Editing Renewable energy (section)

=== Definition ===
Renewable energy is usually understood as energy harnessed from continuously occurring natural phenomena. The [[International Energy Agency]] defines it as "energy derived from natural processes that are replenished at a faster rate than they are consumed". [[Solar energy|Solar power]], [[wind power]], [[hydroelectricity]], [[Geothermal energy|geothermal]] energy, and [[Biomass (energy)|biomass]] are widely agreed to be the main types of renewable energy.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Harjanne |first1=Atte |last2=Korhonen |first2=Janne M. |date=April 2019 |title=Abandoning the concept of renewable energy |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0301421518308280 |journal=Energy Policy |language=en |volume=127 |pages=330–340 |doi=10.1016/j.enpol.2018.12.029|bibcode=2019EnPol.127..330H }}</ref> Renewable energy often displaces conventional fuels in four areas: [[electricity generation]], [[Solar water heating|hot water]]/[[space heating]], [[transportation]], and rural (off-grid) energy services.{{sfn|REN21 Renewables Global Status Report|2010}}

Although almost all forms of renewable energy cause much fewer carbon emissions than fossil fuels, the term is not synonymous with [[Low-carbon electricity|low-carbon energy]]. Some non-renewable sources of energy, such as [[nuclear power]],{{Contradictory inline|reason=graphic above shows nuclear as renewable whereas here says not|date=May 2024}}generate almost no emissions, while some renewable energy sources can be very carbon-intensive, such as the burning of biomass if it is not offset by planting new plants.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last1=Ehrlich |first1=Robert |title=Renewable energy: a first course |last2=Geller |first2=Harold A. |last3=Geller |first3=Harold |date=2018 |publisher=Taylor & Francis, CRC Press |isbn=978-1-138-29738-8 |edition=2nd |location=Boca Raton London New York}}</ref> Renewable energy is also distinct from [[sustainable energy]], a more abstract concept that seeks to group energy sources based on their overall permanent impact on future generations of humans. For example, biomass is often associated with unsustainable [[deforestation]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Kutscher |first1=Charles F. |title=Principles of sustainable energy systems |last2=Milford |first2=Jana B. |last3=Kreith |first3=Frank |date=2019 |publisher=CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group |isbn=978-1-4987-8892-2 |edition=3rd |series=Mechanical and aerospace engineering |location=Boca Raton, FL}}</ref>