Renewable energy: types, growth, and challenges

Definition of renewable energy

Renewable energy (also called green energy) is energy produced from renewable natural resources that are replenished on a human timescale. It is commonly understood as energy harnessed from continuously occurring natural phenomena, meaning the source is naturally replenished faster than it is consumed. The International Energy Agency defines renewable energy as “energy derived from natural processes that are replenished at a faster rate than they are consumed.” Widely recognized renewable energy types include solar energy, wind power, hydropower, geothermal energy, and biomass. Renewable energy can be deployed at both large and small scales and is often used alongside further electrification, since electricity can be used efficiently for heating and transportation and is clean at the point of use. Renewable energy sources are also categorized by their controllability: variable sources such as wind and solar fluctuate, while controllable sources such as dammed hydro, bioenergy, and geothermal can be managed more directly.

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Main renewable energy types

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