Renewable Power Generation

Renewable Energy Tax Credits reduce project CAPEX via ITC/PTC incentives for solar, wind, battery storage, and EV charging, supporting grid modernization, power electronics, and IEEE-compliant interconnections while accelerating decarbonization and load flexibility.

What Are Renewable Energy Tax Credits?

ITC/PTC credits cut capex for electrical systems—solar PV, wind, storage, EV chargers—boosting ROI and grid reliability.

✅ Offsets inverter, transformer, and protection system costs

✅ Applies to solar, wind, storage, microgrids, and EVSE

✅ Encourages IEEE 1547 interconnects and smart inverters

The Government of Canada wants Canadians to invest in a healthier environment, a more stable energy future and a more competitive economy, so it offers innovative Renewable Energy Tax Credits. For an overview of complementary programs, the resource at alternative energy incentives outlines how federal and provincial measures align with investment goals today.

In order to achieve these goals, two specific Renewable Energy Tax Credit measures are available to encourage investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects:

• Class 43.1 in Schedule II of the Income Tax Act allows taxpayers an accelerated Renewable Energy Tax Credit write-off of certain equipment that is designed to produce energy in a more efficient way or to produce energy from alternative renewable energy sources.

• Canadian Renewable and Conservation Expenses (CRCE) is a category of fully deductible expenditures associated with the start-up of renewable energy and energy conservation projects for which at least 50 per cent of the capital costs of the property would be described in Class 43.1.

Investors can also consult alternative energy tax credits to understand how project structures interact with other deductions and incentives available in Canada.

Investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy are helping to reduce Canada’s consumption of fossil fuels and minimize the production of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change and other environmental problems. These investments also contribute to the development of new technologies1 and lead to export opportunities. It’s all part of the government’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable development by integrating economic and environmental goals. Further context on market benefits is provided in clean renewable energy discussions that track growth trends and policy impacts across sectors worldwide.

Sustainable development will ensure the continued prosperity of Canadians while safeguarding our natural heritage for future generations. As deployment expands, insights into renewable power generation can help stakeholders benchmark performance and grid integration approaches in comparable jurisdictions.

Canadian Renewable Energy Tax Credits and Conservation Expenses

The early development phase of renewable energy and energy conservation projects typically involves certain intangible costs, such as feasibility and resource assessment studies. The CRCE category of expenditures was introduced in the 1996 Budget to allow investors Renewable Energy Tax Credits to fully write-off certain intangible costs associated with investments in renewable energy and energy conservation projects. CRCE is intended to promote the development of conservation and renewable energy projects in the same way that is currently done for investments in other types of resource activities.

Under CRCE, Renewable Energy Tax Credits allow eligible expenditures are 100 per cent deductible in the year they are incurred or can be carried forward indefinitely for deduction in later years. These expenditures can also be renounced to shareholders through a flow-through share agreement, providing the agreement was entered into before the expense was incurred. To be eligible, costs must be incurred after December 5, 1996. For the legislative basis of flow-through shares and CRCE expenditures, please refer to Sections 66 and 66.1 of the Income Tax Act and to Section 1219 of the Income Tax Regulations.

In parallel, understanding how markets value renewable energy credits can enhance financial models where environmental attributes are monetized alongside tax deductions.

Class 43.1 Accelerated Capital Cost Allowance

Class 43.1 provides an accelerated rate of write-off for certain capital expenditures on equipment that is designed to produce energy in a more efficient way or to produce energy from alternative renewable sources.

Class 43.1 allows taxpayers to deduct the cost of eligible equipment at up to 30 per cent per year, on a declining balance basis. Without this accelerated Renewable Energy Tax Credit write-off, many of these assets would be depreciated at annual rates of 4, or 20 percent (with the exception of expenses eligible for the pre-existing Class 34, which were deductible at an annual rate of up to 50 percent). In planning capital acquisitions, awareness of broader trends in alternative energy development can inform equipment selection and timing for making claims under this class.

