Renewable energy sources

Renewable energy sources are ones that won't get used up or run out. There are several types of renewable energy sources but hydroelectric and wind energy currently supply the most energy.

Hydro-electric

High dams and reservoirs sometimes have hydro-electric power stationsPower stations generate electric current in very large quantities for supply to the national grid. nearby. The water falls under gravity, travelling through huge pipes to get to the power station. In the power station, the energy stored in the falling water is transferred to a turbine. The turbine rotates which in turn, rotates a generatorA machine that causes an electric current to flow in wires by taking energy as movement and transferring it to energy as moving charge.. The generator causes electric current to flow by electromagnetic inductionWhen a wire passes close to a magnet (through a magnetic field), an electric current is generated in the wire. in the wires it is connected to. We often say, 'electricity is generated'.

Wind

Windfarm

Wind turbine

A wind turbine contains a rotor connected with some gears to a generator. The generator works in the same way as the ones found in power stations - but are much smaller. The gears make the generators spin fast even when the rotor is spinning slowly.

A collection of wind turbines is called a wind farm. The electrical voltage generated in a wind farm is lower than with fossil fuel, nuclear or hydroelectric power stations.

Other renewable energy sources

Other sources of renewable energy which can be used to generate electricity include solar power from the sun, tidal energy from the sea and burning biomass - that's waste plant materials like crops and animal waste.

Did you know?

The first turbine engines were designed by Charles Parson (1854-1931). Today turbine engines used to generate electricity are still based on his designs.
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The ampere is named after André-Marie Ampère (1775-1836). He discovered many of the mathematical principles of electromagnetism.
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) developed the first lightning conductor after flying a kite in a thunderstorm. A spectacular but very dangerous experiment!
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Fossil fuels won't go on for ever - gas could run out in 40 years.
Today we still use words that Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) introduced: battery, conductor, positive and negative charge, electric shock and electrician.
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Thomas Alva Edison 1847-1931 is one of the most successful inventors ever, applying for over 1,300 patents by 1910, mainly to do with electrical or mechanical development.
Save energy - Boil just enough water for the number of hot drinks you want to make - that way you won't waste energy.
Save energy - Make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are full before you turn them on and use the lower temperature settings.
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In August 1887 the London Electric Supply Corporation commissioned Ferranti to build the first power station. Today our electricity supply is still based on the system that Ferranti designed.
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Michael Faraday (1791-1867) is one of the most famous people involved in the discovery and harnessing of electromagnetic force.
Save energy - Finished playing on your games console or other equipment? Remember to switch off!
In 1831 Michael Faraday demonstrated electromagnetic force at the the Royal Institution in London, a famous centre for scientific education and research.
In 1800 Alessandro Volta built the world's first battery from discs of copper and zinc sandwiched between cardboard moistened with a salty water.
In the 1780s, Alessandro Volta invented the first battery - all because of Luigi Galvani's experiments with dead frogs.
Save energy - Use energy efficient light bulbs and, when you are leaving a room empty, remember to turn the lights off.
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Michael Faraday (1791-1867) was the first person to create a way of generating a constant current of electricity. His invention led to the power stations we know today.
Fossil fuels won't go on for ever - coal could run out in 250 years.
The Italian inventor Alessandro Volta (1745-1827) is best known for his work on electric current.
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At Deptford in 1891, electrical engineer Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti (1864-1930) designed and built the first power station and supply network. His basic system is still used around the world.
An electric eel can produce powerful electric shocks: up to 500 volts and one ampere of current (in other words, 500 watts).

Renewable energy sources

Hydro-electric

Wind

Other renewable energy sources

Danger

Did you know?