Renewable energy is a form of sustainable energy that is derived from resources that occur naturally and repetitively from the planet, itself. Forms of energy drawn from sources like wind, sunshine, and biomass are all examples renewable energy. Other terms which refer to this type of energy are “clean energy” or “green energy,” due to the fact that renewable energy doesn’t emit any pollution to the atmosphere as other sources of energy, like fossil fuels, do.
Fossil fuels were formed under the earth, hundreds, if not thousands, if not millions of years ago. Gasoline, oil, and natural gas are all fossil fuels, coming from the decomposition of plant and animal matter. Fossil fuels are known to transmit harmful emissions into the air.
Greenhouse gases are emitted from fossil fuel consumption and accumulate in our planet’s atmosphere. If fossil fuels are harmful to the environment, why have we kept using them so frequently? Why don’t we use clean energy all the time? The answers are actually quite simple.
Fossil fuels are often stored and built up for prolonged use over time, however, we cannot capture wind or sunshine in manners that will last for a considerable amount of time. When the wind blows infrequently or dies down completely, wind farms are often rendered useless in times when we might need them. Likewise, on overcast days or when the sun is hidden by clouds, solar panels do not provide enough energy for typical use.
Compounding the renewable energy problem is the reality is that in many cases, we are in are in a catch 22 of sorts. On the one hand, it won’t be widely adopted until it is readily available – and on the other hand, it won’t be readily available until it is widely adopted. That’s why Rogue Valley Clean Cities is partnering on projects locally like the LNG Refueling Station in White City and helping interested owners of Fleet Vehicles to convert to cleaner fuels.
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