What Types of Systems Qualify?

In general, the following types of systems qualify for CRCE Renewable Energy Tax Credit or Class 43.1 write-off:

Electricity Generation Systems

• certain cogeneration and specified-waste fuelled2 electrical generation systems
• small-scale hydro-electric installations (not exceeding 15 megawatts of average annual capacity)
• wind energy electrical generation systems
• enhanced combined cycle systems
• expansion engines
• photovoltaic electrical generation systems (three kilowatts capacity or larger)

Specified-waste fuels, both for electricity generation and heat production, are defined as municipal waste, wood waste, landfill gas or digester gas.

• geo-thermal electrical generation systems
• electrical generating systems using solution gas that would otherwise be flared during the production of crude oil

Thermal Energy Systems

• active solar systems (including groundsource heat pumps)
• heat recovery systems
• specified-waste fuelled heat production equipment

Note: Thermal energy systems qualify only if their primary purpose is to produce thermal energy for use directly in an industrial process.

Eligible Expenses
Intangible expenses eligible under CRCE Renewable Energy Tax Credits include:

• the cost of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies of suitable sites and potential markets for projects that will have equipment included in Class 43.1
• costs related to determining the extent, location and quality of energy resources
• negotiation and site approval costs
• certain site preparation costs that are not directly related to the installation of equipment
• service connection costs incurred to transmit power from the project to the electric utility

Test Wind Turbines

Costs related to the acquisition and installation of a test wind turbine – defined as “the first wind turbine installed at the site of a proposed wind farm, whose primary purpose is to test the energy production at the site” – are included in the CRCE category of expenses. In order to be eligible, a favourable prior opinion must be issued by the Minister of Natural Resources Canada for each installation.

Tax Incentives
The following types of costs are eligible for an accelerated rate under Class 43.1:

• machinery and equipment
• related soft costs for design, engineering and commissioning
• other services required to make the system operational

Many proponents also leverage alternative energy grants to complement accelerated allowances and reduce upfront cash requirements for project execution.

Depending on all the facts of a particular situation, the cost of modifications and improvements to existing qualifying equipment may also be eligible, provided that:

• the costs increase the capacity or performance of the equipment
• the resulting system continues to meet the conditions for qualification

The following are generally ineligible under Class 43.1:

• operating costs
• spare parts inventories
• foundations and structures, except those associated with qualifying small-scale hydro-electric, photovoltaic and wind energy conversion systems
• electrical distribution systems
• electrical transmission systems, except those associated with qualifying small-scale hydro-electric, photovoltaic and wind energy conversion systems
• used equipment, except if the equipment was included in Class 34 or 43.1 of the vendor, remains at the same site in Canada and is not more than five years old Generally, to be eligible for Class 43.1, an asset must be acquired after February 21, 1994, by a Canadian taxpayer for use in a business in Canada.

For more information on CRCE or Class 43.1, please order the guide entitled Class 43.1 Technical Guide and Technical Guide to Canadian Renewable and Conservation Expenses (CRCE) at a cost of $100 plus applicable taxes, available from the following address. A written prior opinion can be obtained by writing to:

Class 34/43.1 Secretariat
CANMET Energy Technology Centre
Natural Resources Canada
1 Haanel Drive, Bldg. 3
Nepean, ON K1A 1M1
Tel.: (613) 996-0890
Fax: (613) 995-7868

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What Is Renewable Energy Learn the Facts? Explore clean energy sources—solar, wind, hydro, geothermal—grid integration, power electronics, inverters, energy storage, smart grids, decarbonization, reliability, and efficiency in electrical systems operation.

What Is Renewable Energy Learn the Facts?

Electricity from solar, wind, and hydro, converted by power electronics and integrated to grid for low-carbon supply.

