Renewable energy
Energy that never runs out
As reserves of fossil fuels are used up, people will need to find energy from other sources.
Renewable energy sources, like solar, hydroelectric, wind and biomass are already helping to provide power for our homes and workplaces.
During 2003–2004 renewable energy made up five per cent of Australia’s total energy consumption.1
As concern grows over the environmental impact of greenhouse gases caused by burning fossil fuels, it is likely that more power will need to be provided from renewable sources.
Australian governments have called on power suppliers to find more power each year from renewable sources.
What is renewable energy?
Renewable energy comes from sources that can be renewed or will never run out2.
This includes energy from on-going natural phenomena such as wind, sunlight, tides, gravity and geothermal heat (e.g. hot springs from deep underground).
Renewable energy also includes energy from plants and animals. This source is called biomass – which is the scientific name for all plants and animals. Common examples of biomass energy are burning firewood, growing crops to make liquid fuels and generating gas from sewerage.
| Renewable | Non renewable (fossil fuels) |
|---|---|
| Solar (the sun) | Coal |
| Wind | Oil |
| Hydro (water) | Natural gas |
| Biomass |
The challenge of using renewable energy sources is finding more cost effective and efficient means to convert their energy into power for our daily use. Click on the links above for activities and information on renewable energy sources.
Coming soon…
The Future of wind film. Keep visiting originenergy.com.au/click for updates
1Australia's Fourth National Communication on Climate Change 2005.
2The sun is estimated to be more than four billion years old and is expected to burn for at least another four billion years.
Wind and weather are also a naturally occurring ongoing phenomena.