Renewable Energy: definition, type and production methods

What are renewable energies? What are they? How are they produced? In the following article we give the answer to all these questions in a simple and concise way.

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What are renewable energies

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Renewable energies are energies capable of regenerating at the end of the cycle, and unlike non-renewable energies, they do not pollute and do not exhaust natural resources, so their use represents a fundamental step towards the process of reducing carbon emissions produced by the use of traditional energy sources. Access to renewable resources is not uniformly guaranteed, since it depends on geographical location, the availability of natural resources such as the sun and wind, the presence of suitable sites and other variables.

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Types of Renewable Energy

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‍Solar Energy Solar energy is the energy associated with solar radiation from which it is possible to produce electricity, through photovoltaic panels, and heat, through solar thermal panels. In the case of photovoltaic panels, the conversion of solar energy into electricity occurs when the photons of sunlight hit the silicon present in the photovoltaic cells, freeing the electrons and thus producing Continuous electricity. In order to be used in homes, continuous electrical energy is transformed into Alternating energy with a device called an inverter. Unlike photovoltaic, the solar thermal panel It does not convert solar rays into electrical energy but simply accumulates their heat. Solar panels are formed by tubes in which a fluid, called a thermoreactor, circulates, which after being heated in the sun is conveyed close to the water tanks, heating it. When the liquid has cooled down, the cycle will start all over again.

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Wind Energy Wind energy is the kinetic energy produced by a moving mass of air, transformed into energy usable by man through the use of wind turbines. The production of electricity takes place through the movement of the blades, which are connected to a rotor that sends the mechanical energy generated by the wind to a transmission shaft, connected in turn to an electrical generator.

‍Hydroelectric Energy Hydroelectric energy derives from energy, the kinetic energy of large masses of water that fall under gravity. Le hydroelectric power plants are always formed by a barrier work, a dam or a crossbar, which blocks the water forming a hydroelectric basin or reservoir. The water is directed from the tank to the hydroelectric turbines that produce mechanical energy, converted into electrical energy through a rotating electric generator.

‍Geothermal Energy Geothermal energy exploits the heat contained within the Earth's crust to produce clean electricity through geothermal power plants. There are three types of geothermal power plants: those with dominant steam or dry team, those with dominant water or flash, and those with binary cycle. Nelle Dry Steam power plants steam at very high temperature and pressure is used to drive a turbine coupled to an electrical energy generator. Nelle Flash power plants the liquid is separated from the steam, which in turn powers the turbines to produce energy. Nelle binary cycle power plants a fluid with a lower boiling point than that of water is flowed alongside the boiling water, transforming the fluid into steam that will drive the turbine.

‍Biomass energy Biomass energy is produced through the use of biomass, or any organic matter generated by plants and animals, which is treated to be used as biofuel in biomass power plants. Examples of biomass are firewood waste, urban organic waste and food production waste. The biomass is burned in a combustion chamber, producing the heat necessary to transform water into steam, which in turn will drive a turbine connected to an alternator that will produce alternating electricity.

Marine Energy Marine energy is the energy deriving from ocean water masses that comes in various forms: - Energy from marine currents: the kinetic energy generated by marine currents is used to make blades move, using the same principle as wind turbines. - Wave or cymoelectric energy: It uses the kinetic energy present in wave motion but is currently still being tested. - Thalassothermic: It uses the thermal energy deriving from the difference in temperature between the sea surface and the ocean depths. -

‍Osmotic Energy: also called salt gradient energy, is derived from the difference in salt concentration between seawater and fresh water. - Tidal wave: uses the movement of water caused by tides to generate energy. Unfortunately, today, marine energy represents a small fraction of global energy production, despite the fact that this type of green energy has unlimited potential. Renewable energy in Italy According to the monthly report on the Italian electricity system produced by Terna, in September 2023, renewable energy sources contributed 43.8% of total electricity production, an encouraging fact that marks an increase in the use of green energy compared to previous years.

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Written by Emilia Meleddu