✅ Power conversion: MPPT, inverters, and grid-tied converters

✅ Grid integration: protection, synchronization, and power quality

✅ Storage and control: BESS, EMS, frequency and voltage support

What Is Renewable Energy? Renewable Energy is popularly considered as any source of sustainable energy that has as its source the renewable, natural environment. Most souces of renewable energy include wind energy, solar energy, water energy and biomass energy, as well as geothermal energy. In most cases, renewable energies are replenished by the natural environment. Non renewable energy resources, such as fossil fuels, cannot be replenished. After all, it took eons of time to create deposits of fossil fuels sources and these deposits are in very limited supply and cannot be replaced. For a deeper primer on definitions and categories, see this overview from the Electricity Forum at what is renewable energy which clarifies common terms.

Wind energy, solar energy, water energy and biomass and geothermal energies comprise most of the plantet's renewable energy sources. Solar energy can be turned into electric power through the use of photovoltaic panels. This electric power can be consumed by many electrical appliances. You can explore how wind, solar, hydro, biomass, and geothermal compare in this guide to renewable energy sources for further context.

What Is Renewable Energy? These are systems that are a key part of the portfolio of electricity solutions. For example, today, traditional biomass represents the most important source of power in the developing world, with a 36 per cent share of total electricity consumption. Used in a sustainable way, biomass and other RE sources do not generate additional greenhouse gas emissions. Understanding how these options contribute to grids is outlined in an introduction to renewable electricity and its role in modern power mixes.

RE solutions offer many advantages. Since they use indigenous energy sources like wind, the sun, and rivers of water, they contribute to supply security by reducing reliance on electricity imports. There are a variety of national situations in terms of needs and resources, but renewable ernergy resources are largely available in most developing and developed countries. Creating an enabling environment which contributes directly to local economic development. Renewable energy installations bring jobs, capital, and sources of revenue to local communities, often to rural areas where these benefits are needed most. Policy makers often group these technologies under renewable alternative energy when designing incentives and community programs.

In certain remote locations, where electricity and/or fossil fuel infrastructure does not reach, RE systems can be the only cost effective option. In addition, modern renewable energy systems generate far less air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions than fossil energy systems thus reducing the threat of climate change and health risks. Depending on the installation, renewable ener gy projects may be smaller in scale and not as technically complex to operate and maintain as conventional energy projects. For all of these reasons, renewable energy is a valuable resource in addressing the world’s growing electricity needs. These lower-emission options are commonly described as clean renewable energy that supports public health goals.

RE form a relatively small part of the commercial energy portfolio today, but the costs of developing, installing, and delivering renewable energy to consumers have been falling, due largely to improvements in system designs and manufacturing techniques. In many applications, particularly in those instances where gaining access to conventional energy systems is difficult or costly, the market share of RE has been growing steadily in recent years. As learning and scale improve, the affordability of renewable power continues to improve across diverse applications.

What Is Renewable Energy? Characterising the impact of cost reductions and market share increases is the “learning curve.” Simply speaking, RE manufacturers and developers gain valuable experience with each new installation. The level of industrial experience with conventional energy systems is many decades longer than that for renewable energy systems. With modern research, development, and technology transfer techniques at their disposal, the RE industries have achieved progress. But because of this relative immaturity of some ernergy sources, many industry analysts expect cost reductions and performance improvements to continue at a faster pace in the RE sector, thus gaining greater competitiveness and increasing the likelihood that RE uptake will expand in the future. Case studies of maturing technologies highlight how integrated renewable energy systems can accelerate these learning effects.

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Tidal energy is a renewable power source that harnesses ocean tides through the use of turbines and barrages. Utilizing predictable tidal cycles, it supports clean electricity generation, reduces dependence on fossil fuels, and strengthens sustainable energy systems.

What is tidal energy?

Tidal energy is the conversion of ocean tides into electricity using turbines, barrages, or tidal stream systems, offering a predictable and sustainable renewable resource.

