The Future Of Renewable Energy - 1709 Words

Currently the United States depends heavily on coal, oil, and natural gas for a majority of its energy. Fossil fuels are non-renewable, and they draw on limited resources that will eventually diminish and become too costly or too environmentally damaging to reclaim. In contrast, the many types of renewable energy resources-such as wind and solar energy-are regularly replenished and will may never run out. Most renewable energy comes either directly or indirectly from the sun. Sunlight, or what is referred to as solar energy, can be used directly for heating and lighting homes and other buildings. It may also be used for producing electricity, hot water heating, cooling, and a variety of commercial and industrial uses. The sun s heat also†¦show more content†¦But it doesn t occur naturally as a gas. It s always combined with other elements, such as with oxygen to make water. Once separated from another element, hydrogen can be burned as a fuel or converted into electricity. N ot all renewable energy. The sun also warms the surface of the ocean more than the ocean depths, creating a temperature difference that can be used as an energy source. This form of ocean energy can be used to produce electricity. Energy depletion patterns have changed over the history of our country as we developed new energy sources and as our uses of energy have changed. Wood served as an early form of energy until the late 1800s, even though water mills were an important energy source to some early industrial growth. Coal became dominant in the late 19th century before being surpassed by petroleum products in the middle of the last century, a time when natural gas usage also rose quickly. Since the mid-20th century, coal use has again intensified (mainly as a primary energy source for electric power generation), and a new forms of energy such as nuclear electric power which has made an increasingly significant contribution. After a pause in the 1970s, the use of petroleum and natural gas resumed growth, and the overall pattern of energy consumption since the late 20th century has remained somewhat constant. While the Country’s overall energy history is one of significant change as new forms of ener gies