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Primary sources
Energy sources that can be used directly as they appear in the natural environment, such as coal, oil, natural gas, wood, nuclear fuels, the Sun, wind, tides, mountain lakes, rivers, and geothermal energy.
Secondary energy
Forms of energy that are transformed from primary energy sources through energy conversion processes, such as electricity and hydrogen.
Renewable energy sources
Sources of energy that are considered environmentally friendly and harness natural processes, such as tides, waves, solar power, water power, wind power, biomass power, and geothermal power.
Non-renewable energy sources
Sources of energy that are not considered environmentally friendly and are limited in supply, such as coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear fuel.
Fossil fuels
Oil, coal, and natural gas that are produced by the decomposition of buried animal and plant matter over millions of years. They have advantages such as being relatively cheap and having a high power output, but they also have disadvantages such as running out, polluting the environment, and contributing to the enhanced greenhouse effect.
Efficiency
The ratio of useful power to input power. In the context of producing electricity, it refers to how effectively energy is converted into electricity.
Nuclear energy
Energy derived from nuclear sources, which have advantages such as high power output and large reserves of nuclear fuel, but also have disadvantages such as radioactive waste disposal, public health hazards, and potential for nuclear weapons production.
Hydroelectric power plants
Power plants that use the mechanical energy of water to produce electrical energy. They have advantages such as being "free," inexhaustible, and clean, but also have disadvantages such as being location-dependent and requiring drastic changes to the environment.
Solar power
Power generated from the sun, which has advantages such as being free, inexhaustible, and clean, but also has disadvantages such as working only during the day, being affected by cloudy weather, having low power output, and requiring large areas.
Wind power
Power generated from the wind, with advantages such as being "free," inexhaustible, and clean, but also having disadvantages such as being dependent on local wind conditions, noise problems, and aesthetic concerns.
Tidal energy
Energy generated from the controlled flow of water during flood and ebb tides.
Waves power
Energy generated from the power of ocean waves.
Biomass
Energy derived from burning coal, oil, natural gas, or biomass materials (such as trash or food waste) to create heat, boil water, and produce steam, which then turns turbines to generate electricity.
Biogas
Gas produced by the anaerobic digestion of organic matter, such as livestock waste or food waste.
Digester
A device used to facilitate the anaerobic digestion process, converting organic matter into biogas.
Generator
A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Transformer
A device used to increase or decrease the voltage of electrical energy for distribution.
Transmission lines
Lines used to carry electricity from power plants to consumers.
Cooling tower
A structure used to cool down water or steam in power plants.
Condenser
A device used to condense steam back into water in power plants.
Boiler
A device used to generate steam by burning fuel, such as coal or biomass.
Turbine
A device that converts the energy of a moving fluid (such as steam, water, or wind) into mechanical energy.
River
A natural watercourse, often used as a source of water for power plants.
