Renewable Energy

Renewable energy sources will not run out. This is because they don't use fossil fuels or nuclear fuels.

• Hydroelectric power stations release water from behind a dam to spin a water turbine and then drive an electrical generator.
• Windmills are expensive to build and don't work when there's no wind. However, wind costs nothing and they don't pollute the planet.
• In a geothermal power station cold water is pumped down to hot rocks under the ground and it comes back as steam. The steam can drive a turbine and generator to make electricity.
• Solar panels are most useful when it is sunny and there is no other power supply. E.g. in space, in Africa and for electric road signs.
• Biofuels can be made from vegetable oils, ethanol from fermentation or biogas from rotting materials.
• Wave machines use the kinetic energy of waves to drive turbines and electrical generators.
• Tidal barrages release trapped water from high tide, during low tide, to produce energy.