Renewable power is thriving, as innovation brings down costs and starts to deliver on the potential of a clean energy future. This means that renewables are increasingly displacing “dirty” fossil fuels in the power sector, offering the advantage of lower emissions of carbon and other types of pollution. But not all sources of energy promoted as “renewable” are beneficial to the environment. Biomass and large hydroelectric dams create difficult trade-offs when considering the impact on wildlife, climate change, and other issues. Here’s what you should know about the different types of renewable energy sources—and how you can use these emerging technologies for your own home, commercial establishments and different industries.