Wiktor Wise
Electricity is a secondary energy source derived from the conversion of other energy sources. The three major categories of energy sources for electricity generation are fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), nuclear energy, and renewable energy. The selection of electricity production modes varies according to demand and region, with some states relying almost entirely on fossil fuels, while others focus on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. In 2023, natural gas was the top source of U.S. utility-scale electricity generation, contributing about 43%. Coal, the dominant source for many countries, was the fourth-highest energy source in the U.S., accounting for about 16%. Renewable energy sources, despite typically costing more, are crucial for the health of our planet and include hydropower, solar, wind, and biomass.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sources | Fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, petroleum), nuclear energy, and renewable energy |
| Electricity Generation Technologies | Steam turbines, gas turbines, hydro (water) turbines, wind turbines, solar photovoltaics |
| Fossil Fuel Plants | Coal, oil, or gas |
| Low-Carbon Sources | Nuclear and renewables |
| Hydropower | 16% of worldwide electricity generation in 2017 |
| Nuclear Power | No greenhouse gases produced in the fission process |
| Solar Energy | Sun's light and heat |
| Geothermal Power | Less than 1% of total U.S. utility-scale electricity generation in 2023 |
| Biomass | 1% of total U.S. utility-scale electricity generation in 2023 |
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Fossil fuels
The burning of fossil fuels for energy began around the Industrial Revolution, and consumption has changed significantly over the centuries in terms of what and how much is burned. Fossil fuels are extracted through mining or drilling, and they are burned to produce electricity or refined for use as fuel for heating or transportation. Fossil fuel-fired power plants are a leading source of air pollution, and coal combustion is the largest single source of sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions, which contribute to acid rain and damage to lakes, streams, forests, grasslands, and other ecosystems. Coal is also the second-largest source of nitrogen oxides (NOx), which together with SO2 form fine particulate matter (PM).
Despite the strong growth of renewable energy sources in recent decades, fossil fuels remain dominant worldwide, and their use for electricity generation continues to increase. In 2022, fossil fuels were still the most common fuel type for electricity production in the United States, with natural gas accounting for about 39.8% of total energy production, followed by coal at 19.7%. Globally, more than a third of electricity comes from low-carbon sources, but fossil fuels still generate the majority of electricity, predominantly from coal and gas. Oil accounts for only a small share of electricity production from fossil fuels, with most coming from coal and gas.
As low-carbon sources of energy, such as nuclear and renewables, become more readily available, a rapid transition away from fossil fuels is necessary to address climate change and reduce air pollution. Fossil fuels are the largest source of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and over the past 20 years, nearly three-fourths of human-caused emissions have come from burning them. Coal is the most polluting energy source in terms of CO2 emissions and local air pollution, so moving away from coal energy is crucial for mitigating climate change and protecting human health.
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Renewable energy sources
One of the most prominent renewable energy sources is solar power, which captures sunlight using solar panels through the photovoltaic effect. Solar energy is the most abundant energy resource and is the fastest-growing sector in renewable energy jobs, offering a wide range of employment opportunities. Despite its potential, solar power generation is dependent on the availability of sunlight, which varies according to location, season, and time of day.
Wind power is another significant renewable energy source, particularly in the UK and US. Wind farms, both onshore and offshore, utilize large wind turbines to convert the kinetic energy of the spinning blades into electrical energy. The global technical potential for wind energy is vast, and advancements in technology, such as taller turbines and larger rotor diameters, have increased electricity production.
Hydropower, which relies on the flow of water to generate electricity, is currently the largest source of renewable energy in the electricity sector. However, its environmental impact, particularly on ecosystems and local populations, has led to a preference for small-scale hydro in some cases.
Other renewable energy sources include bioenergy or biomass, which involves burning organic matter as fuel. While this process releases carbon dioxide, these fuel sources are considered renewable because they can be regrown, and they absorb as much carbon as they emit over their lifespans. Geothermal energy, which utilizes the Earth's internal heat, and ocean energy, which harnesses the kinetic and thermal energy of seawater, are also part of the renewable energy landscape.
The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources is crucial in addressing the climate crisis and reducing carbon emissions. With the growing demand for sustainable energy, the expansion of renewable energy sectors, such as solar and wind power, is vital to securing a cleaner and more affordable energy future.
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Nuclear energy
Nuclear fusion, on the other hand, is the process of fusing atoms together. While nuclear fusion is not currently used in power plants to produce electricity, it is the process that powers the sun, where hydrogen atoms fuse to form helium.
Nuclear power plants use nuclear reactors to control and contain the chain reactions of nuclear fission, producing heat that generates electricity. Nuclear energy is a significant source of electricity worldwide, with about 9% of the world's electricity produced from nuclear power in 2022. As of 2021, 33 countries operated commercial nuclear power plants, and nuclear energy supplied at least 20% of their total annual electricity generation. Nuclear energy is particularly prominent in France, which had the second-largest nuclear electricity generation capacity and derived about 68% of its electricity from nuclear sources.
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Hydroelectric power
Electricity is generated from a variety of energy sources and technologies, including fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy. One of the oldest and largest sources of renewable energy is hydropower, also known as hydroelectric power. This form of electricity generation harnesses the natural flow of moving water to produce electricity. Hydropower has been utilised for thousands of years, initially for tasks such as grinding grain, and it continues to play a crucial role in electricity generation today.
In 2023, hydropower supplied approximately 15% of the world's electricity, amounting to nearly 4,210 TWh. This makes it the leading renewable energy source, surpassing all other technologies combined. Hydropower is particularly prominent in countries like Brazil, Norway, and China, where it plays a significant role in their energy landscapes.
Hydropower offers several advantages, including its ability to provide large amounts of low-carbon electricity on demand. It is a flexible source of energy, allowing the amount of electricity produced to be adjusted quickly in response to varying demand. Additionally, hydropower facilities have long lifespans, typically operating for 65-85 years, and incur relatively low maintenance and operational costs.
Despite its benefits, hydropower development and construction have been associated with environmental concerns and geographical limitations. The flooding of reservoirs behind dams can impact local populations and ecosystems, as evidenced by the displacement of 1.3 million people during the construction of the Three Gorges Dam in China. Additionally, when constructed in lowland rainforest areas, hydropower projects can result in substantial greenhouse gas emissions.
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Solar energy
Photovoltaic (PV) systems generate electricity directly from sunlight via an electronic process that occurs naturally in certain types of materials, called semiconductors. PV systems were initially used as a source of electricity for small and medium-sized applications, such as calculators or remote homes. Since then, as the cost of solar panels has decreased, grid-connected solar PV systems' capacity and production have doubled roughly every three years. In 2011, the International Energy Agency highlighted the potential of solar energy technologies, stating that "the development of affordable, inexhaustible, and clean solar energy technologies will have huge longer-term benefits."
Concentrating solar power (CSP) systems use mirrors or lenses and solar tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam, often driving a steam turbine. CSP systems are primarily used in very large power plants. 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 power, with China contributing more than half of the solar growth.
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Frequently asked questions
Electricity is a secondary energy source that is obtained from the conversion of other sources of energy. These sources are known as "primary sources" and include coal, natural gas, oil, nuclear power, and renewable sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower.
Some common sources of electricity include:
- Fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum)
- Nuclear energy
- Renewable energy sources (wind, solar, hydropower)
Coal is currently the largest source of electricity globally, followed by gas.
Examples of renewable energy sources include solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal power, and biomass.
Primary sources of electricity are the energy sources that are converted into electricity, such as coal, natural gas, and oil. Secondary sources, like electricity, are the result of converting or transforming these primary sources into a new form of energy.
