Electric energy sources

Electric Energy Sources

Electric energy is not readily available in nature. Therefore, we must generate electric energy from natural sources. Electric energy generation is the conversion of other kinds of energy, primarily primary energy, into electric energy.

Generally, the process of generating electricity involves several transformations since there is little primary energy directly convertible into electric energy. The primary sources for the generation of electric energy are listed below:

• Coal: Coal is a fossil fuel that is burned to produce heat, which is then used to generate electricity. It has been a major source of energy but contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Solar energy: Solar energy is harnessed using photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity. It is one of the most abundant and clean sources of energy.
• Oil: Oil is another fossil fuel used to generate electricity and power vehicles. Its extraction and use have significant environmental consequences.
• Wind energy: Wind energy is captured using wind turbines that convert the kinetic energy of wind into electricity.
• Natural gas: Natural gas is a cleaner-burning fossil fuel compared to coal and oil but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
• Tidal energy: Tidal energy uses the rise and fall of ocean tides to generate electricity, often with the help of underwater turbines.
• Nuclear energy: Nuclear power is generated by splitting atoms in a process called fission. It produces a large amount of energy with low greenhouse gas emissions but poses challenges such as radioactive waste disposal.
• Thermal energy: Thermal energy involves using heat from various sources (e.g., geothermal, solar thermal) to generate electricity.

Types of sources available for electric energy

Generally two types of  energy sources are available in nature. They are

• Renewable  sources
• Non renewable  sources

Renewable Energy Sources

Renewable energy sources are naturally replenished and can be considered infinite. These sources are sustainable and not likely to run out. Examples include:

• Solar Energy: Solar energy is harnessed using photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity.
• Wind Energy: Wind energy is captured using wind turbines that convert the kinetic energy of wind into electricity.
• Hydro Energy: Also known as hydroelectric power, it generates electricity by using the flow of water to spin turbines.

Non-Renewable Energy Sources

Non-renewable energy sources are finite and will eventually deplete. These sources have been the dominant forms of energy production but come with significant environmental impacts. Examples include:

• Coal: Coal is a fossil fuel that is burned to produce heat, which is then used to generate electricity. It has been a major source of energy but contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Oil: Oil is another fossil fuel used to generate electricity and power vehicles. Its extraction and use have significant environmental consequences.
• Natural Gas: Natural gas is a cleaner-burning fossil fuel compared to coal and oil but still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
• Nuclear Energy: Nuclear power is generated by splitting atoms in a process called fission. It produces a large amount of energy with low greenhouse gas emissions but poses challenges such as radioactive waste disposal.

Emerging and Alternative Energy Sources

In addition to the traditional sources of energy, emerging and alternative sources are gaining attention for their potential to provide cleaner and more sustainable energy:

• Geothermal Energy: Geothermal energy harnesses heat from the Earth’s interior to generate electricity.
• Biomass: Biomass energy is produced by burning organic materials such as wood, agricultural waste, and other biological sources.
• Hydrogen Fuel Cells: Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, with water as the only byproduct.

Applications and Case Studies

Many countries are investing in renewable energy sources to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and combat climate change. For example, Denmark has made significant investments in wind energy, making it one of the leading countries in wind power production.

Lifespan of Energy Sources

The lifespan of energy sources varies:

• Fossil Fuels: Finite and are being depleted rapidly.
• Nuclear Energy: Potentially long lifespan but depends on resource availability and waste management.
• Renewable Energy: Infinite as long as the sun shines, the wind blows, and water flows.

Nuclear Power to Electric Energy

Nuclear energy is produced through nuclear fission, where atoms are split to release energy. This energy is used to heat water, creating steam that drives turbines to generate electricity. Nuclear power provides a significant portion of the world’s electricity, with the advantage of low greenhouse gas emissions. However, it comes with challenges such as radioactive waste disposal and the risk of nuclear accidents.

Common Misconceptions About Electric Energy Sources

• Renewable energy alone can immediately replace fossil fuels: While renewable energy is essential for a sustainable future, the transition requires a combination of different energy sources and significant infrastructure investments.
• Nuclear energy is too dangerous to be a viable energy source: While nuclear energy does pose risks, advancements in technology and safety protocols have made it a more viable and low-carbon option.

Need for sources for the production of electric energy

Electric energy is not readily available in nature. We need a primary energy in order to get electric energy. Electric energy cannot be created nor destroyed but it can be transferred from one form to another form.

Hence in order to get electric energy some primary energy must be converted to electrical energy. Some of the examples showing how energy sources are used for the production of electric energy is explained below.

Solar energy source

• Solar electric energy is created by using Photovoltaic (PV) technology by converting solar energy into solar electricity from sunlight.
• Photovoltaic systems use sunlight to power ordinary electrical equipment, for example, household appliances, computers and lighting.
• The photovoltaic (PV) process converts free solar energy - the most abundant energy source on the planet - directly into solar power.
• A PV cell consists of two or more thin layers of semi-conducting material, most commonly silicon.
• When the silicon is exposed to light, electrical charges are generated and this can be conducted away by metal contacts as direct current (DC).
• The electrical output from a single cell is small, so multiple cells are connected together and encapsulated (usually behind glass) to form a module (sometimes referred to as a “panel”).
• The PV module is the principle building block of a PV system and any number of modules can be connected together to give the desired electrical output.
• PV equipment has no moving parts and as a result requires minimal maintenance.
• It generates solar electric energy without producing emissions of greenhouse or any other gases, and its operation is virtually silent.

Nuclear power to Electric Energy

Nuclear plants use uranium fuel to produce electricity from a process called fission. Two types of Uranium fuel is used. U-238 and U-235. Uranium fuel is mostly made up of U-238 but U-235 splits easily (fission) and therefore it is unstable. So when the nuclei splits, they release neutrons. These neutrons hit other nearby uranium atoms causing it to also split and release their neutrons alongside heat energy also.The neutrons then hit other atoms causing them to split and release their neutrons and energy and so on. The fission chain continues. Rods, called control rods are used to control this fission reaction. The heat energy produced from this fission reaction is used to heat up water and produce steam which in turn drives a turbine, that spins a generator to produce electricity.

Points to Remember

• Electric energy cannot be created not destroyed.
• Electric energy can transform form one form to another form of energy.
• Hence primary energy sources are needed to produce electric energy.
• Two types of energy sources, renewable and non renewable energy source.

• Since non renewable energy sources are depleting , future electric energy needs can be satistified by renewable energy sources

• Renewable Energy Sources: These sources are sustainable, eco-friendly, and are rapidly becoming more cost-effective.
• Non-Renewable Energy Sources: Although these have been the primary sources of electricity for decades, they have significant environmental impacts and are finite.
• Emerging Technologies: Innovations such as hydrogen fuel cells and advanced geothermal systems hold promise for a sustainable energy future.

Other Types of Electric Energy

• Electric energy
• Electric potential energy
• Define Electric Energy
• Definition of electric energy
• General electric energy
• Example of electric energy
• Electric energy generation
• Electric energy formula
• What is hydro electric energy
• Electric energy sources
• Hydro electric energy
• Electric energy equation
• Electrical energy to heat energy
• Information about electrical energy
• Potential electric energy
• Images of electrical energy
• How is electrical energy used
• Electric energy density
• Electrical energy conversion
• Electric Energy Consumption
• Picture of electrical energy

Quiz on Electric energy sources

FAQ on Electric energy sources