Facts About Renewable Energy: 8 Facts That Will Surprise You

At myenergi, we believe that learning about the benefits of renewable energy is a step toward a more sustainable future. But who says learning has to be boring? We’ve compiled a few facts about renewable energy that will surprise and inspire you.

1. A single wind turbine can generate enough energy for 1,400 homes

Wind energy is a highly efficient source of energy: just one wind turbine can generate enough electricity to meet the annual energy needs of 1,400 households. That’s equivalent to making 230 million cups of tea or powering an average computer for 2,000 years.

2. Solar energy can be stored in salt

Solar energy is a well-known energy source. But one of the lesser-known facts about this renewable energy is that it can be stored in salt. A power plant in Spain generates solar energy during the day and distributes electricity throughout the region for 7 hours at night. The energy is stored in a tank of salt heated to over 500 degrees Celsius. The salt is used to produce steam and thus generate energy.

3. Google, Apple, and Facebook are working on a “green internet”

Tech giants are increasingly using green energy for their services. Apple currently leads the way in this regard and has the highest green energy score by 83%.
Facebook ranks second with 67%. Mark Zuckerberg promised that they would use 100% green energy in every new data center. In this way, the tech giants are working toward a future where the internet runs entirely on renewable energy.

4. According to the WWF, all energy could be renewable by 2050

Researchers at Stanford have discovered that the planet can transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050. This study analyzed data from 139 countries, which account for 99% of global emissions.
The biggest advantage of this remarkable finding regarding renewable energy is that it can give our energy efficiency a huge boost. We will no longer be dependent on fossil fuels and finite resources. However, the WWFemphasizes that this is only possible if the right political, financial, and social decisions are made quickly.

5. Renewable energy has existed for millions of years

Before we started burning coal as a fossil fuel in the 19th century, all the energy we used was renewable. We’ve been using biomass for energy for over a million years. The Romans were also the first to usegeothermal energy to heat their homes. They used the warm air beneath their floors and within their walls for heating.
Here’s another amazing fact about renewable energy: The first recorded windmill was discovered in Persia and was invented around 700 to 900 B.C.

6. The renewable energy materials market is growing faster than expected

Developments are moving quickly. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that solar, wind, and hydroelectric projects have grown tremendously over the past four years. Technological advancements are progressing rapidly, and current products are being continuously improved to operate even more efficiently.

7. There are already countries that use 100% renewable energy

By 2016, Costa Rica was already relying almost entirely on renewable energy. Its 4.9 million residents use electricity generated by hydroelectric power plants on rivers. Other countries leading the way include Albania, Iceland, and Paraguay.

8. As early as 1873, the return to renewable energy had already been predicted

As early as the Industrial Revolution,experts predicted that fossil fuels would eventually run out. In 1873, Professor Augustin Mouchot wrote:
“The time will come when European industry will no longer be able to find those natural resources so essential to it. Oil wells and coal mines are not inexhaustible but are rapidly dwindling in many places. Will humankind, then, return to the power of water and wind?”

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the benefits of renewable energy?

Renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, emit almost no greenhouse gases, so they have a positive impact on the climate. Would you like to learn more? Then be sure to read our blogs “10 Benefits of Renewable Energy ” and “Frequently Asked Questions About Renewable Energy Sources.”

What is renewable energy?

Renewable energy comes from natural sources, such as sunlight, wind, water, and the Earth itself. There are five well-known forms that we’d like to discuss in this article: 5 types of renewable energy. We’d also like to explain the difference between renewable, green, and clean energy.

What is solar energy?

Solar energy comes from the sun. Solar panels convert the heat from the sun's rays into electricity. You can read more here: Everything You Want to Know About Solar Energy.

How does wind energy work?

Wind energy is generated by wind turbines. The power of the wind is converted into electricity. You can read more here: Everything you want to know about wind energy.