To me electrical energy was one of man’s greatest discoveries. It has helped build new civilizations. The large amount of electricity produced around the world has its source in fossil fuels, nuclear fission, water, and wind. This blog will briefly explore the different methods of electricity production.
Generally large scale electricity is produced by turning enormous turbines. These turbines need a support to be able to be turned. There are a number of ways of turning these turbines:
Burning of fossil fuels:
Electricity is produced when the blades of a turbine are turned by enormous amounts of vapor. The vapor is generated by heating large amounts of water in huge boiler. The water is heated by burning fossil fuels like coal, petroleum products, and even natural gas. This method releases enormous amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, thus severely polluting our planet. It is important that we look to turn to alternate methods of electricity production for long-term benefits.
By water:
You will be aware that dams are constructed to produce electricity. A popular method to produce electricity, a water dam serves two purposes: producing electricity and unfortunately restricting the natural flow of bodies of water. Dams divert the rivers flow of water to turn turbines, helping them produce electricity. Electricity generated this way helps prevent the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere (air pollution); however, this method of electricity production adversely affects the ecosystem in the rivers.
Although water is becoming scarce it accounts for 90 percent of the world’s electricity generated through renewable resources.
By wind:
Electricity is produced when the force of the wind (wind energy) is converted to electrical energy. This occurs when the blades on wind turbine are turned by the force of the wind. This wind energy is then converted into electrical energy via the wind turbine.
By nuclear fission:
Most of us know that nuclear fission not only made the atom bomb, but is also used to produce electricity. Nuclear fission causes a chain reaction where the element Uranium is bombarded by neutrons causing it to split. Every time a Uranium nucleus is split, more neutrons are released, causing more splits in the already split Uranium nuclei. The resultant chain reaction generates a lot of heat which is used to heat water*. As with the fossil fuel methods the water vapor is used to turn the blades of a turbine to create electricity.
* Based on information from http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/nu/Nuclear_fission
By bio-mass:
With technological advancements, electricity is also being produced by bio-mass. The use of biomass for energy production is essentially the reversal of photosynthesis. This energy is released when the plant or waste is burned or converted to fuel.
During the energy conversion process energy is usually released in the form of heat which is used to generate electricity.
Bio-mass is a typical way of generating electricity in rural areas in countries like India. In fact, a new technology evolved in the state of Bihar in India that uses human waste to generate electricity.
The learn how to produce your own electricity for your home please read my blog here or go to Earth4Energy
