History of Renewable Energy Technology

Modern renewable energy technology dates from the second half of the 20th century however the use of renewable resources for energy dates from when early humans learned to control use of fire.

Besides burning wood and other flammable materials, our ancestors in ancient times took advantage of the majority of the natural resources we know today: water, wind, sun and even geothermal heat.

The power of the sun has been known and used already in ancient times which we can see at the oculus at the top of famous Pantheon in Rome, Italy, which was built in the first half of the 2nd century AD. Until the early 20th century when electrical lighting became the predominant interior lighting, sunlight was the only source of light besides candles, torches, oil lamps and after the industrial revolution in the second half of the 18th century - kerosene lamps.

Sunlight has been used for making fire which is clearly indicated the writings of Lucian of Samosa in the 2nd century AD who wrote that during the Siege of Syracuse (3rd century BC) Archimedes repelled the Roman attack with a burning-glass. In addition to solar power, sources of energy used were wind and water.

Since ancient times wind was used for propelling ships and to turn windmills whilst rivers have turned water wheels for millenia, the Romans even used geothermal water for heating.

Until the middle of the 18th century and the discovery of fossil fuels, renewable sources were the only sources of energy availible to man.

Excessive use of fossil fuels has caused global climate change which has became obvious in the last few decades and has forced people and governments throughout the world to seriously reconsider the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy sources.