From Guest Blogger Brooke Chaplan: Renewable Resources–Industries that Define How We Use Energy

The days in which the world is powered by carbon fuel sources like coal and oil will eventually pass. These fuels are finite and will someday run out. They also cause pollution. However, there are other industries that have developed around renewable resources. These resources are plentiful and far cleaner than non-renewable resources. These are the fuel sources of both the present and the future.
Hydropower

Most of the Earth is covered by sea as opposed to land. In fact, hydropower derived from the movement of water is the number one of source of renewable energy in the United States. Most of this is done through the construction of dams that are able to transfer the movement of huge bodies of water into electricity. Hydropower first began in the 1800’s with the use of paddle wheels. Since then, huge water driven turbines were developed that can power entire communities.

Biofuel

Biofuel refers to fuel that is created through the use of biomass. Biomass is matter collected from either living or recently dead organisms. Traditionally, wood was the most common biofuel source. However, today, biomass also refers to things like algae, corn starch, hemp, palm oil and more. Although deforestation is a risk, the use of alternate more sustainable biofuels is turning into and up and coming industry.

Electrical Engineering

Becoming an electrical engineer is now easier than ever thanks to online universities. You can certainly forge a career in working with renewable energy by earning an online master of electrical engineering from an accredited school. While electrical engineering isn’t specific to any particular renewable fuel source, it is integral to the harvesting of all renewable resources. It is electrical engineers that have the knowledge of the science behind transferring power sources like water, wind, solar and more into electricity.

Wind Power

Today, many farmers don’t only harvest crops and livestock. They also harvest wind by leasing out their land for the construction of giant wind turbines. Thanks to the advancement of the technology, wind turbines are now powerful enough to constitute a significant percentage of the energy market in the United States.

Solar Power

Lastly, solar power is a huge renewable energy source. While individual families helping offset the cost of their electricity bills through the use of solar panels on their roofs has been commonplace for decades, the use of solar power on an industrial scale has recently been rapidly expanding by over 40 percent a year.

To fight pollution and create an energy independent future, renewable resources are the key. If you want to help build this future, start a career in one of the industries mentioned above.