Types of Renewable Energy

Geothermal Energy

  • Geothermal energy can be captured from the heat stored beneath the earth’s surface or from the absorbed heat in the atmosphere and oceans.
  • It is a renewable energy source because the water is replenished by rainfall and the heat is continuously produced inside the earth.
  • It can be captured from naturally-occurring underground steams and used to produce electricity.
  • Heating and cooling can also be achieved by taking advantage of the temperature differential between outside air and the ground or groundwater.

Renewable Energy

  • Renewable energy is energy from a natural resource that is a sustainable, meaning it can be naturally replenished or renewed within a human lifespan.
  • Some natural resources such as moving water, wind and sunshine, are not at risk of depletion from use for energy production.
  • Increasing the province’s sources of renewable energy supply will help clean up our air, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and combat climate change.

For more information: Feed-in Tarrif Program (FIT)

Solar Energy

  • Solar power uses energy from the sun to directly generate electricity and is an abundant, renewable and sustainable energy source.
  • Two active solar technologies that involve electrical or mechanical equipment are becoming common:
    • Solar collectors or panels that are used to heat water or ventilation air for use in buildings (solar thermal).
    • Solar photovoltaic technology that uses solar cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity (solar PV).
  • The benefits of solar power are tremendous. Solar power:
    • Decreases local air pollution
    • Doesn’t interfere with the natural environment
    • Emits no carbon dioxide reducing global greenhouse gases
    • Provides quiet, clean, low-maintenance generation
    • Contributes to local energy self-reliance

Wind Power

  • Wind power is one of the oldest sources of harnessed renewable energy known to mankind.
  • In the past, windmills were regularly used to pump water and grind grains.
  • Today, wind turbines are used to capture wind energy and convert it to electricity.
  • The most favorable locations for wind turbines are where wind is unimpeded by trees or buildings.