Natural sources of renewable energy are those that will not diminish. Some of them include hydropower, biomass, wind, and tidal. These are all similar to alternative power sources. We will review a few of these different types.
Hydropower was originally used in water mills, but with the advent of turbines this source of renewable power now generates electricity. Dams are built to form reservoirs and offer a potential to harness the power generated by the height of the falling water. Water flows down the tunnels in the base of the dam, turns the turbines, and generate electricity. It is controllable and very economical. But it also has the lowest chance of growth as the majority of good sites have already been used.
Biomass utilized organic materials to generate power. It is one of the oldest and earliest types using fire. Wood or coal is burned to produce heat to turn water into steam which turns a turbine, and this process generates electricity.
Wind power is an ancient method that was used to turn windmills. Nowadays, wind is use to generate electricity or pump water. Windmills were common in medieval England and Holland, because they were used to grind corn and pump water in the Americas. Modern windmills were developed in the 1970's and Denmark was the only country that pursued the idea. The coasts of Europe installed windmills to capture offshore wind.
Last but not least, tidal energy uses the power of the tides; they are predictable as they follow a cyclical pattern. This energy source has used for many years, in Northern France to grind cereals. In countries like the Philippines, the country has installed tidal windmill farm in 36 approved sites. The estimated capacity of these tidal windmill farms could reach 300 Megawatt which would include wind, solar, and geothermal efforts.
With steady technological advancement in renewable energy, we will soon have different sources of renewable energy available for commercial and residential use.
