Different Types of Electrical Sources

Like most people, you rely on electricity daily, but probably don’t give much thought as to where it comes from, or how it magically appears in your home to power your various electronic devices. However it pays to take a look, as between current global environmental concerns and the changing geopolitical climate, you don’t want to end up ‘in the dark.’

Going with the Flow: How Electricity Powers the World

Simply put, electricity involves the flow of electrons, which are defined by current. There are two main kinds of current: DC or direct current – a ‘flow’ of energy like you get from a battery; and AC, or alternating current (like from your wall outlets) – which reverses the direction of electrons, allowing current flow to turn on and off. But that current must be sourced or created. Luckily, there are many different ways, ranging from the simplest static electrical charge produced by merely rubbing materials together, to the infinitely complex process of harnessing nuclear energy as a power source.

Infinite Potential: Common Energy Sourcing Options

Nearly all forms of sourcing energy involve turbine use. For fossil fuel generated power, this involves combustion for the production of steam and gases to rotate turbine shafts, which, when connected to a generator, convert this mechanical energy into electrical current. In renewable options, however, the source itself typically fuels turbine movement….

• Natural Gas: Natural gas combustion alone, or as part of a furnace/boiler system, propels turbines to create energy.
• Coal: Most power plants use coal-fired steam turbines to generate power, though a few convert coal to a gas before using it in turbines.
• Petroleum: Petroleum can also be burned to produce combustion gases or steam to power turbines.
• Nuclear Power: With nuclear power, nuclear fission produces the energy-generating steam necessary to spin turbines and generate electricity.
• Hydropower: Hydropower from dams and other setups power turbines via flowing water.
• Wind: Like giant pinwheels, turbines capture energy from the wind for conversion into electricity.
• Biomass: Derived from plant and animal waste, materials are burned directly and used as other fuels to power turbines or internal combustion generators.
• Solar: Energy from the sun is captured in photovoltaic solar cells, heating fluids to produce steam and drive turbines.
• Geothermal: Heat from within the earth is harnessed to for heating water into steam to power turbines.

Looking Into the Future

The Institute for Energy Research (IER) points to fossil fuels leading the way as the top energy source through 2040, supplying 80 percent of energy needs. However, in a study by the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), it has been noted we could generate the majority of its energy from renewable sources by 2050. And this can be done with feasibly and affordably with currently available technologies (wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, and biopower) – provided the nation take the steps necessary to reach this goal.

Are you doing all you can to ensure the efficient use of electricity in your home or business, to protect against the rapid depletion of our limited fossil fuel resources? Save the planet (and your budget). Schedule your home or commercial energy audit with Mr. Electric today.