Not only will the precise use of language benefit consumers, allowing them to understand the implications of their energy choices, but it will also help officials ensure their policies accurately reflect their objectives. Additionally, by using these terms appropriately, energy leaders can be sure to craft initiatives that align with the ideals of the public, thereby increasing the chances of receiving public backing.

Researchers found this support consistent across people of different ages, education levels and political ideologies.

Renewable energy has bipartisan support in the U. Generally, Republicans are interested in the economic benefits of renewables, while Democrats are more focused on climate change.

Even with these two differences—or perhaps because of them, with the Democratic concern making the case for sustainable options—such overwhelming support suggests a positive future for sustainable energy, as well as a need for legislators, private sector decision-makers and non-profit leaders to develop comprehensive strategies for moving forward.

The question then becomes: How do we go from simply supporting sustainable energy to widespread adoption? The answer is multifaceted, but higher education plays a significant role. Energy professionals must understand how energy creation, distribution and consumption are affected by factors such as:.

They need the opportunity to build on their existing knowledge and skills in order to address the needs of now and the future. Successfully completing courses that cover multiple aspects of the energy industry , including but not limited to its organization, markets, end-use, policy, financing and global governance, prepares students to tackle some of the biggest energy and climate challenges of today and tomorrow.

Provided by a top global university, the Master of Arts in Sustainable Energy online at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies SAIS was created to help professionals gain the expertise needed to answer questions about how we can become more effective in our transition to sustainable energy.

Students have the opportunity to improve their base of knowledge and their critical thinking skills, helping them rise to leadership positions in their respective fields. Developed with input from expert faculty, industry leaders and sustainable energy employers, the program and its courses are taught by highly experienced researchers and professionals.

Disclaimer: This content has not been peer reviewed and is for informational purposes only. Johns Hopkins University has engaged AllCampus to help support your educational journey.

AllCampus will contact you shortly in response to your request for information. About AllCampus. Privacy Policy. You may opt out of receiving communications at any time. Johns Hopkins University Master of Arts in Sustainable Energy online.

Request Brochure Apply Now Live Chat Close. Request Brochure Apply Now Live Chat Connect with us Email: saisonline jhu. Comes from sources that naturally renew themselves at a rate that allows us to meet our energy needs Includes biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar and wind Not all renewable energy is also sustainable, but improving the sustainability of renewables and fossil fuels can have environmental benefits.

Solar supplies nearly 3 percent of U. electricity generation some sources estimate it will reach nearly 4 percent in But 46 percent of all new generating capacity came from solar in Today, turbines as tall as skyscrapers—with turbines nearly as wide in diameter—stand at attention around the world.

Wind, which accounts for 9. electricity generation , has become one of the cheapest energy sources in the country. Top wind power states include California, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, though turbines can be placed anywhere with high wind speeds—such as hilltops and open plains—or even offshore in open water.

Hydropower is the largest renewable energy source for electricity in the United States, though wind energy is soon expected to take over the lead. Nationally and internationally , large hydroelectric plants—or mega-dams —are often considered to be nonrenewable energy.

Mega-dams divert and reduce natural flows, restricting access for animal and human populations that rely on those rivers. Small hydroelectric plants an installed capacity below about 40 megawatts , carefully managed, do not tend to cause as much environmental damage, as they divert only a fraction of the flow.

Biomass is organic material that comes from plants and animals, and includes crops, waste wood, and trees. When biomass is burned, the chemical energy is released as heat and can generate electricity with a steam turbine. Biomass is often mistakenly described as a clean, renewable fuel and a greener alternative to coal and other fossil fuels for producing electricity.

However, recent science shows that many forms of biomass—especially from forests—produce higher carbon emissions than fossil fuels. There are also negative consequences for biodiversity. Still, some forms of biomass energy could serve as a low-carbon option under the right circumstances.

For example, sawdust and chips from sawmills that would otherwise quickly decompose and release carbon can be a low-carbon energy source. Drilling deep wells brings very hot underground water to the surface as a hydrothermal resource, which is then pumped through a turbine to create electricity. Geothermal plants typically have low emissions if they pump the steam and water they use back into the reservoir.

There are ways to create geothermal plants where there are not underground reservoirs, but there are concerns that they may increase the risk of an earthquake in areas already considered geological hot spots.

Some tidal energy approaches may harm wildlife, such as tidal barrages, which work much like dams and are located in an ocean bay or lagoon. Passive solar homes are designed to welcome in the sun through south-facing windows and then retain the warmth through concrete, bricks, tiles, and other materials that store heat.

Some solar-powered homes generate more than enough electricity, allowing the homeowner to sell excess power back to the grid. Batteries are also an economically attractive way to store excess solar energy so that it can be used at night.

Scientists are hard at work on new advances that blend form and function, such as solar windows and roof shingles. Geothermal technology is a new take on a recognizable process—the coils at the back of your fridge are a mini heat pump, removing heat from the interior to keep foods fresh and cool.

In a home, geothermal or geoexchange pumps use the constant temperature of the earth a few feet below the surface to cool homes in summer and warm houses in winter—and even to heat water.

Geothermal systems can be initially expensive to install but typically pay off within 5 to 10 years. They are also quieter, have fewer maintenance issues, and last longer than traditional air conditioners. A backyard wind farm?

Boats, ranchers, and even cell phone companies use small wind turbines regularly. Dealers now help site, install, and maintain wind turbines for homeowners, too—although some DIY enthusiasts are installing turbines themselves. Depending on your electricity needs, wind speeds, and zoning rules in your area, a wind turbine may reduce your reliance on the electrical grid.

Wind- and solar-powered homes can either stand alone or get connected to the larger electrical grid, as supplied by their power provider. Electric utilities in most states allow homeowners to only pay the difference between the grid-supplied electricity consumed and what they have produced—a process called net metering.

If you make more electricity than you use, your provider may pay you the retail price for that power. Advocating for renewables, or using them in your home, can accelerate the transition toward a clean energy future.

Contact your power company to ask if it offers that choice. This story was originally published on June 15, , and has been updated with new information and links. This NRDC. org story is available for online republication by news media outlets or nonprofits under these conditions: The writer s must be credited with a byline; you must note prominently that the story was originally published by NRDC.

We will keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. Skip to main content. Renewable Energy: The Clean Facts. June 1, Wind turbines and a large solar panel in Palm Springs, California.

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