Community Windpower Ltd

	Children's windy world

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Energy is an essential part of our daily lives and we use it for everything we do. We need energy to:

Move our bodies
To keep us warm
To power and heat our homes and schools
To power vehicles and machines.

The Sun is the source of all energy on Earth and it is stored in plants and animals. The stored energy from ancient plant and animal remains is called Fossil Fuels. We use fossil fuels to power our factories, power stations and cars.

But one day, the fossil fuels will eventually run out, so they are often called non-renewable energy sources. That's why we need to develop and use energy sources that will last forever. These are called renewable energy sources.

What is the difference between non-renewable and renewable energy sources?

Non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels will one day run out. They cannot be replaced once they have been used, as they originally took millions of years to be made, from the remains of ancient plants and animals.

The main types of fossil fuel are:

Coal
Oil
Gas

These fossil fuels are ready made, are relatively cheap and easy to use, which is why we have been using them for many years. However, when burnt in factories and power stations, they release toxic gases into the atmosphere, known as Greenhouse Gases, which are polluting our environment and contributing to Climate Change.

Renewable energy sources are the opposite, as they will never run out. They can be used again and again. The main renewable energy sources are:

Solar
Wind
Tidal
Wave
Geothermal
Hydroelectric Power

Renewable energy sources are cleaner as well, as they do not emit toxic greenhouse gases into the atmosphere when they are used to generate electricity.

Why is it important to have

It is important to develop new renewable energy sources for many reasons, including:

Fossil fuels are running out, therefore the UK and other countries will not be able to produce much power.
The world's population is growing rapidly, so the demand for power and electricity is also increasing. Developing countries are also using increasing amounts of electricity. Developed countries such as the UK are using increasing amounts of energy

Therefore as we use more power, the faster fossil fuels will run out, which will cause major problems, such as power cuts and blackouts, because there is not enough electricity for everyone. Renewable sources of energy are a solution to this problem and can prevent this from happening.

Fossil fuels are emitting toxic greenhouse gases into the Earth's atmosphere
when they are burned, which is damaging the environment. Our climate is changing and plants, animals, birds and humans are at risk all around the world.

Cleaner, environmentally-friendly, renewable sources of energy are necessary to protect our environment from further damage and pollution.

How do renewable energy

SOLAR - energy from the Sun in the form of sunlight is captured in solar panels and converted into electricity.

WIND - wind turbines are turned by the wind, to generate electricity.

TIDAL - the movement of seawater in and out drives turbines to generate electricity.

WAVE - the movement of seawater, in and out of a cavity on the shore, compresses trapped air which drives a turbine to generate electricity.

GEOTHERMAL - the heat of the Earth's rocks deep underground can be used to produce electricity and to warm water at home and in industry.

HYDROELECTRIC POWER - energy is captured from the movement of water through rivers, lakes and dams

Wood and Biomass are also renewable energy sources. But remember, if trees and crops are not replanted, then they are classed as being non-renewable energy sources.

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