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Renewable Energy Types, Forms & Sources EDF
Renewable Energy Types, Forms & Sources EDF
com/for-home/energywise/renewable-energy-sources
A renewable energy source means energy that is sustainable - something that can't run out, or is endless, like the sun.
When you hear the term 'alternative energy' it's usually referring to renewable energy sources too. It means sources of
energy that are alternative to the most commonly used non-sustainable sources - like coal.
Nuclear-generated electricity isn't renewable but it's zero-carbon(1), which means its generation emits low levels
or almost no CO2, just like renewable energy sources. Nuclear energy has a stable source, which means it's not
dependent on the weather and will play a big part in getting Britain to net zero status.
All our tariffs are backed by zero-carbon electricity(1) and if you choose to switch to us, you could play your part now in
achieving the net zero target.
Get a quote
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Renewable Energy | Types, Forms & Sources | EDF https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/energywise/renewable-energy-sources
Solar energy
Wind energy
Hydro energy
Tidal energy
Geothermal energy
Biomass energy
1) Solar energy
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Renewable Energy | Types, Forms & Sources | EDF https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/energywise/renewable-energy-sources
Sunlight is one of our planet’s most abundant and freely available energy resources. The amount of solar energy that
reaches the earth’s surface in one hour is more than the planet’s total energy requirements for a whole year. Although
it sounds like a perfect renewable energy source, the amount of solar energy we can use varies according to the time
of day and the season of the year as well as geographical location. In the UK, solar energy is an increasingly popular
way to supplement your energy usage. Find out if it’s right for you by reading our guide to solar power.
2) Wind energy
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Renewable Energy | Types, Forms & Sources | EDF https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/energywise/renewable-energy-sources
Wind is a plentiful source of clean energy. Wind farms are an increasingly familiar sight in the UK with wind power
making an ever-increasing contribution to the National Grid. To harness electricity from wind energy, turbines are used
to drive generators which then feed electricity into the National Grid. Although domestic or ‘off-grid’ generation systems
are available, not every property is suitable for a domestic wind turbine. Find out more about wind energy on our wind
power page.
3) Hydro energy
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Renewable Energy | Types, Forms & Sources | EDF https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/energywise/renewable-energy-sources
As a renewable energy resource, hydro power is one of the most commercially developed. By building a dam or
barrier, a large reservoir can be used to create a controlled flow of water that will drive a turbine, generating electricity.
This energy source can often be more reliable than solar or wind power (especially if it's tidal rather than river) and
also allows electricity to be stored for use when demand reaches a peak. Like wind energy, in certain situations hydro
can be more viable as a commercial energy source (dependant on type and compared to other sources of energy) but
depending very much on the type of property, it can be used for domestic, ‘off-grid’ generation. Find out more by
visiting our hydro power page.
4) Tidal energy
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Renewable Energy | Types, Forms & Sources | EDF https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/energywise/renewable-energy-sources
This is another form of hydro energy that uses twice-daily tidal currents to drive turbine generators. Although tidal flow
unlike some other hydro energy sources isn’t constant, it is highly predictable and can therefore compensate for the
periods when the tide current is low. Find out more by visiting our marine energy page.
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Renewable Energy | Types, Forms & Sources | EDF https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/energywise/renewable-energy-sources
5) Geothermal energy
By harnessing the natural heat below the earth’s surface, geothermal energy can be used to heat homes directly or to
generate electricity. Although it harnesses a power directly below our feet, geothermal energy is of negligible
importance in the UK compared to countries such as Iceland, where geothermal heat is much more freely available.
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Renewable Energy | Types, Forms & Sources | EDF https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/energywise/renewable-energy-sources
6) Biomass Energy
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Renewable Energy | Types, Forms & Sources | EDF https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/energywise/renewable-energy-sources
This is the conversion of solid fuel made from plant materials into electricity. Although fundamentally, biomass involves
burning organic materials to produce electricity, and nowadays this is a much cleaner, more energy-efficient process.
