Μain forms of renewable energy

A. The wind energy is becoming more popular because the cost production falls sharply - making it increasingly competitive over energy production from fossil fuels. Therefore, the industry Wind energy has experienced a rapid boom in recent years. So while global installed wind power capacity in 1998 amounted in little more than a total of 10.000 MW in 2005 had already reached 60.000 MW. This figure is expected to rise to 150.000 MW by 2012. The main cause of this rapid growth is the relatively low cost of wind energy over other renewable energies. In during operation of a wind farm is not emitted carbon dioxide or other gases that pollute the atmosphere (carbon monoxide, carbon, sulfur, carcinogenic particles, etc.), as happens with conventional power plants. Throughout its use and only 1, 5 MW wind, turbine can save approximately 80,000 tones mineral coal (brown coal). This means that not only intensifies the phenomenon emissions, but there are no negative effects on public health from air pollution.

B. Solar energy. There are many different systems that benefit from the energy produced by the sun: The solar cells convert sunlight directly into electrical energy. Such information is often integrated into roofs. The Photovoltaic offer the added advantage of being able to energy supply in sparsely populated areas, not covered the electricity networks, thus improving the quality of life and promoting sustainable development. The solar thermal power plants use the sun's heat, first concentrating sunlight using mirrors to heat water or another medium and then converting the steam into electricity energy through a generator. Solar thermal energy is promising
in cities where air pollution tends to be a big problem. The solar thermal power station's open prospects for future transport energy from warm to cold growing developed countries. A relatively simple method also is to use energy from the sun to heat water. Solar thermal collectors use sunlight that falls on them to warm tap water.(And to a lesser extent, to heat water for space heating). Solar energy is now 90% cheaper than in 1970. In homes with solar roof can be made more energy than is needed at certain times of a day, which potentially could
resold to local electricity companies.