More Renewable Energy Sources
Solar, wind and hydropower are familiar sources
of renewable energy, but the earth offers us even
more ways to generate electricity from its
renewable resources. Geothermal power plants work by tapping into
steam or hot water reservoirs underground. The
heat is used to drive a generator that produces
electricity.
Geothermal energy uses the Earth’s internal
heat to help heat and cool buildings and make
electricity. It’s the same energy that causes
volcanoes and geysers to erupt. Biomass energy uses natural materials like
wood, paper, plants and even garbage to make
electricity. Chemical energy is released from bio-
mass as heat when it is burned. The wood you
burn in a fireplace or campfire is a biomass fuel.
Wood and waste materials made from wood and
garbage are burned to produce steam for making
electricity.
A geothermal system for a home or building uses
pipes buried four to six feet underground, where
the temperature remains about 50-55 degrees all
year long. A geothermal system pumps a liquid
through the pipes to absorb the warmth and bring
it back indoors. In the summer, it works in reverse
to cool the temperature of hot buildings.
Burning biomass is not the only way to release its
energy. Biomass can be converted to other
useable forms of energy like methane gas, or
fuels like ethanol and biodiesel that can power
cars and trucks.
6 www.growingyourfuture.com