What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy is energy from a source that is not depleted when used. In other words, it cannot run out, it is natural and self-replenishing, and usually has a low- or zero-carbon footprint.

The most important sources of renewable energy:

• Solar energy
  Sunlight is one of Earth’s most freely available sources of energy. The availability of sunlight is variable and depends greatly on location, season and time of day. Solar power is captured on solar panels in a joint chemical and physical reaction, known as the ‘photovoltaic effect’.

• Wind
  Wind power is currently probably the largest form of renewable energy in the world. While solar energy can only be captured for about 5 – 6 hours a day, wind power can be available day and night. Onshore and offshore wind farms generate electricity through the spinning of blades on wind turbines. The kinetic energy of the spinning blades is converted into electric energy by turning a drive shaft and gearbox, which is connected to a generator. Electricity is converted into higher voltages and added to the national grid.

• Hydroelectric
  As a renewable energy source, hydropower is one of the most commercially developed. It can often be more reliable than solar or wind power and also allows for electricity to be stored for use when demand reaches a peak. Hydropower is created by harnessing the movement of flowing or falling water. Naturally, places where you will find a lot of water are the ideal spots to place hydroelectric power plants, such as dams or the ocean. Electricity is generated through underwater turbines that turn a generator. Similar technology is used to create energy through wave and tidal power in the ocean and at the mouths of rivers where it flows into the ocean. 

• Bioenergy
  Electricity can be generated by burning organic matter as fuel. Known as biomass it includes anything from plants to timber to food waste. When bioenergy is made carbon dioxide is emitted, but these sources can be considered renewable because they can be regrown and absorb as much carbon as they emit across their lifespans, and therefore can be considered carbon neutral.

Charging your electric vehicle with renewable energy is not only cheap but also good for the planet. Smappee’s smart charging and energy management system is designed to maximize the use of variable rates and solar energy. It has built-in solar forecasting, allowing users to charge their electric vehicles, and power the washing machine or the A/C, all with free solar power. 

Smappee’s real smart charging also includes a unique feature to ensure no free solar energy is lost to the grid. With a simple setting in the Smappee app, the minimum solar charging threshold can be lowered, meaning that you can make the most of all available solar energy.