What is renewable energy?
Quick answer from Eartha
Renewable energy is power that comes from things that never run out, like sunshine, wind and moving water. We can use it again and again without using it up. It's a clean way to make the electricity that lights our homes.
The longer story
Energy is what powers our lights, fridges and devices. Some energy comes from coal or gas, which are dug up from the ground and can run out one day. Renewable energy comes from things nature keeps giving us, like sunlight and wind.
The sun shines every day, wind keeps blowing, and rivers keep flowing, so we call this energy renewable, meaning it renews, or comes back, again and again.
Australia has lots of sunshine and windy coastlines, which makes it a great place for solar panels and wind turbines. Many Australian homes now have solar panels on their roofs.
Using renewable energy instead of digging up more coal and gas means less pollution going into our air. Scientists and engineers are working hard to make renewable energy cheaper and easier for everyone to use.
Try this at home: Energy spotting
- Walk around your house or street and look for solar panels on rooftops.
- Talk about where you think the electricity in your home comes from.
- Draw a picture of the sun, wind or water making power.
Words to know
- Renewable
- Something that keeps coming back and doesn't run out, like sunshine or wind.
- Turbine
- A big spinning machine that can turn wind or water into electricity.
For grown-ups: what is my child learning here?
Age band: 5-8
Curriculum link: Australian Curriculum v9 Science, AC9SFU01
The concept: Renewable energy sources, unlike fossil fuels, are naturally replenished and produce cleaner power.
More classroom ideas are on our teachers page, and safety notes for families are on for parents.
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