Trystan Casey
There are a variety of natural resources that can be used to generate electricity. The three major categories of energy generation are fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy. Fossil fuels, such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum, are the most common sources of electricity generation. However, they are non-renewable and environmentally destructive. Nuclear energy is another significant source of electricity, while renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and water are becoming increasingly popular and important. These renewable resources are used in various ways, such as wind turbines, solar photovoltaics, and hydroelectric dams, to generate electricity. The use of these natural resources for electricity production has a complex system of generation, delivery, and end-users, often referred to as the electric power grid.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Natural Resources of Electricity | Fossil Fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), Nuclear Energy, and Renewable Energy |
| Fossil Fuels | Coal, Natural Gas, and Petroleum |
| Coal | 16% of U.S. electricity generation in 2023 |
| Natural Gas | 43% of U.S. electricity generation in 2023 |
| Petroleum | 0.4% of U.S. electricity generation in 2023 |
| Nuclear Energy | N/A |
| Renewable Energy | Wind, Solar, Hydropower, Biomass, and Geothermal |
| Wind | 10% of total U.S. utility-scale electricity generation in 2023 |
| Solar | 4% of total U.S. utility-scale electricity generation in 2023 |
| Hydropower | 6% of total U.S. utility-scale electricity generation in 2023 |
| Biomass | 1% of total U.S. utility-scale electricity generation in 2023 |
| Geothermal | Less than 1% of total U.S. utility-scale electricity generation in 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
Solar energy
Solar panels are made of photovoltaic cells, which convert the sun's energy into electricity. This process is called the photovoltaic effect. When photons from sunlight hit the solar panel, they energise the electrons in the panel, creating an electric field and generating a direct current of electricity. This direct current is then passed through an inverter to convert it into alternating current, which is used by the electrical grid and homes and businesses. The size and quality of the solar panels, as well as the amount of sunlight they receive, will impact the rate at which they generate electricity.
In 2023, solar photovoltaic and solar-thermal power plants provided about 4% of total U.S. utility-scale electricity and accounted for 18% of utility-scale electricity generation from renewable sources. Nearly all solar electric generation was from photovoltaic systems, with solar-thermal power systems mostly using steam turbines to generate electricity.
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Wind energy
Wind turbines harness the power of the wind to generate electricity. These turbines are large structures with several spinning blades. The wind turns the blades of the windmill, which then turn the turbine blades to create energy. This mechanical power can be used for tasks such as pumping water, or it can be converted into electricity through an electro-magnetic generator to power homes, businesses, and schools. Wind turbines can be stand-alone, connected to a utility power grid, or even combined with a photovoltaic system.
However, wind energy also faces certain challenges. Wind speeds can vary depending on geography, topography, and seasons, resulting in inconsistent electricity flow for power grids. Additionally, the construction and maintenance of wind turbines require natural resources and energy, leading to greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution. The recyclability of turbine materials is also a concern, as most of the materials used in turbines cannot be recycled at the end of their lifespan.
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Hydropower
The process of generating electricity from hydropower typically involves water flowing through a pipe or penstock, which then spins the blades of a turbine. This spinning motion is transferred to a generator, which produces electricity. This is the most common method used in conventional hydroelectric facilities, including run-of-the-river systems and pumped storage systems. In run-of-the-river systems, the force of the river's current is used to apply pressure on a turbine, and a weir may be used to divert water flow to the hydro turbines.
Storage systems, on the other hand, involve accumulating water in reservoirs created by dams on streams and rivers. The water is then released through hydro turbines as needed to generate electricity. Most U.S. hydropower facilities utilize dams and storage reservoirs. Pumped-storage hydropower facilities are a unique type of storage system where water is pumped from a water source to a reservoir at a higher elevation. When electricity demand and prices are high, the water is released from the upper reservoir to power the hydro turbines located below.
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Fossil fuels
However, burning fossil fuels contributes to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the air. In 2016, 67.8% of Canada's electricity generation greenhouse gas emissions came from coal. Fossil fuels are the largest source of global carbon dioxide emissions. As of 2019, carbon capture and storage of emissions are not economically viable for fossil fuel power stations. To keep global warming below 1.5 °C, we must stop building fossil fuel power plants and transition to other energy sources.
Despite the drawbacks, fossil fuels remain attractive because they are energy-dense. For example, 1 kilogram of natural gas contains 53.1 megajoules of energy. Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel on the planet and is a relatively cheap fuel. However, it is an impure fuel and produces more greenhouse gas and pollution than an equivalent amount of petroleum or natural gas.
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Nuclear energy
Nuclear fuel is extremely dense, requiring a minuscule amount of fuel compared to coal or gas power plants to generate the same amount of electricity. This results in a relatively small amount of used nuclear fuel, which can be recycled into other types of fuel for use in special nuclear power plants. However, nuclear fuel is not considered renewable as it is a finite resource. Additionally, the disposal of spent fuel from reactors remains a concern, as there is currently no definitive way to dispose of it indefinitely without risk.
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Frequently asked questions
The natural resources used to generate electricity include fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), nuclear energy, and renewable energy.
Renewable energy sources include wind, solar, and hydropower.
Fossil fuel power plants burn coal or oil to create heat, which generates steam to drive turbines that generate electricity.
