Renewable energy is energy drawn from sources that nature replaces on a human timescale, chiefly solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal and biomass power. It contrasts with coal, oil and gas, which are finite and release carbon dioxide when burned. Because many renewable sources depend on weather, grids pair them with storage, flexible demand and backup capacity. Projects are typically funded through long-term power purchase agreements, project finance loans and green bonds, and their output can be tracked with a renewable energy certificate. Renewable energy is central to debates about crypto mining: proof-of-work networks such as Bitcoin consume large amounts of electricity, and miners often seek cheap surplus hydro, wind or solar power. Estimates of the renewable share of mining vary widely by source and method and are disputed.
Last updated 13 Nov 2026