The process of generating electricity from primary energy sources is called electricity production. This is the stage before electricity can be delivered to consumers. A number of energy-producing systems are used in electricity production. These include solar-thermal energy, natural gas, and biomass. These systems can be used to produce electricity in a variety of ways. These power-producing systems can help meet the growing demand for electricity. These methods have many benefits and are becoming more popular in many countries.
Biomass
Biomass, a renewable fuel, is used to generate electricity. It can also make thermal energy. Biomass electricity systems can be built in locations with reliable biomass resources. The fuel transportation costs are high, and the systems must keep fuel on-site. Below are some of the benefits of producing biomass electricity.
Biomass is a renewable source of energy that emits less carbon dioxide than traditional fossil fuels. It is renewable as long the biomass is sustainably grown. Critics claim that the use of biomass to produce electricity is not sustainable. The argument is also made that biomass from Canada or the USA are not suitable for this type energy production.
Natural gas
Natural gas is an excellent source of electricity. Coal is the worst fossil fuel for electricity generation and releases the most pollution into the environment. The United States' electricity generation industry has been historically one of its most polluting. However environmental regulations have forced generators and suppliers to develop new methods. Today, natural gas plays a growing role in the clean generation of electricity.
Natural gas is often referred to by the term "clean" because it produces fewer unwanted byproducts per unit than petroleum or coal. Natural gas also has significantly lower levels than coal in carbon dioxide. Natural gas also has higher efficiency compared to coal. Natural gas-fired energy plants are 42% more efficient than coal-fired power sources in 2013. Natural gas combined-cycle power plants are also efficient up to 60 percent.
Photovoltaic (PV)
Photovoltaic (PV-) electricity is an increasingly popular renewable energy resource for generating power. Its efficiency is being evaluated and its impact on the environment is being assessed. This study evaluates Georgia's utility-scale production of PV electricity in terms both cost and environmental impact. The study uses a cost per kW of 3.52 USD for PV and evaluates the impact of subsidies and incentives. More than 50% of capital costs associated with PV electricity production must be covered by incentives and subsidies, according to the study.
PV electricity is affordable and has low marginal variable cost, making it an attractive option over base-load capacity. However, due to temporary drop in demand, it is not possible to shut down PV electricity generation. In extreme circumstances, PV electricity production could lead to a negative market value.
Solar-thermal power
Solar-thermal power systems are optical devices that direct the sun's light onto a receiver in order to generate heat. This energy can also be used for hot water heating, industrial processes, and space heating. It can also help to generate electricity. You can harness the heat of the sun by using a heat exchanger to collect it and then use it in a Stirling engine (or steam-driven generator).
While solar thermal energy plants are available commercially, they still require extensive research and development. Prices per kilowatt hours are still approximately three to 4 times higher than the prices for fossil-fuel powered plants. As the market grows, however, costs should drop by 50-60% within the next 10-15 years, if there is more research and development.
Cogeneration
Cogeneration allows you to simultaneously produce electricity and heat from one plant. This method makes use of a single energy source, and gives you a higher energy return than each individual process. The most common cogeneration techniques use fuel combustion to produce heat and electricity. This allows almost all of the thermal energy to be recovered and not lost into the environment.
Cost savings associated with cogeneration are significant. Cogeneration could help save utilities in America approximately $10 billion each year if they converted all of their users to it. This would save approximately 1% of total energy consumption in the country. It would also help to reduce carbon emissions by about 150 million tonnes. When cogeneration is combined with renewable energy, it can lower users' total energy bills. This makes cogeneration a more environmentally-sound way to provide base load electricity.