A Look at Natural Sources of Energy

Wherever there is motion in nature there exists a source of renewable energy. Air (wind), water (rivers, oceans), and light (sun rays) are all souces of energy. Harnessing this energy, while free and abundant, requires expensive infrastructure such as turbines, solar arrays, and dams. Additionally, dynamos are needed to convert these energy sources into electricity. These devices create electricity by rotating magnets (rotors) through a strong magnetic field. The rotors are moved by any of the energy sources cited above. The electricity is then routed through wires to wherever it is needed. Wind and water are probably the most efficient sources of energy. Turbines capture the energy of: wind or streams from dams. Either of these can move the rotors that generate electricity. Ocean energy in the form of tides and waves is especially abundant, but used the least. More research is needed on how to capture wave energy. Another little used abundant energy source is geothermal, the internal heat source within the earth. Non-renewable enegy sources are contributing to global warming. Some may argue that implementing renwable energy is too expensive, but the dangerous impact of using combustables like coal and oil on climate change far exceedes this cost. Now is the best time to fund research on how to effiiently implement renewable energy sources before it is too late.