FORMS OF ENERGY

Let's start with the basics. The word “energy” originates from Greek “energeia”,
which means activity or operation. In physics it is defined as the capacity to
perform work. Energy is an abstract property that cannot be perceived-- it is not
something that you can see or touch. It cannot be created or destroyed; but can
only be converted from one form to another.
Although casually it is common to talk about generation, consumption or loss of
energy, in reality it is neither generated, consumed or lost. It is transformed from
one form into others, but its net amount in any closed system is conserved.
Scientists believe that the total amount of energy in the universe also remains
constant over time although there is no way to practically verify this.

Energy exists in various forms subject to a number of classifications, which

sometimes overlap. In classical physics all these forms are often classified into
two main categories: kinetic and potential. Kinetic energy by definition is
associated with motion, such as motion of machines, wind, thermal motion of
particles of matter, or solar electromagnetic radiation. Potential energy is
associated with an object's position in a force field, a system arrangement (such
as chemical or nuclear binding), or an object tension. For reference, there are
four types of force fields: gravitational, electromagnetic, strong nuclear, and weak
nuclear. For every system all these energies can additionally be classified as
internal and external to the system.

Energy exists in various forms subject to a number of classifications, which

sometimes overlap. In classical physics all these forms are often classified into
two main categories: kinetic and potential. Kinetic energy by definition is
associated with motion, such as motion of machines, wind, thermal motion of
particles of matter, or solar electromagnetic radiation. Potential energy is
associated with an object's position in a force field, a system arrangement (such
as chemical or nuclear binding), or an object tension. For reference, there are
four types of force fields: gravitational, electromagnetic, strong nuclear, and weak
nuclear. For every system all these energies can additionally be classified as
internal and external to the system.

Electricity is energy that has been harnessed and refined from a wide range of sources
and is suitable for diverse uses. Here are six common energy sources used to make
electricity:
 Chemical energy. This is stored, or “potential,” energy. Releasing chemical energy
from in carbon-based fuels generally requires combustion – for example the burning of
coal, oil,natural gas, or a biomass such as wood.
 Thermal energy. Typical sources of thermal energy are heat from underground hot
springs, combustion of fossil fuels and biomass (per above) or industrial processes.
 Kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is movement, which occurs when water moves with
tides or flows downstream, or when air moves wind turbines in the wind.
 Nuclear energy. This is the energy stored in the bonds inside atoms and molecules.
Whennuclear energy is released, it can emit radioactivity and heat (thermal energy) as
well.
 Rotational energy. This is the energy of spinning, typically produced by mechanical
devices such as flywheels.

How electricity is generated

Over the centuries we have harnessed the energy of the wind (for sailing ships), and falling
water (flour mills) and used wood to heat water to generate steam (for trains and cotton
mills).

Power in the form of electricity today is mostly sourced from the chemical energy of fuel -
whether it's natural gas, coal or oil. This chemical energy is first converted to heat energy,
then to mechanical energy and finally to electrical energy. The intermediate steps are
carried out by means of boilers, turbines and generators.

There are several different forms of electrical generation - hydroelectric, nuclear, wind and
solar. Each has unique aspects, but they all operate on the similar principle of converting
some form of fuel into heat energy, then mechanical energy and finally electrical energy.

The Boiler

Fuel is burned in a boiler and the heat is used to produce steam under pressure. The steam
is collected in a cylinder at the top of the boiler. From the boiler steam is led through heat-
insulated pipes to the steam turbine.

The Turbine

A turbine is a machine powered by gas or steam. A steam turbine contains a horizontal shaft
fitted with a number of wheels, each carrying many blades. The steam passes through these
blades, making the shaft rotate at high speed, just as the wind turns the blades of a
windmill. When the steam has given up its energy to the turbine shaft, it is condensed back
into water in a 'condenser' and returned to the boiler to repeat the cycle. A gas turbine
works much the same way, except hot air replaces the steam.

