Renewable energy is any sustainable energy source that comes from the natural environment.
The most common forms of renewable energy are solar, wind, water or hydro, biomass and geothermal. Renewable energy sources are maintained or replaced by nature after use. Sunlight, wind, water and biomass are the sources for most of Canada's renewable energy. Wind and flowing water can be used to spin turbines to generate electricity. Waste wood and straw can be burned for heating, while grains, such as corn and wheat, can be fermented into ethanol and used as a fuel for automobiles.