energy

Renewable energy and low-carbon/zero-carbon energy will play a key role in climate mitigation in both developed and developing countries. Increasing renewables on the electrical grid is essential for displacing emissions from fossil fuels. However, electricity generation accounts for only a part of greenhouse gas emissions, and renewables should not just be used as a distraction while we postpone action across all sectors of our economy.

Renewable energy is energy that has been sourced from a sustainable source. The most common renewable energy sources are:

• SOLAR ENERGY - Thermal or electrical energy generated when photovoltaic cells absorb sunlight

• WIND ENERGY - Electricity generated by wind moving the blades on a turbine generator

• HYDRO ENERGY - Electricity generated from a controlled flow of water that drives a turbine generator

• TIDAL ENERGY - Electricity generated from twice-daily tidal currents that drive a turbine generator

• GEOTHERMAL ENERGY - Electricity generated by harnessing the natural heat below the earth’s surface

• BIOMASS ENERGY - Electricity generated by from the burning plant materials, converting biomass to fuel, or via bacterial decomposition

Low-carbon and zero-carbon energy is energy that emits little or no greenhouse gas emissions from its generation, but it does not necessarily come from renewable sources. The most common low-carbon and zero-carbon energy sources are:

• NUCLEAR ENERGY - Energy generated from nuclear reactions that release nuclear energy to generate heat, which most frequently is then used in steam turbines to produce electricity in a nuclear power plant

• SOLAR ENERGY

• WIND ENERGY

• HYDRO ENERGY

Clean energy is energy derived from renewable + low-carbon/zero-carbon energy sources. The most common clean energy sources are:

• WIND ENERGY

• SOLAR ENERGY

• HYDRO ENERGY