What Are The Most Efficient Renewable Energy Sources?

Are you wondering, “What are the most efficient renewable energy sources available today?” Our top five list will break down, rank, and detail the most relevant benefits that make each of these technologies essential. Starting with wind, let’s see what the future holds, shall we?

1. Wind

When you ask, “Which renewable energy source is the most efficient?” wind energy currently sits atop the mountain. The Natural Resources Defense Council recently stated this regarding wind energy:

That said, wind energy is an exceptionally efficient renewable energy source and a fast-growing segment of renewable energy. It’s sustainable plus “essentially zero-carbon, zero-pollution and zero-water use.” (2) For a great visual of the current innovations being made, check out this neat video by Tech Vision.

Wind energy pros and cons can vary based on location, but there is significant potential for this source to provide a considerable amount of power using both on-land turbines and offshore units.

2. Geothermal

Geothermal energy is one of the cleanest and most efficient renewable energy sources available that works 24/7 and releases little to no greenhouse gasses. This type of renewable energy source is not only highly efficient but it has a small footprint and requires no external fuel source.

There are many geothermal pros and cons, but geothermal resources bring hot water to the surface. That can be useful in a variety of applications such as direct use, electricity, and power heating and cooling in homes.

3. Hydro-Electric

Hydro-electric power is an alternative energy source that comes from moving water to generate electricity. Conventionally, this involves using dams that help to control water flow. Many existing dams in the United States could get retrofitted to produce hydro-electric power, which lowers the initial costs, but building new dams is expensive and time-consuming.

David Pimentel, a journalist for BioScience stated:

Globally, maintenance costs for hydro-electric dams are relatively low, so hydro-electric power currently accounts for around 6.5% of the world’s total energy production (4). That said, there are new technologies emerging called Hydrokinetics that harvest power from ocean currents and the changing tides that may increase the hydro-electric industry’s impact worldwide.

4. Solar

Many ask, “Why is solar energy important?” Solar power is an unlimited form of energy and one of the most efficient energy sources available to just about everyone on the planet. 

This carbon-free power creates a very tiny amount of pollution when the solar panels get manufactured but doesn’t release contaminants into the environment as it generates energy (5).

Solar power is becoming increasingly affordable for both residential and commercial applications, and new technologies allow for higher efficiency rates. When you ask, “What is the most efficient renewable energy source?” solar has to be mentioned in the conversation.

5. Biomass

Biomass renewable energy can come from many different sources and often makes use of plants, gases, or other materials that would otherwise go to waste. Landfill gas, ethanol, and biodiesel are common forms of biomass that get burned as a power source, and in 2019 biomass made up 43% of energy consumption in the United States (6).

Biomass energy pros and cons vary based on the material used, but these items can produce power that would otherwise require fossil fuels that can further harm the environment and aren’t nearly as efficient (7).

Read More: Renewable Energy – The Only Clean Alternatives That Matter

FAQs

• Why is Renewable Energy Important?

  Generally speaking, renewable energy is important because it helps to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, reduce our fossil fuel dependence, and create a more sustainable future for all creatures to thrive. On the other hand, non-renewable energy forms often cause pollution that harms the environment, health-related issues for humans, including increased healthcare costs, and their continued use is unsustainable.

  To look at this question in more detail, you can check out our guide: Why is Renewable Energy Important? Our Top 10 Reasons To Know

• What Is a Geothermal Resource?

  A geothermal resource is a reservoir of very hot water deep below the surface. These reservoirs get tapped using wells to release the hot water and steam that gets used for power generation.

  A famous location for geothermal power includes Iceland, where they have several different geothermal resources spread across the country (8).

• What US States Are Leading The Way In Wind Power?

  The US States that are leading the way in wind power are Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. In a recent study by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, these states provided more than half of the U.S. wind electricity generation (9).

• Is Nuclear Energy an Efficient Renewable Energy Source?

  There are many nuclear energy pros and cons to consider, but nuclear energy is an efficient source of low-carbon power that accounts for about 10% of worldwide electricity (10). Some reactors generate only power, while others produce isotopes for medical use or industrial applications.

  However, the natural resources, time, and lives lost as a result of catastrophic nuclear failures like Chernobyl, and Fukushima are more than enough to discourage its future viability as an efficient renewable energy source. To discuss this in more detail, you can check out our full guide on the question, “Is nuclear energy renewable?“