alternative energy
Solar, wind, geothermal
Alternative energy refers to power sources that don't rely on fossil fuels like coal, oil, or natural gas.
The term typically encompasses solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and nuclear power.
What counts as "alternative" shifts over time—once alternative sources become mainstream, they're often just called renewable or clean energy.
The campus runs entirely on alternative energy.
Generated by flowing water
- damWater-holding barrier
- turbineBlade-driven energy converter
- reservoirLarge water storage basin
- run-of-riverDamless hydroelectric generation
tidal power · hydropower · penstock · spillway · micro-hydro · barrage · current · water wheel
Capable of restoration
- carbon-neutralNet-zero emissions state
- zero-emissionProducing no pollutants
- green powerSustainably produced electricity
- low-carbonMinimal CO2 output
decarbonization · sustainable · eco-friendly · environmental · carbon footprint · greenhouse gas reduction · Paris Agreement · net zero
Kinetic air energy converter
- wind farmGrouped turbines generating electricity
- windmillRotating structure harnessing air
- nacelleAircraft engine housing
- rotor bladeRotating aircraft lifting surface
anemometer · offshore wind · onshore wind · wind power · gust · airflow · horizontal axis · tower
Living material in aggregate
- biofuelFuel from organic sources
- biodieselPlant-based motor fuel
- ethanolDrinkable volatile spirit
- biogasFuel from anaerobic decomposition
wood pellet · organic waste · cellulosic · switchgrass · corn ethanol · landfill gas · feedstock · fermentation
Light-to-electricity converting
- solar panelLight-to-power converter
- solar cellLight-to-current converter
- solar farmGrid-scale photovoltaic installation
- inverterChanges DC to AC
net metering · irradiance · solar array · rooftop solar · silicon wafer · solar charger · sunlight · kilowatt-hour
Creating something original
- batteryPortable electricity storage
- smart gridDigitally managed power distribution
- hydrogen fuel cellDevice converting gas to electricity
- transmissionSending of information
research · breakthrough · efficiency · capacity · infrastructure · microgrid · emerging technology
Station converting underground heat to electricity
- heat pumpThermal energy transfer device
- hot springNaturally heated groundwater basin
- geyserErupting thermal vent
- magmaMolten rock underground
volcanic · dry steam · Iceland · reservoir · baseload power
Energy from splitting atoms
- fissionNuclear breakup releasing energy
- fusionJoining into unity
- reactorControlled fission apparatus
- uraniumElement ninety-two
thorium · nuclear plant · cooling tower · radioactive · plutonium · chain reaction · containment · spent fuel
hydroelectric
Generated by flowing water
run-of-river · tidal power · hydropower · penstock · spillway · micro-hydro · barrage · current · water wheel · fish ladder
renewable
Capable of restoration
- carbon-neutralNet-zero emissions state
- zero-emissionProducing no pollutants
- green powerSustainably produced electricity
low-carbon · decarbonization · sustainable · eco-friendly · environmental · carbon footprint · greenhouse gas reduction · Paris Agreement · net zero · climate action
wind turbine
Kinetic air energy converter
- wind farmGrouped turbines generating electricity
- windmillRotating structure harnessing air
- nacelleAircraft engine housing
rotor blade · anemometer · offshore wind · onshore wind · wind power · gust · airflow · horizontal axis · tower · pitch control
biomass
Living material in aggregate
biogas · wood pellet · organic waste · cellulosic · switchgrass · corn ethanol · landfill gas · feedstock · fermentation · gasification
photovoltaic
Light-to-electricity converting
- solar panelLight-to-power converter
- solar cellLight-to-current converter
- solar farmGrid-scale photovoltaic installation
inverter · net metering · irradiance · solar array · rooftop solar · silicon wafer · solar charger · sunlight · kilowatt-hour · solar roof
innovation
Creating something original
- batteryPortable electricity storage
- smart gridDigitally managed power distribution
- hydrogen fuel cellDevice converting gas to electricity
transmission · research · breakthrough · efficiency · capacity · infrastructure · microgrid · emerging technology
geothermal plant
Station converting underground heat to electricity
- heat pumpThermal energy transfer device
- hot springNaturally heated groundwater basin
- geyserErupting thermal vent
magma · volcanic · dry steam · Iceland · reservoir · baseload power
nuclear power
Energy from splitting atoms
uranium · thorium · nuclear plant · cooling tower · radioactive · plutonium · chain reaction · containment · spent fuel · tokamak
- clean energysolar power, solar, wind power, wind, solar panels
- Renewable Energysolar power, wind power, hydropower, geothermal plants, solar
- energy policyrenewables, fossil fuels, electricity, emissions, nuclear power
- Energy Crisisoil shortage, gas shortage, fuel crisis, power outage, rolling blackout
alternative energyfossil fuels
Combustible prehistoric organic deposits
dirty energy · coal · oil · petroleum · coal power
energy, energetic, alternative, alternate, energize, synergy, energizing, alternating, energized