In the face of impending Climate Change, transitioning energy grids across developing nations to renewable sources is vital for the survival of humans and countless other animal and plant species. Understanding what common forms of renewable energy are and how they are regulated are the two main parts of this puzzle. So, let’s break down the five primary sources of renewable energy:

• Solar – photovoltaic cells in solar panels installed on rooftops, in large open fields, and on smaller devices turn solar radiation into energy that can be used to fuel appliances, cars, and heating systems. (Source)
• Wind- turbines are scattered across land or collected in larger fields. The energy produced by movement of wind turbines can be used to spin a generator and create energy. (Source) 
• Hydropower- dams or other diversions generate power by transferring the kinetic energy from the movement of the water to electricity in a power grid. (Source) 
• Geothermal- works by drilling deep wells into the ground where pockets of super hot steam can be brought to the Earth’s surface for transfer to electricity or used to steam heat a building. (Source)
• Nuclear- nuclear reactors produce heat and electricity through fission of atoms. That energy can be sent through a local electrical grid. (Source)

Energy production and distribution is regulated at the federal, state, and local level in the US. This deeply complicates the path forward for transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy, which is why a coordinated effort is critical to shift US energy to renewables at all levels from investment in hydropower infrastructure to municipalities allowing for wind turbine construction to homeowners associations permitting rooftop solar panels. Additionally, fossil fuel corporations, labor unions, small renewable energy businesses, big manufacturers who make parts for energy infrastructure, and utility companies are all major stakeholders in this energy transition. 

Check out the cost and benefits of installing renewable energy infrastructure where you live here (U.S.)

Citations:

“How Does Solar Work?” Energy.gov, 2021, www.energy.gov/eere/solar/how-does-solar-work. 

“How Do Wind Turbines Work?” Energy.gov, 2021, www.energy.gov/eere/wind/how-do-wind-turbines-work. 
“How Hydropower Works.” Energy.gov, 2021, www.energy.gov/eere/water/how-hydropower-works. 

“Geothermal Basics.” Energy.gov, 2021, www.energy.gov/eere/geothermal/geothermal-basics. 

“Nuclear.” Energy.gov, 2021, www.energy.gov/science-innovation/energy-sources/nuclear.