Definition and purpose
Renewable energy is defined as supplying our house through the use of solar panels (solar or thermal), windmills (wind), and various other developing forms that do not emit carbon into the atmosphere.
History
Wind
Wind energy is a form of renewable energy dating back to Ancient Egypt where they would use the wind to send their boats down the Nile river. In the 1970s, Middle Eastern countries imposed an embargo on the U.S. on oil, the U.S. made policies, such as the Renewable Electricity Standard Act to incentivize the use of renewable energy. In the 1990s, the U.S. created subsidies to reduce the cost of wind energy.
In 1954, the first photovoltaic cell, used to create solar energy in solar panels, was synthetically created. Later, in 1958, the United States used solar energy to power satellites in space. In 1973, the first building powered completely by thermal energy by Solar One. Solar has since become a stable source of energy in some American towns, mainly in the southwestern region of the United States due to it’s open, flat areas that can house solar panels.
Hydroelectricity
The first hydroelectric plant was invented in Appleton, WI in 1882. Hydroelectric plants then began to pop up across the U, with over 200 plants in 1889. In 1936, the Hoover Dam was built on the Colorado River. the Hoover Dam can generate enough energy to supply 8 million people living in the southwest. The Hoover Dam is the most effective and popular form of renewable energy, according to Renewable Energy World.
Controversy
| Pro
Reduced Carbon Emissions
Infinite Amount
Jobs
|
Con
Cost ineffective
|
How renewables have changed
Before the oil shortage in the 1970s, renewable energy was seen as an unattractive replacement to the monopolized oil industries. Later into the 20th century, renewables began to transition into a mainstream alternative to fossil fuel energy. Brands like Tesla have emerged as magnates in the industry, trying to become a sleek alternative to the fossil-fuel-burning luxury car.
Public Opinion
Pew Research Center reports 89 percent of adults are in favor of switching to solar panel farms for energy, and 43 percent believe that that the U.S. should continue to expand carbon emitting industries such as coal and oil.
