Electric energy, which began to be actively used, by historical standards, not so long ago, has significantly changed the life of all mankind. Currently, different types of power plants produce a huge amount of energy. Of course, for a more accurate representation, specific numerical values could be found. But for a qualitative analysis, this is not so important. It is important to note the fact that electrical energy is used in all spheres of human life and activity. It is even difficult for a modern person to imagine how it was possible to do without electricity some hundred years ago.
The high demand for electrical energy also requires adequate generating capacity. To generate electricity, as people sometimes say in everyday life, thermal, hydraulic, nuclear and other types of power plants are used. As it is not difficult to see, the specific type of generation is determined by the type of energy that is required to generate electric current. At hydroelectric power plants, the energy of a water stream falling from a height is converted into electric current. Likewise, power plantsgas converts the thermal energy of the burning gas into electricity.
Everyone knows that the law of conservation of energy operates in nature. All of these types of power plants inherently convert one type of energy into another. In nuclear reactors, a chain reaction of decay of certain elements occurs with the release of heat. This heat is converted into electricity through certain mechanisms. Thermal power plants operate on exactly the same principle. Only in this case, the source of heat is organic fuel - coal, fuel oil, gas, peat and other substances. The practice of recent decades has shown that this method of generating electricity is very costly and causes significant damage to the environment.
The problem is that the fossil fuel reserves on the planet are limited. They should be used sparingly. The advanced minds of mankind have long understood this and are actively searching for a way out of this situation. One of the possible exit options are alternative power plants that operate on other principles. In particular, sunlight and wind are used to generate energy. The sun will always shine and the wind will never stop blowing. As experts say, these are inexhaustible or renewable sources of energy that need to be rationally used.
Most recently, the list of types of power plants was short. Only three positions - thermal, hydraulic and nuclear. Severalwell-known companies in the world are conducting serious research and development in the field of solar energy. As a result of their activities, solar-to-electricity converters appeared on the market. It should be noted that their efficiency still leaves much to be desired, but this problem will be solved sooner or later. The same is true for the utilization of wind energy. Wind turbines are becoming more and more popular.
