Molly Ayala
Electricity is a secondary energy source derived from the conversion of other sources of energy known as primary sources. These primary sources can be renewable or non-renewable. Globally, more than a third of electricity comes from low-carbon sources, with renewables making up a larger portion than nuclear energy. However, the majority is still generated from fossil fuels, predominantly coal, oil, and natural gas. In the United States, natural gas is the top source of electricity, but this varies by state. Nuclear energy, generated through the splitting of atoms, is an environmentally-friendly form of electricity production that does not contribute to air pollution. Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are better for the planet's health but typically cost more than other sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electricity Sources | Fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), nuclear, renewables (solar, wind, hydropower, tidal, biomass) |
| Global Electricity Generation | More than a third from low-carbon sources, majority from fossil fuels |
| Electricity Generation in the U.S. | Natural gas (43%), coal (16%), nuclear (18%), renewables (21%) |
| Challenges | Climate change, pollution, environmental destruction, cost of renewables |
| Advantages of Nuclear Power | No greenhouse gases, reliable, affordable, long-lasting |
| Advantages of Renewables | Environmentally friendly, growing quickly |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels
Fossil fuel power stations burn fossil fuels to produce electricity. They have machines that convert the heat energy of combustion into mechanical energy, which then powers an electrical generator. The prime mover may be a steam turbine, a gas turbine, or, in small plants, a reciprocating gas engine. All plants use the energy extracted from the expansion of a hot gas, either steam or combustion gas. Fossil fuel power stations are very reliable and can run for many months without interruption, providing large amounts of electricity regardless of the time of day, the weather, or the season.
The efficiency of a fossil fuel plant may be expressed as its heat rate, in BTU/kilowatthour or megajoules/kilowatthour. Typical thermal efficiency for utility-scale electrical generators is around 37% for coal and oil-fired plants, and 56–60% for combined-cycle gas-fired plants. Fossil fuel plants operating as heat engines cannot exceed the Carnot cycle limit for converting heat energy into useful work.
The use of fossil fuels for electricity generation has several drawbacks. Firstly, they are a major contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions, with coal-fired power plants producing more greenhouse gas and pollution than an equivalent amount of petroleum or natural gas. Secondly, they can have negative health impacts on local populations due to air pollution. Finally, the progress made in renewable energy sources has been offset by a decline in nuclear energy, which is a low-carbon source of electricity.
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Nuclear energy
Nuclear fission involves splitting the nucleus of an atom into several smaller nuclei, while releasing energy. Nuclear fusion, on the other hand, is where nuclei fuse together to form a larger atom. The nuclear energy used to produce electricity is through nuclear fission. During nuclear fission, a neutron collides with a uranium atom and splits it, releasing a large amount of energy in the form of heat and radiation. This heat warms the reactor's cooling agent, typically water, to produce steam. The steam then turns turbines, which drive generators or engines that create electricity.
Nuclear power is an environmentally-friendly form of electricity generation, as it does not produce greenhouse gases or contribute to air pollution. Nuclear reactors generate close to one-third of the world's carbon-free electricity and are crucial in meeting climate change goals. In 2018, nuclear power generated 10.5% of the world's electricity. Some countries, such as Lithuania, France, and Slovakia, create almost all of their electricity from nuclear power plants. Nuclear energy is also a very reliable source of electricity, as nuclear power plants can run for many months without interruption and provide large amounts of clean electricity, regardless of the time of day, weather, or season.
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Hydropower
There are four main types of hydropower plants: run-of-river, storage, pumped storage, and offshore hydropower. Pumped storage hydropower, in particular, operates like a rechargeable battery. It stores energy by pumping water uphill to a higher reservoir and then releasing it to turn a turbine and generate electricity when needed. This type of hydropower can complement variable renewables like wind and solar by providing electricity when these intermittent sources are unavailable.
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$9.99
Solar power
There are also some challenges associated with solar power. It is weather-dependent, and the output of solar panels is reliant on the strength of the sunshine, which can vary depending on factors such as time of day and cloud cover. Additionally, solar power may require a large amount of land due to the diffuse nature of solar energy. However, agrivoltaics is an innovative approach that enables solar energy generation alongside agricultural practices, and solar farms can provide valuable income for farmers.
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Wind power
The basic principle behind wind turbines is the conversion of wind energy into mechanical power, which can then be used to generate electricity. The wind flow, or motion energy, is captured by the rotor blades of the turbine, which work similarly to airplane wings or helicopter rotor blades. As the wind flows across the blades, the difference in air pressure on either side creates both lift and drag. The lift force is stronger than the drag force, causing the rotor to spin. This rotation is then converted into electricity through either a direct drive turbine or a gearbox setup.
Wind turbines come in two primary types: horizontal-axis and vertical-axis. Horizontal-axis wind turbines are the most common, typically featuring three blades that operate "upwind." These turbines pivot at the top of the tower to ensure the blades face into the wind. Vertical-axis wind turbines, on the other hand, are omnidirectional and do not need to be adjusted to capture wind power.
The output of wind turbines varies with wind speed, and electricity is produced only within an optimal wind speed range. If the wind is too weak or too strong, no electricity is generated. This inherent reliance on weather conditions is a challenge for wind power, along with the significant land requirements for wind farms.
Despite these challenges, wind electricity generation has experienced significant growth over the past three decades. Technological advancements have reduced costs, and government incentives have further propelled the expansion of wind power. In 2022, wind turbines accounted for about 10.3% of total US utility-scale electricity generation, showcasing the increasing importance of wind power in the global energy mix.
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Frequently asked questions
Most of the world's electricity comes from fossil fuels, predominantly coal and natural gas. However, electricity can also be generated from renewable sources like solar, wind, hydropower, and nuclear energy.
Fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas. Fossil fuels have been the main energy source for generating electricity over the past century.
Renewable energy sources are better for the health of our planet. They produce little to no greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to tackling climate change and reducing air pollution.
Examples of renewable energy sources include solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, and nuclear energy.
You can find out where your electricity comes from by researching your utility provider. Some providers publish the mix of energy sources they use online. Additionally, tools like the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) data on electricity generation and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Power Profiler can provide specific information about energy sources by state and zip code.
