What Is Renewable Energy?

Imagine an energy source that uses no oil, produces no pollution, cannot be affected by political events and cartels, creates no radioactive waste, and yet is economical. Although that might sound impossible, some experts claim that technological advances could make a renewable energy-based economy achievable by the mid-twenty-first century.

Renewable energy is a term used to describe energy from sources that are naturally regenerated and are, therefore, virtually unlimited. These energy sources include the sun, wind, water, vegetation, and the heat of the earth.

Solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, and geothermal power are all renewable and clean sources of energy. Each of these alternative energy sources has advantages and disadvantages, and many observers hope that one or more of them may someday provide a substantially better energy source than conventional, fossil fuel burning methods. As the United States and the rest of...