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Renewable Energy - Take Action Against Climate Change |
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What Is Renewable Energy?
Renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies are key to creating a clean energy future for the world. Renewable energy is energy generated from sources such as wind, hydropower, solar, and biomass, among others. Most renewables do not emit greenhouse gases and all are constantly replenishing themselves. Conversely, nonrenewable energy sources are fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas, which emit greenhouse gases when burned and are finite in supply. Focusing on renewable energy is treating the problem of global climate change at the source.
Renewable energy accounted for 6% of total energy consumed in the U.S. in 2004 with biomass and hydroelectric together supplying over 90% of the renewable energy (source: Energy Information Administration, 2004).
The Role of Renewable Energy Consumption in the Nation’s Energy Supply, 2004
Of the four end-use markets for energy, in 2004 industry used the most renewable energy compared to residential, commercial or transportation. 97% of industry's renewable energy consumption came from biomass - primarily the burning of wood. Electricity generation is the greatest consumer (56% in 2006) of renewable resources with conventional hydroelectric accounting for nearly all renewable energy consumed by electric utilities. The residential marketplace remains small, accounting for 7% of all renewable energy consumed (source: EIA, 2004). |
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Renewable Energy Consumption by Source and Use |
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| Of the 6% of renewable energy that is consumed in the U.S., who uses it and which type of renewable energy is the main source? View this chart of renewable energy by use and source. |
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The Economics of Alternative Energy |
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| Renewable energy is becoming an economically viable alternative to nonrenewable resources. Learn about the economics of alternative energy. |
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