Solar energy is a renewable energy source that can be used to generate electricity, heat, and

cool buildings.
Humans have used solar energy since the 7th century B.C., when they used sunlight to light
fires. The first solar cell capable of generating enough power to run every day electrical
equipment was developed in 1954.
How it works
Solar energy is captured from the sun's electromagnetic radiation in the form of light, heat,
and ultraviolet rays. Solar panels or collectors can be used to convert this energy into
electricity (photovoltaic) or thermal energy (photothermal).

Uses
Solar energy can be used for:
 Generating electricity
 Heating water
 Lighting
 Cooling
 Space heating
Benefits
Solar energy is a clean, abundant, and infinite energy source that doesn't create harmful
greenhouse gas emissions. It can help promote cleaner economies, improve people's well-
being, and create jobs.
Challenges
The initial cost of buying and installing solar panels is be high, but leasing options may
help. It's also a long-term investment that's better suited to property owners than renters.
Wind energy is a renewable energy source that converts the kinetic energy of wind into
electricity. Humans have been using wind energy for centuries, for tasks like sailing, pumping
water, and removing husks from grains. First Wind energy plant is started in 1986
How it works
Wind turbines use the wind's kinetic energy to spin the rotor of an electromagnetic generator,
which then converts the energy into electricity.
Types of wind turbines
Wind turbines come in a variety of sizes, with horizontal or vertical axes. Small turbines can
be used for charging batteries or powering remote devices, while larger turbines can
contribute to a domestic power supply.

Advantages
Wind power is a clean, renewable energy source that doesn't require burning fuels or produce
harmful emissions. It can also create jobs, benefit local communities, and lower energy costs.
Disadvantages
Some disadvantages of wind energy include:
 The large blades of wind turbines can harm or kill flying animals.
 Wind turbines can produce loud sounds that can be annoying to people and
disturb natural environments.
 Damaged wind turbines can be expensive to repair.

Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source that comes from the Earth's heat: started in
1970
What it is
Geothermal energy is the heat energy stored in the Earth's rocks, soils, and groundwater. The
word geothermal comes from the Greek words geo (earth) and therme (heat).
How it's used
Geothermal energy can be used for heating and cooling, or converted into electricity. For
example, geothermal plants can provide enough energy to power thousands of homes.
How it's generated
Wells are drilled into underground reservoirs to access the hot water and steam. Heat
exchangers then transfer the heat from the ground to a fluid that circulates through the
system.

Advantages
Geothermal energy is a clean, non-polluting energy source that produces less carbon dioxide
than fossil fuels. It's also inexhaustible because the Earth's core is constantly producing heat.
Disadvantages
Geothermal energy has some disadvantages, including:
Transportation and transmission: It's difficult to transport geothermal energy, and it can
only be used efficiently in nearby areas.
Installation costs: Geothermal plants are expensive to install and require a lot of investment
in materials and human resources.
Environmental impact: Drilling for geothermal plants can release toxic gases into the
environment.
Seismic activity: Regions with geothermal plants may experience minor seismic activity.
Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is a renewable energy technology that uses the
temperature difference between the ocean's surface and deep waters to generate electricity:
How it works
OTEC plants use pipes to bring hot surface water and cold deep water together, where they
pass through heat exchangers and condensers to spin turbines that generate electricity.

Where it's most effective

OTEC is most effective in tropical and subtropical regions where the temperature difference
between the surface and deep water is at least 20° Celsius.
Potential uses
OTEC can be used to generate electricity, desalinate water, cool, and in aquaculture.
Challenges
One challenge with OTEC is that the power it generates is needed on land, while the thermal
gradient it requires is found at sea.
Types of OTEC sites
There are three main types of OTEC sites: land-based, shelf-based, and floating. OTEC plant
started in 1993

Tidal energy is a renewable energy source that converts the natural rise and fall of tides into
electricity. Here are some facts about tidal energy:
How it works
Tidal energy is generated by using turbines to rotate blades and create electricity. The
turbines are similar to wind turbines, but ocean water is denser than air, so it applies more
force on the turbines.
Tidal range
Tidal energy systems require a tidal range of at least 10 feet to produce electricity
economically.
Types of tidal energy systems
Tidal energy systems include tidal barrages, tidal fences, and tidal turbines. Tidal barrages are
the most efficient tidal energy source.
Advantages
Tidal energy is predictable, has a low visual impact, and can work on or off the grid. It also
has a minimal environmental impact compared to fossil fuel-based power generation.
Disadvantages
Tidal energy has several disadvantages, including:
 High construction costs
 Limited locations where it can be built
 Adverse effects on marine life
 Energy transport from the coast to the land requires investment
India
India has potential for tidal energy, with the Gulf of Cambay and the Gulf of Kutch on the
west coast of Gujarat having high tidal ranges started in 2007.

Biomass energy is a renewable energy source that comes from plants and animals, and can be
used to produce heat, electricity, and transportation fuels:
Definition
Biomass is organic material or waste that contains carbon, hydrogen, and other chemical
components. It can be living or recently dead, but generally excludes coal, oil, and other
fossilized remains.
Examples
Biomass sources include wood, agricultural crops, algae, animal waste, and municipal solid
waste.
Uses
Biomass can be used to generate electricity, produce transportation fuels, and create
bioproducts.
Carbon neutral
Living biomass absorbs carbon as it grows, and releases it when used for energy, creating a
carbon-neutral cycle.
Conversion
Biomass can be converted to different forms of energy through thermal, chemical, or
biochemical processes.
Role in India
Biomass is a key part of India's energy strategy, especially in rural areas where it's used for
cooking and heating started in 1994.
Role in the U.S.
Biomass was the largest source of energy in the U.S. until the mid-1800s, and accounted for
about 5% of the country's total primary energy consumption in 2023.
Hydrogen and fuel cells are a clean, efficient, and versatile energy source that can be used for
many applications:
Hydrogen
A clean fuel that can be produced from a variety of sources, including natural gas, biomass,
nuclear power, and renewable energy. Hydrogen is three times more powerful than gasoline
and other fossil fuels.
Fuel cells
Use hydrogen or other fuels to produce electricity, water, and heat. Fuel cells are used in a
variety of applications, including:
 Transportation: Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are being developed by several
manufacturers.
 Power plants: Fuel cell power plants can provide electricity for individual
facilities, microgrids, and remote locations.
 Auxiliary power on aircraft: Fuel cells can be used to replace fossil fuels for
starting engines and powering on-board electrics.
 Submarines: Fuel cells have been used to allow submarines to remain
submerged for weeks.
 Forklift trucks: Fuel cells provide benefits over battery power, including
faster refueling and a lack of degradation at low operating temperatures.
 History
The first references to hydrogen fuel cells appeared in 1838. NASA used the alkaline fuel cell
(AFC) from the mid-1960s.