By converting agricultural, industrial and domestic waste into solid, liquid and gas fuel, biomass generates power at a
much lower economic and environmental cost.
Fossil fuels are not a renewable source of energy because they are not infinite. Plus, they release carbon dioxide into
our atmosphere which contributes to climate change and global warming.
Burning wood instead of coal is slightly better but it’s complex. On the one hand, wood is a renewable resource –
provided it comes from sustainably managed forests. Wood pellets and compressed briquettes are made from by-
products of the wood processing industry and so arguably it’s recycling waste.
Compressed biomass fuels produce more energy than logs too. On the other hand, burning wood (whether it be raw
timber or processed waste) releases particles into our atmosphere.
As world population rises, so does the demand for energy in order to power our homes, businesses and
communities. Innovation and expansion of renewable sources of energy is key to maintaining a sustainable level of
energy and protect our planet from climate change.
Renewable energy sources make up 26% of the world’s electricity today, but according to the International Energy
Agency (IEA) its share is expected to reach 30% by 2024. “This is a pivotal time for renewable energy,” said the IEA’s
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Renewable Energy | Types, Forms & Sources | EDF https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/energywise/renewable-energy-sources
Agency (IEA) its share is expected to reach 30% by 2024. “This is a pivotal time for renewable energy,” said the IEA’s
executive director, Fatih Birol.
In 2020, the UK hit a new amazing renewable energy milestone. On Wednesday 10th June, the country celebrated two
months of running purely on renewable energy for the first time ever. This is a great step in the right direction for
renewables.(1)
In the future, it’s expected that the number of renewable energy sources will continue to increase as we see an
increase in demand for power. This will drive down the price of renewables – great for the planet, and great for our
wallets.
• Cut your electricity bills: Once you’ve paid for the costs of installing a renewable energy system, you can
become less reliant on the National Grid and your energy bills can be reduced. Air source heat pumps can be a
great alternative to a gas boiler.
• Get paid for the electricity you generate: The UK Government’s Feed-in Tariff pays you for the electricity you
generate, even if you use it.
• Sell electricity back to the grid: If you are generating enough energy to export an excess back into the National
Grid, you can receive an additional payment from the Feed-in Tariff scheme.
• Drive electric: Did you know our EV tariffs are not only cost-effective but also renewable? Have a look at our
electric car tariffs.
• Reduce your carbon footprint: Green, renewable sources of energy don’t release carbon dioxide or other
harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. According to the Energy Saving Trust's Solar panels page, a typical solar
PV system could save around 1.5 - 2 tonnes of carbon per year. You can find out more in our solar panels guide.
EDF Renewables is the part of our business that’s entirely dedicated to generating renewable energy through wind
farms and battery storage. EDF Renewables.
Wondering what new and innovative ways scientists are looking at in order to reduce our dependence on traditional
fossil fuels? Some of these innovations might surprise you: Alternative energy sources you probably haven’t heard of.
And if you're after some more technical knowledge, find out how our innovation team use Big Data to create better
value out of offshore wind farms.
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Renewable Energy | Types, Forms & Sources | EDF https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/energywise/renewable-energy-sources
Find out what green energy tariffs are and how to know the difference between real green tariffs and 'green washed'
ones.
Would you like to reduce your carbon emissions at home? Read our easy and free tips.
Read our guide for students on how to manage your bills with your housemates.
Notes
1. The zero carbon electricity purchased is supplied into the National Grid. Customers receive electricity via the National
Grid, not directly from zero-carbon generators
2. https://www.greenpeace.org/archive-international/en/campaigns/climate-change/10-amazing-facts-you-probably-didnt-
know-abou/blog/32232/
3. https://www.ecowatch.com/7-facts-that-prove-the-renewable-energy-revolution-has-arrived-1882041987.html
4. https://cleantechnica.com/2012/03/30/renewable-energy-facts/
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