxic gases from renewable energy sources. The source of renewable energy is a resource that can last forever in a human-scale timeframe. Renewable energy has lower electricity bills. We all understand that it is beneficial for climate change mitigation and global warming. Most people mistakenly think that renewable energy is more costly than electricity made from fossil fuels. You will initially need to invest more in solar panels to be installed on your roof. You will see a significant reduction in your electric bills over time, even though you spent more initially. Simply put, renewables are more affordable than other energy sources over the long-term. You might be able to generate income by adding a renewable energy source into your home. You can get more electricity than you need through various government programs. Your excess energy can be sold. The UK Government states that you can request payments from your energy provider if your electricity is generated by solar panels or wind turbines. This is known as a “feed-in tariff” (FIT).
