Energy Basics

Energy sources are either renewable, meaning they can easily be replenished, or nonrenewable, meaning they draw on finite resources. Learn about renewable energy resources and how we can use nonrenewable energy sources more efficiently.

Advanced Manufacturing

A stock image of a yellow robotic machine.

Biomass

The Photobioreactor Bag System is NREL's large scale algal culturing platform. Each bag is 30L and is used to generate algal biomass for a variety of projects. The cultures grow for approximately two weeks, and then will be harvested.

Geothermal

Geothermal plant in Steamboat Hills, Washoe County, Nevada.

Hydrogen

NREL engineer Danny Terlip fuels a Mercedes Benz B-Class Fuel-Cell vehicle at a state-of-the-art hydrogen dispensing system at the Energy Systems Integration Facility at NREL.

Hydropower

McNary Dam hydroelectric power plant is one of the largest hydroelectric plants in the United States and can generate 980 megawatts of clean energy.

Marine Energy

Northwest Energy Innovations' Azura(TM) wave energy device at the United States Navy's Wave Energy Test Site near Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawai'i.

Power Grid

Photo of a transmission tower.

Solar

PV modules on the Walnut Place, 95 unit senior housing in Boulder, CO.

Transportation

Close up view of Electric Car charging and houses with solar panels in the background

Wind

Wind turbines and power lines stretch across the State of Iowa. These are part of the Eclipse wind project in Audubon and Guthrie Counties in Iowa, owned by MidAmerica Energy.

Zero Energy Buildings

Diagonal Ct. Community Center, a net zero Community Center.

Visit the U.S. Energy Information Administration Energy Kids website and the Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network for energy-related games and activities, educational resources for teachers, and more energy basics information.

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