✅ Harnesses predictable tidal cycles for renewable power

✅ Reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers emissions

✅ Supports clean, sustainable electricity generation

It is a renewable power harnessed from the rise and fall of the ocean's tides. The ocean's vast power is one of the most promising resources, capable of generating electricity to meet the needs of communities worldwide. With the growing demand for clean, sustainable sources, tide-generated power has been thrust into the spotlight as an effective and environmentally friendly option. Understanding tidal power highlights how Renewable Power Generation technologies are diversifying to create a more sustainable grid.

What is Tidal Energy? It is an ocean energy resource; tide-generated power is extracted from the natural ebb and flow of coastal tides. The key difference between tidal energy and other renewable sources, such as wind and solar power, lies in the predictability and reliability of the high tides. Additionally, the water in the ocean is approximately 800 times denser than air, making it a more concentrated and efficient power source compared to wind turbines. Governments worldwide are encouraging clean projects like tidal power through Renewable Energy Tax Credits, which lower the cost of adoption.

Tidal Barrage Systems for Renewable Power

Two primary methods of capturing tidal energy are tidal barrage and tidal stream generators. A tidal barrage is a large-scale engineering project that involves constructing a dam across a tidal estuary or bay. Then, as the water level changes during the high and low tidal barrage, water flows through turbines, generating electricity. The most notable tidal barrage projects include La Rance in France and the Sihwa Lake tide-generated Power Station in South Korea. 

Tidal Stream Generators and Ocean Turbines

Tidal stream generators, on the other hand, utilize underwater turbines positioned in tidal streams to harness the kinetic energy of the moving water. Like wind turbines, tide-generated turbines rotate as water flows over their blades, converting it into electricity. This technology is less intrusive to the environment and marine life than tidal barrage systems.

Advantages of Tidal Energy for Clean Electricity

There are numerous advantages to utilizing it as a renewable source. First, tidal energy is predictable, making planning for power generation and grid integration easier. Additionally, tide-generated power is environmentally friendly, as it produces no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollution during operation. This makes it a desirable option for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and combating climate change.

Disadvantages and Challenges of Tidal Power

However, it also has its disadvantages. The initial cost of constructing large-scale tidal power plants, particularly large-scale tidal barrage projects, can be substantial. This kind of generation is also limited to specific coastal locations with sufficient range and appropriate topography. Furthermore, concerns exist about the potential impact on marine life and coastal ecosystems, although research is ongoing to develop more sustainable and less disruptive technologies.

Tidal Energy vs Wind and Solar Power

Regarding efficiency, it is competitive with other renewable power sources, such as wind and solar power. In addition, the density of water makes tidal power generation more efficient in terms of power output per unit of installed capacity. However, the technology's scalability and geographic limitations make it challenging to deploy tidal energy globally. Tide-generated systems complement other clean technologies featured in our articles on Biomass Renewable Energy and Clean Renewable Energy.

Environmental Impact of Tidal Power Plants

The environmental impact is generally considered to be low, with minimal greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, or waste production. However, localized effects on marine ecosystems and sediment transport may occur, depending on the type and scale of the project. Therefore, it is crucial to perform thorough environmental assessments and monitoring to minimize the potential negative effects of tide-generated power installations. To see how tidal power contributes to decarbonization efforts, visit our Renewable Electricity and Renewable Power Sources guides.

Global Examples of Tidal Power Stations

The best locations for generating tidal energy are areas with a high tidal range, strong tidal currents, and suitable coastal topography. Some of the world's most promising sites include the Bay of Fundy in Canada, the Bristol Channel in the United Kingdom, and the northwest coast of Australia. In addition, countries such as France, South Korea, and the UK are already home to some of the largest tide-generated power stations and continue to invest in this renewable power technology. As part of global Renewable Energy Projects, tide-generated power installations provide reliable baseload power alongside solar and wind.

