What is Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is any form of energy generated from natural resources. Natural resources are : the sun, geothermal heat, tides and currents (seas and rivers), wind and biomass. About 20% of total world's energy is produced from renewable sources although only about 13% derives from biomass, mostly from wood-burning. Lately popularity and actual use of renewable energy systems is rapidly growing throughout the world because of very unstable oil prices and growing concerns over global climate change.

Rising demand for energy results higher energy prices regardless of whether the energy is renewable or from fossil fuel source. Throughout the world there is potential to harbour renewable energy, in it's various forms. If a country lacks one renewable source of energy it is usually richer in another. For example the Sahara desert does not have resources for hydro-electric power but has lots of potential for the exploitation of solar energy.

Every natural resource that can be used for generating energy has its advantages and disadvantages, however a common downside is that most cannot be directly used by the wider population. Besides that, the renewable energy systems that are available to households usually have a relatively high initial investment in comparison to conventional energy systems. Since renewable sources of energy are incessant, the initial investment pays off over a time period, which may get shorter and shorter if the current trend of high energy prices continue. To many, independence from commercial energy supplies has a value all of its own.