Many people may be turned off by the sight of wind turbines on a hill, but this technology is becoming more affordable for the power industry to use, making it a major contributor to the nation’s electricity generation. Wind is now cheaper than coal or natural gas, and the price is continuing to drop.
The United States is a resource-rich country with the potential to produce more than 100 times our current energy demand using renewables. Renewables also offer significant benefits to our environment and human health. They generate significantly less greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels, reducing air pollution and climate change. Renewable energy sources include wind, solar, bioenergy (organic material burned as a fuel), and hydroelectric, including tidal and ocean energy.
Currently, the largest share of renewables used to generate electricity comes from hydropower. However, it relies on generally stable rainfall patterns and can be affected by climate-induced droughts and ecosystem changes. Renewable energy can also come from non-hydro sources, like biomass and geothermal.
Other sources of renewables include solar, wind, and bioenergy — for example, converting corn stover or waste to electricity. Another innovation is anaerobic digestion, which takes organic materials that would otherwise be thrown away and converts them to biogas.
Homeowners can make the switch to clean energy by purchasing or building renewables, and incorporating energy efficiency into their homes. They can also take advantage of federal and state incentives by visiting ENERGY STAR.