Factfiles

Renewable energy

An introduction to renewable energy technologies

The following factfiles discuss the various types of renewable energy generation that are, or could be, used in the UK. Whilst these documents concentrate on use of renewable energy in the UK, the technology is applicable worldwide. They cover issues such as fuels from biomass, hydroelectric power, solar power, tidal power generation and wind power.

Fuels from biomass

Fuels from biomass comprise the largest exploited source of renewable energy globally. This factfile gives an introduction to fuels and electricity production from biomass

Fuels from biomass

Hydroelectric power

This factfile details the principles of hydroelectric power which is by far the most significant renewable resource of energy exploited to date

Hydroelectric power

Solar power

This factfile gives an introduction to the various types of solar power available. Sunlight is the world’s largest energy source (170,000 TWth) and the amount that can be readily accessed with existing technology greatly exceeds the world’s primary energy consumption

Solar power

Wind power

This factfile gives an introduction to wind power in the UK. Wind energy is one of the fastest growing renewable energy technologies in the world and about 65% of all installed capacity is within the EU

Wind power