Renewable Energy Sources...
The development of renewable energy sources is a rapidly growing sector in the energy industry. Advances in technology have allowed some forms of renewable energy to become more affordable and more widely available to the consumer. Renewable energy sources include wind, solar, biomass, and hydroelectric (water).
In Virginia, roughly 4 percent of electricity is generated from renewable sources. As stated in the final report of the Governor’s Commission on Climate Change, the state has a goal to increase renewable generation in stages to 15 percent of 2006 consumption by 2025.
Just as traditional energy sources are linked to homes and businesses by the nation’s transmission and distribution lines, renewable resources also depend on a reliable transmission network. The best renewable sources, such as wind, often are located in relatively isolated areas that naturally require additional infrastructure.
Definitions of what qualifies as “renewable energy” vary from state to state. For example, in Virginia there are limits on the amount of wood that can be used for biomass-based electric generation. In general, renewable sources are considered to be sources that replenish themselves naturally and do not run out.