The Generator

The turbine shaft turns the electromagnet of the generator, changing the mechanical
energy from the turbine into electrical energy. This electric energy takes the form of
Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC).

Alternating Current

A powerful electromagnet (rotor) is mounted on a shaft which rotates inside a cylindrical

iron shell (stator) containing slots through which the conductors are wound. The current
flows momentarily in one direction through the conductors and then reverses. This is called
'Alternating Current' (AC).

The AC used throughout South Australia flows alternately in each direction 50 times each
second. In technical terms this frequency of change of direction is measured in hertz (Hz).

Direct Current

A current which continuously flows in one direction is called a 'Direct Current' (DC).

Hydro Electric Power

The energy produced by the flow of water can be transformed into electricity by a
hydroelectric power scheme. The Snowy Mountains hydroelectric scheme is the best known
Australian example of hydroelectric generation.

Dams are used to create big reservoirs of water, either by raising the levels of natural lakes
or rivers.

Tunnels, canals, channels and pipelines convey the water from the reservoir to the turbines
in the power stations. The power stations are situated where they can take advantage of
the greatest fall of water, such as at the bottom of a deep and steep-sided valley or gorge.

The water flows through a turbine, which drives an electric generator.

Nuclear Power

Nuclear power unlocks the enormous energy contained in every atom. The fuel used in
nuclear reactors is an element called Uranium. The Uranium produces huge quantities of
heat in a process called nuclear fission, which takes place in the nuclear reactor. This heat
travels through a heat exchanger, which serves as a boiler for rapidly heating up water and
creating steam. This steam is used to power an ordinary steam turbine and generator to
produce electrical energy.

Wind Power

Wind power has been grinding grain and lifting water for centuries. Now it is also used to
generate electricity by using large wind-powered turbines. A typical 300kw turbine has a
large (30 metre diameter), three-bladed rotor rotating. Turbines generally are grouped
together in wind farms.

Solar Energy

While energy from the sun is free, the cost of devices to convert it has been high, and the
conversion from light to electricity has been relatively inefficient, though it is improving.
Some methods include:

Solar Cells (sometimes called photovoltaic cells), which are semi-conductors activated by
light. Their power is determined by the intensity of light falling onto the cell. Many cells are
joined together to provide sufficient electricity to do useful work. Photovoltaic panels are
seen on remote telephones, the roofs of solar cars and on the roofs of houses.

Heliostats or sun-tracking mirrors produce high temperatures that can be used to power
traditional steam turbine generators.

Solar Ponds of salt water that use special low-temperature generators.

Solar Collectors that capture heat from the sun and use it to directly heat water for homes.

Although there are some important technical (and social) differences,

nuclear power stations are thermal plants that make electricity in much
the same way as fossil-fuel plants. The difference is that they generate
steam by using the heat of atomic fission rather than by burning coal,
oil, or gas. The steam then turns a generator as in other thermal plants.

THE LIST OF RENEWABLE RESOURCES

Renewable energy is derived from various natural processes, such as the Sun's electromagnetic radiation,
tides or heat generation within the Earth. Here is a list of the main types of practically utilized alternative
energy sources:

 Sunlight: the solar photon flux can be converted to heat, electricity or chemical energy;
 Wind: the motion of air molecules can be harvested in wind turbines that spin the shaft of electric
generators or in windmills;
  Biomass: organic materials can be used for cooking and heating, as well as to produce electricity
and liquid transportation fuels;
 Earth's internal heat: can be used for heating and electricity production;
 Water: potential and kinetic energy of flowing water can be tapped to produce electricity or
mechanical tasks.
Note that there is some controversy about classification of nuclear power. Usually it is excluded from the
list of renewables. However, it is known, for example, that rivers eroding the Earth crust replenish Uranium
dissolved in seawater. Also, nuclear fission in so-called breeder reactors creates more fissile isotopes than it
consumes. So, although technically raw nuclear fuels are finite, because of their enormously large amount
and because of the above replenishing processes, they might be considered RE as well. After all, bio-fuels
are finite too, but they are treated as RE.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

