What is Renewable Energy?

Renewable energy is energy generated from

natural resourcessuch as sunlight, wind, rain,
tides and geothermal heatwhich are
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences research and extension programs
renewable (naturally replenished). Renewable are funded in part by Pennsylvania counties, the Commonwealth of
energy technologies range from solar power, Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
wind power, hydroelectricity/micro hydro, Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement
biomass and biofuels for transportation. by Penn State Extension is implied.
This publication is available in alternative media on request.
Renewable energy is energy that is generated from natural
processes that are continuously replenished. This includes Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is
sunlight, geothermal heat, wind, tides, water, and various committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants
without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender
forms of biomass. This energy cannot be exhausted and is identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
constantly renewed.
The Pennsylvania State University 2017
Alternative energy is a term used for an energy source that is
an alternative to using fossil fuels. Generally, it indicates
energies that are non-traditional and have low environmental
impact. The term alternative is used to contrast with fossil
fuels according to some sources. By most definitions
alternative energy doesn't harm the environment, a distinction
which separates it from renewable energy which may or may
not have significant environmental impact.

What is Biomass?
Biomass, is a renewable organic matter, and can include
biological material derived from living, or recently living
organisms, such as wood, waste, and alcohol fuels.
Wood energy is derived both from harvested wood as a fuel
and from wood waste products. Waste energy can be
generated from municipal waste, manufacturing waste, and
landfill gas. Biomass alcohol fuel, or ethanol, is derived
almost exclusively from corn.

What is Biodiesel?
Biodiesel is fuel made from plant oils that can be used in
diesel engines. They are typically made of renewable organic
raw materials such as soybean or rapeseed oils, animal fats,
waste vegetable oils or microalgae oils.

Contact Information
Daniel Ciolkosz, P.E.
Assistant Professor and Research Associate
dec109@psu.edu
814-863-3484