Wiktor Wise
The original sources of electricity are varied and have evolved over time. The first rudimentary dynamo, a device that produces direct-current (DC) power, was invented by Frenchman Hippolyte Pixii in 1832. Since then, electricity generation has progressed to include a variety of sources and technologies. The three major categories of energy for electricity generation are fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), nuclear energy, and renewable energy. The majority of global electricity is still generated from fossil fuels, with coal being the largest source, followed by natural gas. However, there is a growing trend towards renewable sources such as hydropower, wind, solar, and nuclear power. These sources provide a significant portion of electricity in some countries, with certain nations deriving over 90% of their electricity from these low-carbon sources. The specific mix of electricity sources varies across countries, with economic viability and demand playing a role in the selection of production modes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electricity generation | The process of generating electric power from sources of primary energy |
| Production modes | Hydroelectric plants, nuclear power plants, thermal power plants, and renewable sources |
| Primary energy sources | Heat engines, hydro, wind, tidal power, solar photovoltaics, geothermal power, nuclear fission, and fossil fuels |
| Fossil fuels | Coal, natural gas, petroleum, and oil |
| Low-carbon sources | Hydropower, nuclear, wind, solar, and other renewables |
| Electricity production in the US | Natural gas (43%), coal (16%), petroleum (0.4%), and other gases (0.5%) |
| Renewable energy sources in the US | Biomass (1%), geothermal power plants (less than 1%) |
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Fossil fuels
In 2023, natural gas was the top source of U.S. utility-scale electricity generation, at about 43%. Coal was the fourth-highest energy source, at about 16%. In Canada, in 2016, about 9.3% of electricity was generated from coal, 9.6% from natural gas, and 0.5% from oil and diesel. In the same year, over 60% of the world used coal, oil, and natural gas for electricity production.
Most electricity is generated with steam turbines that use fossil fuels. However, other major electricity generation technologies include gas turbines, hydro (water) turbines, wind turbines, and solar photovoltaics.
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Nuclear energy
Nuclear power plants supplied about 9% of global electricity generation in 2023, making it the second-largest low-carbon power source after hydroelectricity. The United States has the largest fleet of nuclear reactors, generating almost 800 terawatt-hours (TWh) per year, with nuclear power providing 19% of the country's electricity consumption. France produces the highest percentage of its electrical energy from nuclear reactors, with 65% in 2023. In the European Union, nuclear power provides 22% of electricity, while some countries like Austria, Estonia, Ireland, and Italy have no active nuclear power stations.
Uranium is the fuel most commonly used in nuclear energy production due to its ability to split apart relatively easily. While uranium is a common element found worldwide, the specific type used in nuclear energy, U-235, is rare and constitutes less than 1% of the world's uranium. Uranium enrichment processes are employed to increase the likelihood of fission in natural uranium, and the resulting enriched uranium can be used as nuclear fuel in power plants.
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Renewable energy
Consumable electricity is not available in nature and must be "produced" by transforming other forms of energy. Most electricity generation is driven by heat engines fuelled by combustion or nuclear fission, but also by other means such as the kinetic energy of flowing water and wind.
Generating renewable energy creates far lower emissions than burning fossil fuels. Transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy is key to addressing the climate crisis. Renewables are now cheaper in most countries, and generate three times more jobs than fossil fuels.
There are several types of renewable energy sources:
- Solar energy: Solar energy is the most abundant of all energy resources and can be harnessed through solar panels, even in cloudy weather.
- Wind energy: Wind energy has been used for millennia, but onshore and offshore wind energy technologies have evolved over the years to maximize electricity production.
- Hydropower: Hydropower is the largest source of renewable energy in the electricity sector. It relies on generally stable rainfall patterns and can be impacted by droughts or changes to ecosystems.
- Geothermal energy: Geothermal energy utilizes the thermal energy from the Earth's interior.
- Bioenergy: Bioenergy is derived from burning organic matter as fuel. These fuel sources can be regrown and absorb as much carbon as they emit across their lifespans. However, bioenergy should only be used in limited applications due to potential negative environmental impacts related to deforestation and land-use change.
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Hydroelectric power
Electricity is generated by transforming other forms of energy into electrical energy. This process is carried out in power plants, using electromechanical generators driven by heat engines, nuclear fission, or other means such as the kinetic energy of flowing water.
The process of hydroelectric power generation involves using a dam or diversion structure to alter the natural flow of water. The kinetic energy of the flowing water is then converted into electricity through the use of turbines and generators. The water flows through a pipe, known as a penstock, and spins the blades of a turbine, which in turn spins a generator to produce electricity. This electricity is then fed into the electrical grid to power homes, businesses, and industries.
The amount of electricity generated by a hydropower plant depends on the volume of water flow and the change in elevation, also known as the head. The greater the water flow and the higher the head, the more electricity can be produced. Run-of-the-river systems and pumped storage systems are common types of hydroelectric facilities. Run-of-the-river systems use the force of the river's current to apply pressure on a turbine, while pumped storage systems involve pumping water to a higher elevation and releasing it through turbines to generate electricity during peak demand periods.
Hydropower has been used for thousands of years, initially to turn paddle wheels on rivers to grind grain. The first industrial use of hydropower to generate electricity in the United States was in 1880, and it continues to be an important source of renewable energy today, with hydropower contributing significantly to global electricity production.
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Solar power
Solar panels use the photovoltaic effect to convert light into an electric current. When the material of the solar panel, usually silicon or another semiconductor material, is exposed to photons of sunlight, it releases electrons and produces an electric charge. This PV charge creates an electric current (direct current or DC), which is captured by the wiring in solar panels. This DC electricity is then converted to alternating current (AC) by an inverter. AC is the type of electrical current used when plugging appliances into normal wall sockets.
Concentrated solar power systems use lenses or mirrors and solar tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam, often to drive a steam turbine. Commercial concentrated solar power plants were first developed in the 1980s. Since then, as the cost of solar panels has decreased, grid-connected solar PV systems' capacity and production have doubled about every three years.
In 2024, solar power generated 6.9% of global electricity and over 1% of primary energy, adding twice as much new electricity as coal. As of 2023, 33 countries generated more than a tenth of their electricity from solar, with China making up more than half of the growth. China is the largest producer of solar-powered electricity in the world, with the US coming in second, followed by Japan, Germany, and India. Utility-scale solar is the source with the cheapest levelised cost of electricity for new installations in most countries. Almost half of the solar power installed in 2022 was mounted on rooftops.
Solar energy is a renewable and infinite energy source that creates no harmful greenhouse gas emissions. The carbon footprint of solar panels is already quite small, and the materials used in the panels are increasingly recycled, further reducing their carbon footprint. Solar power is expected to play a significant role in decarbonising the power grid.
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Frequently asked questions
The most common sources of electricity are fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy. Fossil fuels include coal, natural gas, and petroleum. Renewable energy sources include hydropower, solar power, wind power, and geothermal power.
Coal is the largest source of electricity production globally, followed by gas.
Other sources of electricity include nuclear power, bioenergy, hydro, solar, wind, and other renewables such as wave and tidal power.
Humans have been harnessing energy from the sun, wind, and water for thousands of years. In the late 1800s, hydropower became the first commercial electricity generation source. In 1880, Michigan's Grand Rapids Electric Light and Power Co. generated electricity using hydropower.