Not surprisingly, each method of power generation has its pros and cons. RE of course is inexhaustible and
environmentally friendly. It has another important advantage. Small individual power generators that are
integrated into the grid reduce the impact of blackouts caused by a failure of centralized equipment or
distribution lines. The distributed power technologies in general improve the overall system security.
Notwithstanding their clear benefits, all forms of RE have their disadvantages too. Renewable resources are
not always available where and when they are needed. For example, hydropower resources are limited by
geography and are often located in remote areas. They require installation of expensive electric lines to the
cities. Solar and wind power are intermittent by nature. Which brings us to another major technical issue
with RE: the storage. One of the problems of electricity is that it cannot be efficiently stored in large
quantities for later use. It is unpractical for example to have a battery backup in a gigawatt-scale power
plant. Also, while RE systems generally do not produce as much air pollution as fossil fuels, they too have
a certain negative impact on the environment. Finally, RE is still more expensive that traditional one. All
the above factors are limiting the growth of RE. Currently, the share of renewable energy sources in net
energy production is only about 10% worldwide and 8% in the United States.
Cost
Power Plant Type
$/kW-hr
Coal $0.095-0.15
Natural Gas $0.07-0.14
Nuclear $0.095
Wind $0.07-0.20
Solar PV $0.125
Solar Thermal $0.24
Geothermal $0.05
Biomass $0.10
Hydro $0.08
2
Adapted from US DOE

COST COMPARISON OF ENERGY SOURCES 2016

While raw forms of energy are both free and practically infinite, the equipment and materials needed to
collect, process, and transport the energy to the users are neither one. Currently, the RE costs are generally
higher than that of fossil-based and nuclear energy. In addition to this, unlike well-established conventional
designs, the advancement in different RE technologies still requires substantial investments. The
economists often use so-called levelized energy costs (LEC) when comparing different technologies.
The LEC represents the total cost to build and operate a new power plant over its life divided to equal
annual payments and amortized over expected annual electricity generation. It reflects all the costs
including initial capital, return on investment, continuous operation, fuel, and maintenance, as well as the
time required to build a plant and its expected lifetime. This table compares the US average levelized
electricity cost in dollars per kilowatt-hour for both non-renewable and alternative fuels in new power
plants, based on US EIA statistics and analysis from Annual Energy Outlook 2014. Note, that the numbers
for each source are given for a different capacity factor, which complicates direct comparison

WHY ALTERNATIVES ARE IMPORTANT

Fossil-based fuels (oil, coal, and natural gas) currently provide about 85% of all the energy use both in US
and worldwide. We all know that these resources are being constantly depleted and can't be replaced within
any practical time span. People often wonder how long exactly would they last? The remaining amount of a
particular resource is often characterized by so-called Reserves-to-Production ratio (R/P). In plain
language, R/P basically gives us the length of time the reserves would last if their usage continue at the
current rate. Here are estimated world total R/P ratios for the main conventional fuels: oil - 46 years,
natural gas - 58 years, coal - 118 years. Of course, the usage is constantly changing and once in a while
new deposits are found. That's why the above numbers are corrected every year.
Aside from being finite, energy production from fossil fuels results in by-products of combustion, or
emissions. These emissions affect our environment and may be causing the climate change. In
contrast, renewable energy (RE) resources, as the name implies, are constantly replenished naturally and
will never be exhausted. Their use generally has a much lower environmental impact than that of
conventional fuels. That is why the technologies that utilize them are often called "green". In addition, RE
can boost US energy security by reducing our dependence on the imports. All these factors, coupled with
the government incentives and mandates, result in growing interest in using alternative sources of energy.
Nuclear power plants contain reactors that create controlled chain-reaction fission, a
process that continuously splits the nuclei of uranium atoms. This process produces a
lot of energy, radiation, and very high heat.