Future of Tidal Energy in Renewable Systems

What is Tidal Energy? Tidal energy is a promising renewable resource with significant potential for generating clean, sustainable electricity. While there are challenges to overcome, such as high initial costs and site-specific limitations, ongoing research and technological advancements aim to make tide-generated electricity a more accessible and environmentally friendly option for the future. For a deeper comparison beyond 'What is Tidal Energy,' explore our article on 'What is Distributed Generation?' which shows how local systems, such as tidal plants, strengthen energy resilience.

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Clean renewable energy powers electrification with solar, wind, and hydro, leveraging power electronics, energy storage, smart grids, and grid integration to cut carbon, enhance reliability, and optimize load management for sustainable electrical engineering.

What Is Clean Renewable Energy?

Clean renewable energy uses low-carbon sources and advanced grid tech to deliver sustainable electric power.

✅ Power electronics enable efficient conversion and control

✅ Energy storage stabilizes variable solar and wind output

✅ Smart grids and microgrids improve reliability and resilience

Clean Renewable Energy
Widespread use of clean renewable energy technologies (RET) is vital in securing a sustainable global energy system. Advantages of RET include:

• In contrast to conventional energy sources, the potential supply from renewables is essentially infinite and largely free of external costs.
• While clean renewable energy technologies currently still have relatively high installation costs, operating costs are low.
• In many countries, some RET are already competitive with conventional energy sources, for example biomass or biogas applications in Thailand. For most RET, costs will fall significantly below those of conventional energy sources within the next two decades.
• Increased use of renewable energy technologies is an insurance against rising import prices of fossil fuels.
• Renewable energy technology equipment can be produced domestically. For example, China has become one of the leading manufacturers of low-temperature solar thermal applications.

For readers comparing different technologies, this overview of renewable power sources outlines their characteristics and typical applications, aiding informed evaluation.

Given the mention of biomass competitiveness, this primer on biomass renewable energy explains feedstocks, conversion pathways, and typical project scales.

The number of countries where clean renewable energy technologies have seen significant market growth is steadily increasing. However,in most countries of the world, dissemination of new renewable energy technologies is still very limited. A range of barriers – financial, economic, institutional, political and technical – impede implementation. Key barriers include energy markets that are either monopolistic and skewed by subsidies, lack of energy awareness of renewable energy technologies potential and benefits, and a lack of technical and institutional capacity and financing means. So far only a few countries have implemented clean air energy policies promoting renewable energy technologies. To align stakeholders and policies, a concise primer on renewable energy fundamentals clarifies benefits, limitations, and common misconceptions.

Under the Kyoto Protocol, most public and private renewable energy project development companies can generate and market "certified emission reductions" from energy projects that involve renewable energy technologies that reduce carbon emissions in under developed areas of the world. The Kyoto Protocol provides financial incentives for shifting countries to less emissions-intensive economies. But while the Kyoto Protocol is able to lower some of the key barriers to renewable energy project development, especially in regard to the financial and economic aspects, it is not designed to cancel the obstacles. Adjusting these many conditions will attract more renewable energy technologies. These mechanisms can stimulate investment in renewable power projects across emerging markets, improving bankability and accelerating deployment.

Addressing the barriers that discriminate against renewable energy technologies in countries usually requires a mixture of well-designed and mutually supportive policies. Probably the leading issue is the economic performance of renewable energy technologies compared to the traditional energy sources that currently dominate the world's energy demand.There are two main approaches to addressing this central problem for developing renewable energy policies and technologies:

Effective policy design should reflect the maturity and grid-integration needs of different renewable energy sources so that incentives target real system constraints.

1. Bringing down the cost of renewable energy technologies and their related energy services 2. Abolishing market distortions that discriminate against the technologies Both approaches are reinforced by transparent market rules that value renewable electricity for its reliability contributions, flexibility, and environmental attributes.

Measures to address specific economic barriers include priority setting at project level by host countries, development of a suitable legal frameworks. This is not to say that Industrialised countries and the private sector cannot provide assistance such as building capacity and provding financing. But leading industrialized nations should provide international assistance to attract investment in renewable energy technologies. Clear definitions of what is renewable energy support coherent eligibility criteria and measurement frameworks in financing programs.

