Citizens Guide to Sustainable Energy: Renewable Energy

Renewable energy

Solar
Wind
Hydro
Geothermal
Biomass
Hydrogen

solar panels
In contrast to oil, coal and gas, the combined production of energy from renewable sources has been dramatically minor in the global mix. Yet the expansion of this source remains the key hope to those working to reverse or slow the impacts of the growing consumption of and dependency on fossil fuels. In 1998 renewable energy (solar, geothermal, biomass, wind, hydro) accounted for only 8% of U.S. energy consumption vs. 39% using petroleum, 23% using coal, and 23% using natural gas. Nuclear accounted also for 8%. [Source: Renewable Energy Annual 1999, Energy Information Administration.]The term "renewable energy" often refers to a family of energy sources (e.g., solar, wind, hydro, biomass, geothermal, hydrogren) with various disagreements on membership (e.g.,nuclear). The International Energy Agency defines it as "derived from natural processes that are replenished constantly. In its various forms, it derives diretly from the sun, or from heat generated deep within the earth. Included in the definition is electricity and heat generated from solar, wind, ocean, hydropower, biomass, geothermal resources, and biofuels and hydrogen derived from renewable resources." [Renewable Energy into the Mainstream, IEA, October 2002, pdf]Renewable energy is also often used as interchangeable with "clean energy," although the two terms can have very different and sometimes quite controversal meanings and implications.Links:wikipedia on renewable energy

National Renewable Energy Laboratory - "Learning about renewable energy."

"The Rise of Renewable Energy" by Kaniel Kammen [pdf], Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL), University of California.

Union of Concerned Scientists - Renewable energy basics

World Renewable Energy Assembly -

Public Citizen - The case for renewables and energy efficiency

Sierra Club - Clean power comes on strong

Renewable Energy Policy Project - Center for Renewable Energy & Sustainable Technology

Natural Resources Defense Council

Climate Change Knowledge Network - Decentralized renewable energy

International Sustainable Energy Organization for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Green Energy News

Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development

Renewable Energy Access

Source for Renewable Energy

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

US Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Canadian Renewable Fuels Strategy

Solar

Union of Concerned Scientists - How solar energy works

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy -

Sustainable Energy Coalition -

Solar Energy Industries Association -

Natural Resources Defense Council -

International Sustainable Energy Organization - The abundance of solar energy

Northeast Sustainable Energy Association

National Renewable Energy Laboratory - Solar research

US DOE - Solar Energy Technologies Program

Solar and Wind Energy Resource Assessment

Vote Solar Initiative

American Solar Energy Society

Go Solar California

El Paso Solar Energy Association

European Photovoltaic Industry Association

Florida Solar Energy Center

International Solar Energy Society

Solar Century

Solar Decathlon

Solar Generation Report

Solar Host

Solar Today

Solar Dome

Energy and Climate Change

In the United States, as in other parts of the world, citizens are increasingly concerned about the threats to our future posed by climate change and our addiction to fossil fuels. In turn, many US citizens recognize the need to take responsibility for ourselves and our country in transforming the ways we produce and consume energy -- in our households, communities, regions and nation.

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