What is Electricityand how is it generated?

Electricity: The movement of electrons through a conductor. Generator: A device that creates electrical current. The most common methods of generating electricity include:

• Burning coal• Burning natural gas• Burning petroleum• Nuclear fission• Hydroelectric

There are two types of energy resources in the world:

renewable and non-renewable.

Renewable energy:energy that comes from

natural resources that are either continuously

replenished (e.g., sun, wind) or are replenished over a reasonably short period of

time

Nonrenewable energy:energy resources that

cannot be replenished in a short period of time,

because it took millions of years to form these

resources (e.g., petroleum, coal, natural gas). 

Coal Power in the USAElectricity generated from

coal accounts for over 50% of electricity in the USA!

American Coal Foundation, 2010

Coal Power in the USA

This process is very similar to those processes used for petroleum and natural gas conversion into electricity.

NATURALGAS

American Coal Foundation, 2010

PETROLEUM

http://www.turn.org/

Coal Power in the USA1. A pulverizer grinds the coal into a

fine powder.2. This coal powder mixes with hot

air, which is then moved to a furnace. The mixture helps coal burn more efficiently.

3. The burning coal mixture heats water in a boiler, which creates steam.

4. The steam released from the boiler begins to spin, and ultimately power, a turbine engine. Use of a turbine allows for transformation of heat energy (from the burning coal mixture) into mechanical energy that spins a turbine engine

5. The spinning turbine powers a generator (a machine that turns mechanical energy into electrical energy).

6. A condenser cools the steam moving through the turbine. When steam is condensed, it turns back into liquid water.

7. The water returns to the boiler and the process repeats itself with fresh pulverized coal. American Coal Foundation, 2010

Hydroelectric Power in the USA

Hydroelectric power comes from the potential energy of dammed water driving a water turbine and generator.

Nuclear Power in the USA

http://www.hss.energy.gov/nsrf/map_nuclear_sites.htm

What about alternative forms of electricity

production?Technology for alternative methods of generating electricity using renewable energy resources include:

• Solar energy• Wind• Biomass

These technologies may still be in development and/or not as economically feasible making their usage less common currently.

Renewable Energy Technologiesin the USA