alternative energies
Non-fossil fuel sources
Alternative energies are power sources that substitute for conventional fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas.
The term typically encompasses solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and nuclear power, though which sources qualify as "alternative" shifts as technology and markets evolve.
The phrase often appears alongside or interchangeably with "renewable energy," though nuclear power complicates that overlap.
The country is investing heavily in alternative energies to reduce carbon emissions.
Eliminating fossil fuel emissions
- carbon neutralZero net emissions
- smart gridDigitally managed power distribution
- battery storageRetained electrical energy capacity
- net zeroBalanced emissions state
green power · microgrid · climate mitigation · electrification
Generated by flowing water
- hydropowerElectricity from flowing currents
- damWater-holding barrier
- run-of-riverDamless hydroelectric generation
- tidal powerElectricity from ocean movements
turbine generator · reservoir · penstock · fish ladder · micro-hydro · tidal stream · impoundment
Energy from lightest element
- fuel cellElectrochemical power converter
- electrolysisCurrent-induced ionic separation
- green hydrogenElectrolyzed fuel from renewables
- electrolyzerConverts electricity into chemical fuel
Light-to-electricity converting
- solar panelsLight-converting power generators
- solar cellsLight-to-electricity converters
- sunlightRadiance from our star
- inverterChanges DC to AC
solar farm · net metering · insolation · irradiance · solar charger · rooftop solar · solar array · thin-film
Kinetic air energy converter
- wind farmGrouped turbines generating electricity
- rotor bladesRotating lift-generating surfaces
- nacelleAircraft engine housing
- offshore windAir moving from coast oceanward
onshore wind · wind power · anemometer · windmill · gearbox · wind map
Living material in aggregate
- biofuelFuel from organic sources
- ethanolDrinkable volatile spirit
- biodieselPlant-based motor fuel
- biogasFuel from anaerobic decomposition
wood pellets · landfill gas · fermentation · pyrolysis · gasification · biorefinery · organic matter · switchgrass
Electricity from subterranean heat
- hot springsHeated groundwater emerging naturally
- geothermal heatingUsing subterranean warmth for buildings
- hydrothermalHot water underground
- dry steamSteam with no moisture
baseload power · heat exchange · Iceland · drilling · volcanic region
Energy from splitting atoms
- fissionNuclear breakup releasing energy
- fusionJoining into unity
- reactorControlled fission apparatus
- uraniumElement ninety-two
plutonium · thorium · nuclear plant · cooling tower · containment · radioactive waste · fuel rod · chain reaction
decarbonization
Eliminating fossil fuel emissions
- carbon neutralZero net emissions
- smart gridDigitally managed power distribution
- battery storageRetained electrical energy capacity
net zero · green power · microgrid · climate mitigation · electrification
hydroelectric
Generated by flowing water
- hydropowerElectricity from flowing currents
- damWater-holding barrier
- run-of-riverDamless hydroelectric generation
tidal power · turbine generator · reservoir · penstock · fish ladder · micro-hydro · tidal stream · impoundment
hydrogen fuel
Energy from lightest element
- fuel cellElectrochemical power converter
- electrolysisCurrent-induced ionic separation
- green hydrogenElectrolyzed fuel from renewables
photovoltaic
Light-to-electricity converting
- solar panelsLight-converting power generators
- solar cellsLight-to-electricity converters
- sunlightRadiance from our star
inverter · solar farm · net metering · insolation · irradiance · solar charger · rooftop solar · solar array · thin-film · silicon wafer
wind turbine
Kinetic air energy converter
- wind farmGrouped turbines generating electricity
- rotor bladesRotating lift-generating surfaces
- nacelleAircraft engine housing
offshore wind · onshore wind · wind power · anemometer · windmill · gearbox · wind map
biomass
Living material in aggregate
biogas · wood pellets · landfill gas · fermentation · pyrolysis · gasification · biorefinery · organic matter · switchgrass · palm oil
geothermal power
Electricity from subterranean heat
- hot springsHeated groundwater emerging naturally
- geothermal heatingUsing subterranean warmth for buildings
- hydrothermalHot water underground
dry steam · baseload power · heat exchange · Iceland · drilling · volcanic region
nuclear power
Energy from splitting atoms
uranium · plutonium · thorium · nuclear plant · cooling tower · containment · radioactive waste · fuel rod · chain reaction · tokamak
alternative energiesfossil fuels
Combustible prehistoric organic deposits
petroleum · coal · oil · crude oil · natural gas
alternative energiesdirty energy
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