Electric energy, which was actively used, by historical standards, not so long ago, 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 areas of human life and activity. It’s even hard for a modern person to imagine how one could manage without electricity some hundred years ago.
The high demand for electric energy also requires appropriate generating capacities. To generate electricity, as people sometimes use it in everyday life, thermal, hydraulic, nuclear and other types of power plants are used. It is not difficult to notice that a specific type of generation is determined by the type of energy that is required to generate an electric current. At hydroelectric power plants, the energy of a water stream falling from a height is converted into electric current. In the same way, gas-fired power plants convert the heat energy of a burning gas into electricity.
Everyone knows that in nature the law of conservation of energy applies. All of these types of power plants in essence turn one type of energy into another. In nuclear reactors, a chain reaction of the decay of certain elements occurs with the release of heat. This heat is converted into electricity through certain mechanisms. Exactly the same principle applies to thermal power plants. Only in this case, the heat source is fossil fuels - 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 world's fossil fuel reserves are limited. They should be spent sparingly. The progressive minds of mankind have long understood this and are actively seeking 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 blow. As experts say, these are inexhaustible or renewable energy sources that need to be rationally used.
More recently, the list, which includes the types of power plants, was short. Only three positions - thermal, hydraulic and nuclear. Currently, several world famous companies are conducting serious research and development in the field of solar energy. As a result of their activities, converters of sunlight into electricity 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 situation is similar with the utilization of wind energy. Wind generators are becoming more common.
