ABSTRACT
The investment and expanding capacity figures indicate a trend towards better technologies that can render a renewables-based system more economically viable than a fossil fuels-based system. This chapter highlights the several predominant sources of renewable energy, while introducing some existing and emerging technologies under the umbrella of each source. In keeping with the energy sources that are considered truly "renewable", the chapter focuses on solar, wind, hydro, bioenergy, and geothermal sources. Solar type of technology consists in using the sun to provide direct heating to buildings. It is primarily used for water heating. Wind is the second most prominently available renewable source of energy. Hydropower technologies generate electricity by capturing and converting energy from flowing water. Bioenergy consists in the application of various organic plant materials and conversion techniques to produce heat, electricity and fuels. Geothermal energy technologies use steam and hot water generated by the heat from the Earth's crust to produce electricity.
