Renewable Energy is used throughout the world because of its convenience and availability. Many countries do not have access to oil, coal, or natural gas, but the sun and wind is widely available. This page shows a wide variety of unique and innovative uses of renewable energy.

Renewable World

Wind turbines in Spain, geothermal in Iceland, solar panels in Guatemala, it doesn't take long to see that renewable energy systems are being used all over the universe from monasteries to the space shuttle missions!

Renewable energy systems vary greatly however in their application due to site restrictions and the needs of each user. Socio-political structures can also have a significant impact on how the use of renewable energy is implemented.

Exploring renewable energy use world-wide helps students realize the potential impact that such technology or foresight can offer all citizens of the world. Whether helping promote energy independence from a foreign oil company or to prevent a long walk to pick firewood for a stove, renewable energy offers various solutions to human needs for energy.

Below are some links to get you and your students started in exploring new or additional renewable energy organizations around the world. Have fun exploring renewable energy!

Renewable World Examples:

1. SunDay Europe aims to use one day where the energy systems that provide for our well-being also provide for the well-being of the natural environment - a World where renewable sources of energy are fully exploited.
2. "Renewable Energy for the Developing World," an annual workshop led by Solar Energy International (SEI) includes classroom sessions and labs, with a strong hands-on component. Workshops are held at the Rancho Mastatal environmental learning and sustainable living center, located in the last virgin rainforest of Costa Rica's Puriscal County and focuses on three main areas: solar electricity, solar hot water, and solar cooking.
3. A list of renewable energy case studies throughout the United States can be found at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/renewable_energy/renewable_casestudies.html
4. INTERTEC is an organization that supplies renewable energy resources to rural regions in Asia, Europe, and Africa. Among other things, they've supplied wind farms to Sri Lanka, Mogadishu, and Somalia, and built forty solar-powered refrigeration plants at health posts for the Ministry of Health in Mozambique. Check out their Web site to find out more. http://www.intertec.dk/
5. The Energy and Development Group focuses on electrification to rural developments in many South African countries. They provide workshops on rural energy and much more. http://www.edg.co.za/
6. India's Central Board of Irrigation and Power provides a number of conferences, scheduled until 2007, including an International conference on accelerated construction of hydro-power projects, and the first International Conference on Renewable Energy.
7. RETScreen International promotes implementation of renewable energy systems by allowing web users to search for renewable energy industries in different regions of the world. http://www.retscreen.net/ang/13.php
   The Canadian Renewable Energy Network. Its purpose is to increase the understanding of renewable energy to accelerate the development and commercialization of renewable energy technologies. They also share success stories, projects, programs and publications concerning all types of renewable energy in Canada.
8. The China Sustainable Energy Program's (CSEP) mission is to assist in China's transition to a sustainable energy future by promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy.
   The China-based company Infra-vest installs wind turbines throughout not only their own nation but in Germany, Spain, and Turkey as well.
9. View photos from Tibet where families and villages use solar energy.
10. South Korea Utilities Target $1 billion for Renewable Energy www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/31799/story.htm
    South Korea to build the world's largest tidal power plant (May 25, 2005) http://renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=31016
11. Japan-based company that focuses on solar power. http://www.msk.ne.jp/english/index.shtml
12. The Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/el/research/crest/
13. The Geothermal Resources Council develops and convenes special meetings, workshops, conferences, courses, and symposia on a full range of subjects pertaining to geothermal exploration, development, and utilization. http://www.geothermal.org/works.html
14. The World Council for Renewable Energy strives to be the global voice for renewable energy through conferences, events, and publications. http://www.wcre.org/
15. Eurosolar is an organization that develops political and economic plans of action and concepts, including legal frameworks, for the introduction of Renewable Energies as well as publications and conferences. There are currently member sections in Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Jugoslavia, Luxemburg, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and United Kingdom. http://www.eurosolar.org/new/en/home.html
16. The Australian Greenhouse Office promotes the use of renewable sources and tries to develop the Australian renewable energy industry. http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/
17. The Folkecenter for Renewable Energy is an institution in Denmark that provides leadership, development of technology, training, and information for the feasibility, manufacture, and implementation of significant renewable resource technologies in Denmark and throughout the world.
18. Granada, Spain was the location of the 2006 International Solar Cookers Conference which took place July 12-14.
19. The opening of southeast Asia's first wind farm in Bangui, Philippines' is a vital step forward in efforts to promote renewable energy in some of the world's fastest growing economies.
20. New Zealand's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority's role is to encourage, promote, and support the uptake of energy efficient initiatives and renewable energy. Also check out New Zealand's Energy Wise Web site.
21. NetMeter.org in Bangkok, Thailand has a goal to help create 10 Megawatts of community-owned or small entrepreneur-owned, net-metered renewable energy in Thailand by the end of 2005.
22. Motiva promotes the market for renewable energy sources and efficient energy use in Finland. They provide expertise and project services to promote more efficient energy use and to accelerate the uptake of renewable energy sources.
23. Norway's interest in renewable energy heats up (May 1999)
24. Securing a Renewable Future: Scotland's Renewable Energy
25. Renewables Ireland: Taking Renewable Energy Mainstream. This company was established in 2004 in response to a growing requirement for renewable and sustainable energy products in the Irish market place.
26. The Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) is the largest research centre in the Netherlands on the field of energy.
27. Renewable energy use in Mali consists of wood and charcoal sales that represent an annual business of approximately 10 billion CFA (US $14 million) (August 4, 2003).
28. Pamoja: A resource for community innovation worldwide focuses on the promotion of technologies in renewable energy enterprises in Kenya
29. Mexico's Renewable Energy Program provides renewable energy solutions by promoting the appropriate and sustainable use of renewable energy technologies in Mexico.
30. In Guatemala, the Ministry of Energy, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) intensifies the use of renewable energy.
31. The Israel Renewable Energy Cooperative's mission is to empower the public regarding the future of the energy sector and its environmental, social, and economic affects in Israel by becoming directly involved in the development and implementation of renewable energy and energy conservation projects.
32. Renewable energies in Germany - A Success Story

Other examples of renewable energy use:
1) A tidal energy project in Norway uses strong ocean currents to turn a massive turbine with 30-foot-long blades. This is the first time free-flowing hydropower has been sent to the grid. Read more!

2) Solar-powered parking meters! In Germany, there exists a machine similar to an ATM with solar panels that you pay by credit/debit card to park your vehicle. Read more!

3) Solar panels produce electricity for pressing grapes and corking 10,000 bottles of wine a year! Read more!

4) Solar-powered pre-paid water supply cards in the Philippines works just like a pre-paid phone card, but are called AquaCards. Read more!

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Examine the Wisconsin Renewable Energy Project Map to see the 728 total renewable energy projects in Wisconsin.

View Renewable Energy Businesses in the World by location, product type, business type, and business name.

You may also check out KEEP's Photos page to see more examples of renewable energy in Wisconsin, in other states, and in other countries. Most of these photos were taken from KEEP staff, adjunct faculty, and other partners.

Recommended Read: Material World: A Global Family Portrait
Click to learn more

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