Energy powers your body, your car and the computer you are using, along with many other things. Energy comes in many forms, but not all are equally good. The most comprehensive study of energy types was done at Stanford University by Mark Jacobson in 2008. He ranked forms of energy based on the study of their efficacy, impact on health and climate, space, reliability and sustainability.
Wind
Wind is the best source of energy for many reasons. Wind, which is simply moving air, is caused by the sun's uneven heating of the earth. Therefore, wind will continue to blow until the sun dies out--in which case we'll have a bigger problem--so it is a renewable resource. As the wind blows, windmills collect the kinetic energy of the air, which makes their blades turn. The moving blades are connected to a generator that makes electricity. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, wind energy generated just over 1 percent of electricity in the United States in 2008. Not only is wind power renewable, it is also quiet and clean and does not have major deleterious effects on the environment or your health.
Solar
The sun is another is another free, quiet and renewable energy resource. Thermonuclear reactions inside the sun cause light energy to radiate out to the planets, and this energy can be converted into heat and electricity. The sun radiates more energy in one hour than humans have used since civilizations began, according to Solar Panel Info. Energy from the sun is harnessed in two ways: photovoltaic cells and concentrating solar power.
Photovoltaic cells are crystallized panels that create free electrons when hit by sunlight, directly generating an electric current. Depending on the size and number of solar panels, you can charge your cell phone or even power your whole house with this technology.
Concentrating solar power usually occurs at large plants where enough mirrors are aimed at the sun to reflect sunlight into a liquid. The liquid heats up until it is steaming, and steam from this heated liquid then generates electricity.
Geothermal
Geothermal power is another clean source of renewable energy. It is produced inside the Earth, where core temperatures are even hotter than the sun's surface, according to California Energy Quest. In some places, breaks in the earth's surface allow this thermal energy to rise up and be harnessed for electricity and heat. Most geothermal energy produced today is from the Ring of Fire encircling the Pacific Ocean, where volcanoes, geysers and hot springs release energy from the core to the surface. Many cities in these regions are powered by geothermal energy captured from underground.
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