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Wind Turbine Theft an Emerging Threat to Renewable Energy Infrastructure drives copper theft, SCADA breaches, and component vandalism, undermining grid reliability, power electronics, asset monitoring, and substation security via weak telemetry and inadequate intrusion detection.

Why Is Wind Turbine Theft an Emerging Threat to Renewable Energy Infrastructure?

It compromises SCADA, power electronics, and grid protection, causing outages, safety risks, and costly downtime.

✅ Targets copper, rare-earths, converters; degrades power quality.

✅ Exposes SCADA/PLC networks; weak auth and unpatched firmware.

✅ Disrupts protection relays, yaw/pitch control, and grid code compliance.

As the global energy landscape shifts towards sustainability, wind power has emerged as a cornerstone of renewable energy. However, a growing concern is threatening the integrity of this clean energy source: the theft of wind turbine components. This issue not only undermines the efficiency of wind farms but also poses significant economic and operational challenges. As stakeholders evaluate risk, understanding the fundamentals of renewable energy provides perspective on how theft disrupts larger decarbonization goals.

The Scope of the Problem

Wind turbines are complex machines composed of various valuable components, including copper wiring, rare earth magnets, and electronic systems. These materials are attractive targets for thieves due to their high resale value. Incidents of theft have been reported globally, with turbines being dismantled and parts sold on the black market. In some cases, entire turbines have been stolen, leading to substantial financial losses for operators. Industry primers such as renewable energy facts outline why critical materials attract theft in secondary markets.

Economic Implications

The financial impact of turbine theft is multifaceted. Beyond the immediate loss of equipment, operators face increased insurance premiums, higher maintenance costs, and potential fines for non-compliance with safety regulations. The theft of components also leads to extended downtimes as replacements are sourced, further affecting energy production and revenue. These losses ripple into PPA obligations and grid forecasts, as disruptions reduce expected renewable power output during peak demand windows.

Security Measures and Challenges

To combat this growing threat, wind farm operators are implementing enhanced security measures. These include installing surveillance cameras, employing security personnel, and utilizing GPS tracking systems for turbine components. Despite these efforts, the vast and often remote locations of wind farms make them difficult to monitor effectively. This challenge is compounded by the rapid pace of technological advancement, which can outstrip the implementation of security protocols. Blended approaches that pair physical hardening with community engagement have proven effective across other renewable power sources in similarly remote locations.

Legal and Regulatory Responses

Governments and regulatory bodies are beginning to recognize the severity of turbine theft. In some regions, legislation has been introduced to regulate the sale of second-hand turbine components and to impose stricter penalties for theft. However, enforcement remains inconsistent, and the international nature of the wind energy supply chain complicates efforts to track and recover stolen goods. Clearer resale controls also protect consumer confidence in certified renewable electricity markets and warranty frameworks.

Broader Implications for Renewable Energy

The theft of wind turbine components highlights a broader issue within the renewable energy sector: the vulnerability of infrastructure to criminal activity. As the industry grows, so too does the potential for exploitation by organized crime. This underscores the need for comprehensive security strategies that encompass not only physical protection but also cyber defenses to safeguard against a range of threats. Coordinated intelligence sharing across operators of diverse renewable energy sources can expose cross-site patterns and organized groups.

Conclusion

While wind energy remains a cornerstone of the global push towards sustainability, the theft of turbine components presents a significant challenge that must be addressed. Through a combination of enhanced security measures, stricter regulations, and international cooperation, the renewable energy sector can mitigate this threat and continue to provide clean, reliable power for the future. Doing so strengthens public trust in clean renewable energy systems that communities increasingly rely upon.

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Renewable energy sources power modern grids via solar photovoltaics, wind turbines, and hydropower, using power electronics, inverters, smart grid controls, and energy storage to enhance reliability, grid integration, load balancing, and efficient transmission.

