网易100天---12、Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy
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Passage 1
什么是可再生能源？
What Is Renewable Energy?
From SOLAR THERMAL · 101 words · 1 min

Renewable energy refers to the energy produced from natural resources that are sustainable and so can be replenished over a period of time. This energy is also known as clean or green energy. Essentially, the production of any renewable energy does not result in the creation of environmental debt. Additionally, the technologies used in producing this energy pollute less or do not pollute at all while they also do not utilize resources that cannot easily be renewed.

The basic sources of renewable energy include water, sun (solar) and wind. Others include biomass energy, geothermal energy, biogas energy, wave and tidal energy.

Passage 2
可再生能源的优点
What Are The Advantages of Renewable Energy?
From VITTANA · 318 words · 3 mins
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1. It is safe, abundant, and clean to use when compared to fossil fuels.

Even clean-burning natural gas is at a disadvantage to what renewable energy sources can provide. Enough sunlight comes down on our planet every day (每天有足够的阳光照射到我们的星球上)that if we could harvest it with solar panels and other forms of collection, we could power everything for an entire year. Because wind is created by the warmth of the sun, it is also virtually limitless. Fossil fuels, in theory, are a finite resource because of how they are created.

2. Multiple forms of renewable energy exist.

Diversification within the renewable energy sector has exploded since the 1970s(自20世纪70年代以来，可再生能源部门的多样化发展迅速。). From dams that provide hydropower to solar strips that are strong enough to handle the weight of a vehicle and can be turned into roads, we have numerous methods of creating power through the collection of renewable energy. There is greater diversity in this sector when compared to fossil fuel resources.

3. It provides the foundation for energy independence.

Many nations rely on fossil fuels for their society to function under the “modern” definition. These fuels come from a handful of countries that work to control pricing and availability. By developing renewable energy resources, countries can work toward energy independence with a diversified portfolio of energy(多样化的能源组合) to access. Although these resources take time to develop, it should be remembered that the current fossil fuel infrastructure has more than a century of development behind it.

4. Renewable energy is stable.

When renewables are creating energy, the power produced is stable and usable, just like any other form of “traditional” power. It is a dependable resource when an infrastructure is available to support it. Jobs are created within the sector as well, creating stability within local economic sectors at the same time. The power created can be distributed through existing grids which can limit installation costs for some communities.

Passage 3
可再生能源的重要性
Why Is Renewable Energy Important?
From RENEWABLEENERGYWORLD · 184 words · 2mins
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Renewable energy is important because of the benefits it provides. The key benefits are:

Environmental Benefits

Renewable energy technologies are clean sources of energy that have a much lower environmental impact than conventional energy technologies.

Energy for our children’s children’s children

Renewable energy will not run out. Other sources of energy are finite and will some day be depleted.

Jobs and the Economy

Most renewable energy investments are spent on materials and workmanship (材料和工艺) to build and maintain the facilities, rather than on costly energy imports. Renewable energy investments are usually spent within the United States, frequently in the same state, and often in the same town. This means your energy dollars stay home to create jobs and fuel local economies, rather than going overseas.

Meanwhile, renewable energy technologies developed and built in the United States are being sold overseas, providing a boost to the U.S. trade deficit.

Energy Security

After the oil supply disruptions of the early 1970s, our nation has increased its dependence on foreign oil supplies instead of decreasing it. This increased dependence impacts more than just our national energy policy.