Renewable Energy
Wind turbines harness the power of the wind and use it to generate electricity. Small systems known as "microwind" or "small-wind" turbines can produce electricity to help power the lights and electrical appliances in a typical small business or home.
Solar thermal electricity systems (sometimes referred to as concentrating solar power systems) harness the sun’s heat with mirrors to warm a thermal energy storage medium such as oil, molten salt or air. The stored thermal energy is used to generate steam to power a steam turbine that produces electricity.
Hydroelectric power is a widely used form of renewable energy. It exploits the gravitational force of falling water, converting it into mechanical power via a turbine which produces electricity by driving a generator. Small scale hydropower systems with are less well known but still capable of producing sufficient power for industrial or commercial use. Hydroelectric schemes have long operating lives and can last for many decades with suitable maintenance.
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