Nuclear power plants harness the energy released by fission and put it to use to drive
generators that produce electricity. Although nuclear power contributes only about 20
percent of the electricity generated in the United States, the nation’s nuclear capacity is
the highest of any other country – 101 gigawatts in 2010.

Nuclear reactors have these components in common:

Fuel – Uranium, a radioactive, heavy metal ore, is the most common fuel for nuclear
reactors. Following the enrichment process, uranium becomes a very concentrated
fuel.
A commercial nuclear reactor requires thousands of pounds of enriched uranium fuel in
order to operate. Civilian nuclear power plants in the U.S. purchase approximately 50
million pounds of uranium (U3O8 equivalent) fuel annually, the majority of which
comes from overseas.

Solar panel array, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.Stocktrek Images/Getty

1. Solar Energy
The sun is our most powerful source of energy. Sunlight, or solar energy, can be used
for heating, lighting and cooling homes and other buildings, generating
electricity, water heating, and a variety of industrial processes. The technology used to
harvest the sun's energy is constantly evolving, including water-heating rooftop
pipes, photo-voltaic cells, and mirror arrays

Offshore wind farm in Denmark. monbetsu hokkaido/Moment/Getty

2. Wind Energy
Wind is the movement of air that occurs when warm air rises and cooler air rushes in to
replace it. The energy of the wind has been used for centuries to sail ships and drive
windmills that grind grain. Today, wind energy is captured by wind turbines and used to
generate electricity.More »
3. Hydroelectricity
Water flowing downstream is a powerful force. Water is a renewable resource,
constantly recharged by the global cycle of evaporation and precipitation. The heat of
the sun causes water in lakes and oceans to evaporate and form clouds. The water then
falls back to Earth as rain or snow, and drains into rivers and streams that flow back to
the ocean. Flowing water can be used to power water wheels that drive mechanical
processes. And captured by turbines and generators, like those housed at many dams
around the world, the energy of flowing water can be used to generate electricity. Tiny
turbines can even be used to power single homes.
sA©bastian Rabany/Photononstop/Getty Image

4. Biomass Energy
Biomass has been an important source of energy ever since people first beganburning
wood to cook food and warm themselves against the winter chill. Wood is still the most
common source of biomass energy, but other sources of biomass energy include food
crops, grasses and other plants, agricultural and forestry waste and residue, organic
components from municipal and industrial wastes, even methane gas harvested from
community landfills. Biomass can be used to produce electricity and as fuel for
transportation, or to manufacture products that would otherwise require the use of
non-renewable fossil fuels.

Hydrogen
Hydrogen has tremendous potential as a fuel and energy source. Hydrogen is the most
common element on Earth—for example, water is two-thirds hydrogen—but in nature
it is always found in combination with other elements. Once separated from other
elements, hydrogen can be used to power vehicles, replacenatural gas for heating and
cooking, and to generate electricity.In 2015, the first production passenger car powered
by hydrogen became available in Japan and the United States.
Jeremy Woodhouse/Blend Images/Getty

6. Geothermal Energy
The heat inside the Earth produces steam and hot water that can be used to power
generators and produce electricity, or for other applications such as home heating and
power generation for industry.Geothermal energy can be drawn from deep
underground reservoirs by drilling, or from other geothermal reservoirs closer to the
surface. This application is increasingly used to offset heating and cooling costs in
residential and commercial buildings.

Jason Childs/Taxi/Getty Images

Ocean Energy
The ocean provides several forms of renewable energy, and each one is driven by
different forces. Energy from ocean waves and tides can be harnessed to generate
electricity, and ocean thermal energy—from the heat stored in sea water—can also be
converted to electricity. Using current technologies, most ocean energy is not cost-
effective compared to other renewable energy sources, but the ocean remains and
important potential energy source for the future.