What are the main types of renewable energy sources used for electricity generation, heating, and transportation, and how do solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass energy technologies harness natural energy sources to produce clean and sustainable energy, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change impacts?

Renewable energy sources offer clean and sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels for electricity generation, heating, and transportation. Solar energy technologies, such as photovoltaic (PV) panels and solar thermal systems, capture sunlight and convert it into electricity or heat. Wind energy technologies, such as wind turbines, harness the kinetic energy of wind movement to generate electricity. Hydroelectric power plants utilize the gravitational potential energy of water stored in dams or flowing in rivers to drive turbines and produce electricity. Geothermal energy technologies extract heat from the Earth’s interior to generate electricity or provide direct heating and cooling. Biomass energy technologies utilize organic matter, such as wood, crop residues, or animal waste, to produce biofuels or generate heat and electricity through combustion or biochemical processes. These renewable energy technologies reduce dependence on fossil fuels, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to efforts to address climate change and promote sustainable development.