What Are Renewable Energy Sources?

Systems that convert solar, wind, and hydro energy into electricity using inverters and controls for grid compatibility.

✅ Employs power electronics: MPPT, PWM inverters, and converters

✅ Integrates with smart grids for frequency, voltage, and VAR control

✅ Requires storage (batteries, flywheels) for intermittency mitigation

Renewable Energy Sources are any renewable energy source that can be turned into the generation of electricity. Most renewable energy systems depend on natural souces of energy such as solar energy, wave energy, water energy, wind energy, etc that takes advantage of these energy souces to facilitate the conversion of those energies through the mechanical action of a generator to manufacture electricity. Also energy in the form of heat from deep in the crust of the Earth can be converted into electric power. This is known as "geothermal energy" production. There are other instances in which electricity can be generated from biofuel energy and fuel cell technology. The main advantage of renewable energy sources is that they are considered non-polluting but some can be unreliable, depending on when the sun shines and the wind blows, which is not how electricity is consumed. For a broader overview of definitions and technologies, see this guide to what renewable energy entails for additional context.

Despite inherent problems with the technology behind renewable energy sources, increasing environmental pressure is forcing development at an increasing pace. By the end of 2002, worldwide wind-power generation had exceeded 30 megawatts and had reached an annual growth rate of 25 per cent. Further insights into generation trends are summarized in this overview of renewable electricity with data on deployment.

Renewable Energy Sources

For readers comparing technologies, this summary of the main forms of alternative energy outlines typical applications.

Wind Energy Wind Energy Researchers recently calculated wind power's global potential. They have concluded that wind at many specific locations could produce more than enough electric power to meet world electricity demand. Comparative resource maps and case studies are available in this overview of alternative energy sources for deeper exploration.

Solar Energy The amount of solar energy by any measure is also enormous. Every hour more energy strikes the surface of the Earth than is consumed globally in a year.14 According to the DOE’s Solar Energy Technologies Program, there is on average between 2.8 and 6.2 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of sunlight available per square meter (m2) each day.15 The exact amount of sunlight depends on the region and the season. In the United States, the annual average is 4.8 kWh/m2 per day. Regional insolation data and technology basics are summarized in this renewable energy facts explainer for reference.

Advanced Hydro Hydro-electric power generation currently produces 10 per cent of the electricity production in the United States and is a clean source of renewable energy. However, mega dams and stations have a history of causing negative environmental impacts. Emerging fish-friendly designs and storage options are profiled in this overview of alternative energy solutions addressing environmental trade-offs.

Biomass Biomass is the burning of organic matter – typically agricultural crops and grasses – to produce heat or electricity. Biomass, which is different than solar and wind energy, does contribute significantly to world carbon dioxide emission levels. These emissions, on the other hand, can be offset through plantations of new crops and forests, which absorb carbon dioxide. For biomass to be a significant source of non-carbon emitting renewable energy, plants must be raised with little cultivation and fertilizer, and then transported over short distances, and harvested by methods that do not spoil the environment. Broader market trends and policy drivers are discussed in this guide to renewable alternative energy with practical examples.

Importantly, renewable energy sources produce virtually no greenhouse gas emissions and can effectively address climate change. If unchecked, the disruption of the earth’s atmosphere poses the greatest threat to humankind in our lifetimes. Continuing to fill the atmosphere with greenhouse gases will melt the ice caps, increase sea levels around the world, bring on more intense weather patterns, and adversely affect and disrupt food production, while destroying vast areas of the biosphere. Millions of inhabitants may be without food, shelter and clean water, which could cause political and social revolution and chaos. According to a studies, renewable energy souces, combined with industrial, commercial and institutional energy efficiency measures could decrease greenhouse gas emission pollution by as much as 70 per cent. With relatively little capital and short times for deployment, renewable energy sources could start to positively address global climate issues more rapidly than, say, nuclear power.

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