Definition of renewable energy

Summary

Renewable energy is energy harnessed from natural processes that are replenished faster than they are consumed. The International Energy Agency describes it as energy derived from natural processes that renew themselves on a faster timescale than human use. Commonly recognized renewable sources include solar power, wind power, hydropower, geothermal energy, and biomass. Renewable energy is often used to replace conventional fuels across several sectors, including electricity generation, hot water/space heating, transportation, and off-grid (rural) energy services. While renewables generally produce far fewer carbon emissions than fossil fuels, “renewable” is not the same as “low-carbon,” because some renewables can still be carbon-intensive depending on how they are produced (for example, certain biomass pathways). Renewable energy is also distinct from “sustainable energy,” which is a broader concept focused on long-term impacts on future generations.

Key Points

• 1

  Renewable energy comes from natural phenomena that replenish on a human timescale.

• 2

  Major renewable types include solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass.

• 3

  Renewables can displace conventional fuels in electricity, heating, transport, and off-grid services.

• 4

  “Renewable” does not always mean “low-carbon,” and it is different from the broader idea of “sustainable energy.”