Methods of Electrical Generation
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Posted On :
Jun-20-2009
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Article Word Count :
467
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Most of the electricity produced in the world today is produced by dirty, polluting coal-fired power plants, for the simple reason that this remains the cheapest way of producing electricity on a large scale. There are, however, other ways in which it can be produced:
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Most of the electricity produced in the world today is produced by dirty, polluting coal-fired power plants, for the simple reason that this remains the cheapest way of producing electricity on a large scale. There are, however, other ways in which it can be produced:
Although it still produces the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide when burned, Natural Gas is by far the cleanest and most efficient fossil fuel based method of generating electricity. This is partly due to the fact that the combustion gases themselves can be used to turn the turbine as well as the water vapour that the gas is primarily being used to heat.
Although it is more commonly used as automobile fuel, petrol can also be used to heat water into the steam that turns a turbine. However, it is residual fuel oil, which is what is left over when crude oil has been refined into saleable products such as gas, automobile and aviation fuel, and plastic, that is used, as this can be purchased comparatively cheaply.
Nuclear power plants work on the principle that when an atom is split, huge amounts of energy are released, which can then be used to heat the water that propels the steam turbines. Although they produce little in the way of greenhouse gases, they are intermittent, and do produce a certain amount of hazardous waste.
One of the oldest sources of power for machinery, flowing water, or hydro power, is also one of the cleanest and most renewable. Hydro power stations either take the form of a huge dammed reservoir with a small, high pressure waterfall outlet that drives a turbine, or in the case of stations near fast-flowing rivers, the flow of the river itself is used to turn the turbines.
One potentially massive source of heat is the hot rocks just below the surface of the earth. Although Geothermal power plants currently only exist in locations where these rocks are unusually near the surface, sending underground water shooting through the surface in the form of a hot spring, it is hoped that advances in drilling technology will eventually mean that these plants can be built anywhere in the world.
Photovoltaic cells, also known as solar panels, can trap the energy in the suns solar rays and turn it into electricity. The heat from the sun can also be focussed using special lenses to heat water for steam turbines in a process known as solar thermal generation.
Finally, Wind Power, one of the fastest growing of all the renewable sources of electricity, works by using a good old fashioned windmill to drive a generator directly. However, the power generated in this way is as intermittent as the wind itself, although engineers are increasingly finding ways around this.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Methods of Electrical Generation _1258.aspx
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Author Resource :
British Gas are one of the most eco friendly electricity companies in the United Kingdom. Save up to 40% on your electric bills by switching today!
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Keywords :
electricity, electricity supplier, gas electric,
Category :
Home and Family
:
Home and Family
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