"Renewable
energy comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain,
tides and waves, and geothermal heat, which are naturally replenished.
In 2008, about 19% of global final energy consumption came from renewables,
with 13% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for
heating, and 3.2% from hydroelectricity. New renewables (small hydro,
modern biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels) accounted for
another 2.7% and are growing very rapidly. The share of renewables
in electricity generation is around 18%, with 15% of global electricity
coming from hydroelectricity and 3% from new renewables (Renewables
2010 Global Status Report, 2010, pp. 15-16).
While many renewable-energy projects are large scale, renewable technologies
are also suited to rural and remote areas, where energy is often crucial
in human development. Climate change concerns, coupled with high oil
prices and increasing government support, are driving increasing renewable
energy legislation, incentives, and the commercialization of renewable
technologies.
Sandia National Laboratories has maintained research programs in solar,
wind, and geothermal energy science and technologies since the 1970s.
In recent decades, we have added research programs in biofuels and
biomass to our renewable-energy portfolio. Use the menu to the right
to explore our research programs and learn about our recent progress."
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