Glossary
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Definition
Renewable energies
Energies from sources that are naturally inexhaustible (water, sun, wind) or sources that are inexhaustible provided they are well managed (geothermal energy, biomass).
Unlike fossil energies, renewable energies are energies from sources that are naturally inexhaustible - water (water energy), the sun (solar energy) and the wind (wind energy) - or from sources that are inexhaustible provided they are well managed - the heat from the Earth (geothermal energy) and biomass from organic waste and wood.
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These resources are exploited for heating, electricity generation and transport (biofuels). For the countries that have signed the Kyoto Protocol using renewable energies is a way of stabilising greenhouse gas emissions. Today, renewable energies account for 13.5% of total energy consumption around the world and 18% of the electricity generated worldwide (comprising mainly hydroelectricity). Biomass is the renewable energy source most used in the world and in Europe (where it is the source of 66% of renewable energy production). In France, 6% of the energy produced is from renewable sources (essentially wood energy) and 11% of the electricity consumed is from renewable sources.
