Umair Gaines
Electricity is a secondary energy source, meaning it is not found in nature in a ready-made form but must be generated through primary sources. The five main sources of electricity include fossil fuels, nuclear power, solar power, wind power, and hydropower. While fossil fuels are currently the world's largest source of electricity, low-carbon sources such as hydropower and nuclear power are also significant contributors. In recent years, solar and wind power have been growing quickly and are expected to account for a large share of electricity production in the future.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Primary Sources | Coal, Oil, Gas, Nuclear, Renewables |
| Fossil Fuels | Coal, Oil, Gas, Diesel, Petrol |
| Low-Carbon Sources | Hydropower, Nuclear, Solar, Wind |
| Renewable Sources | Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Hydropower, Biomass |
| Non-Mechanical Prime Movers | Water, Steam, Wind, Wave Motion, Tidal Current |
| Secondary Sources | Electric Batteries, Solar Cells |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels
Fossil fuel power plants burn coal or oil to create heat, which generates steam to drive turbines that produce electricity. Gas plants, on the other hand, use hot gases to drive turbines, and combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants employ a steam generator to increase electricity output. While fossil fuels have been the dominant source of electricity, there is a growing need to transition to cleaner sources due to their significant contribution to global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
The use of fossil fuels for electricity generation is expected to continue in the coming decades, with predictions indicating that they will remain the leading source of electricity production in the US until 2040. However, the rise of renewable energy sources, such as hydropower, solar, and wind power, is challenging the dominance of fossil fuels. Some countries, like Sweden, Norway, France, and Iceland, already obtain most of their electricity from nuclear or renewable sources, significantly reducing their carbon intensity.
To achieve a sustainable future, a widespread electrification strategy is crucial. This involves decarbonizing sectors traditionally powered by fossil fuels, such as transport, heat, and industry, by transitioning to low-carbon alternatives. Nuclear energy, for instance, is an important part of the solution as it does not produce greenhouse gases during electricity generation and can provide reliable and uninterrupted power. Nevertheless, the challenge of meeting rising electricity demands while mitigating climate change will require a diverse range of low-carbon energy sources and continued investment in renewable technologies.
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Nuclear energy
The first electricity generation by a nuclear reactor occurred on December 20, 1951, at the EBR-I experimental station in Idaho, USA. The world's first commercial nuclear power station, Calder Hall, was connected to the national power grid in England in 1956. The use of nuclear energy for electricity generation was expected to increase in the early 2000s due to concerns about carbon dioxide emissions. However, the rate of new reactor constructions slowed down after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011.
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Solar power
Solar panels are typically made of silicon or other semiconductor materials. When exposed to sunlight, the photons from the sun interact with the electrons in the semiconductor material, generating an electric current. This process is known as the photovoltaic (PV) effect. PV systems have become increasingly popular due to their falling costs and ability to generate electricity for both small and large-scale applications.
Another method of generating electricity from solar power is through concentrated solar power (CSP) or concentrated solar thermal technology. CSP uses lenses, mirrors, and tracking systems to concentrate sunlight, producing heat that drives conventional steam-powered turbines to generate electricity.
Solar energy has numerous benefits. It helps reduce electricity costs, contributes to a resilient electrical grid, creates jobs, and promotes economic growth. Additionally, solar energy can generate backup power for nighttime use and during outages when paired with storage systems.
As of 2023, 33 countries generated more than a tenth of their electricity from solar power, with China being the largest producer. The UK and US governments have also set ambitious targets for integrating more solar energy into their grids, aiming for a significant share of their electricity to be powered by solar in the coming years.
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Hydropower
There are various types of hydropower facilities, including run-of-the-river systems and pumped storage systems. Run-of-the-river systems utilise the force of the river's current to apply pressure on a turbine, sometimes diverting water flow through a weir to hydro turbines. Pumped-storage hydropower facilities, on the other hand, pump water from a water source to a storage reservoir at a higher elevation. During periods of high electricity demand, the stored water is released from the upper reservoir to power hydro turbines located below.
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Wind power
The five sources of electricity can be categorised as fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewables. The renewable sources include wind, solar, and hydropower.
The output of a wind turbine is directly related to the dimensions of the rotor and the cube of the wind speed. When wind speed doubles, the wind power potential theoretically increases by a factor of eight. Wind turbines can vary in size, with smaller turbines, generating below 100 kilowatts, being used for residential, agricultural, and small commercial and industrial applications.
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