Electricity is such an integral part of our lives – no matter where we are or what we do, life without electricity can just come to a standstill. But where does this electricity come from? All we do is press the switches of our homes and expect electricity to illuminate our homes – without once questioning what happens at the background. So here’s a background check, to tell you the ways electricity is generated:
Hydroelectric power:
Purely water-based energy, hydroelectricity is one of the most effective, environment-friendly ways of generating electricity. Water gushes from a great height upon a turbine blade which rotates fast enough to move the copper wire inside the electric generator – this is how hydroelectricity functions. Currently, many countries are resorting to hydroelectric power as a means of their energy generation.
Solar electricity:
Whether it’s on a small scale or large scale, solar electricity is one mode of generation of electricity that will never fail. It is used where water is scarce and also in homes, where the generation of energy through other sources is not possible. The photovoltaic cells in the solar panels capture solar energy radiating from the sun. This energy is then directed to receivers which are in-built with a lot of technologies to convert the solar energy into electric energy. There are solar fields located in some places across the world, which consists nothing but acres and acres of solar panels and reflectors – these have the capacity to generate a lot of energy, enough to suffice the electricity requirements of towns together.
Thermal energy:
Nuclear energy:
This is another form of clean and sustainable energy which is not only efficient but also generates results which are pretty much enormous. Space saving, this form of energy is derived from the fission of uranium atoms, which results in the generation of a thunderous amount of energy. Although nuclear energy comes with its own cons, it’s still a better option than the other polluting sources of electricity.