Electricity production is the process of producing electric power from primary energy sources. This stage is necessary before electricity can be distributed to end users. Electricity production can use a variety of energy-producing devices. These include Solar-thermal power, Natural gas, and Biomass. These systems can be used in several ways to generate electricity. These power-producing systems are able to help meet the rising demand for electricity. These systems have many benefits, and they are increasing in popularity in many nations.
Biomass
Biomass is a renewable fuel 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 energy source that produces less carbon dioxide than fossil fuels. Biomass can be considered renewable provided it is grown sustainably. Unfortunately, critics claim that biomass for electricity production is not sustainable. This type of energy production is not possible with biomass from Canada and the USA.
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. Electric generation has always been one of America's most polluting industries. But environmental regulations have forced generators into developing alternative ways to generate electricity. Natural gas is a major component of clean electricity generation.
Natural gas is often called a "clean" fuel because it produces fewer unwanted byproducts per unit of energy compared to coal or petroleum. It also produces significantly lower levels of carbon dioxide than coal. Natural gas is also much more efficient than natural coal. As an example, natural gas-fired electricity plants had 42% efficiency in 2013, while coal-fired power units only 33%. Natural gas combined cycle power plants can also be 60 percent efficient.
Photovoltaic (PV)
Photovoltaic or PV electricity is a new renewable energy resource that is increasingly being used to generate power. Its efficiency is being investigated and its environmental impact is being studied. This study examines the environmental and cost impact of utility-scale PV electricity generation in Georgia. It estimates the impact on various subsidies and incentives at a PV cost of $3.52/kW. The study finds that more than 50 percent of the capital costs of PV electricity production are required to be covered by subsidies and incentives.
PV electricity is competitive with base-load capacity because it has no marginal variable costs. It is however difficult to reduce PV electricity production because of temporary drops in demand. In extreme circumstances, PV electricity production could lead to a negative market value.
Solar-thermal energy
Solar-thermal power systems use optic devices to direct the sun’s rays onto a receiver and generate heat. This energy can also be used for hot water heating, industrial processes, and space heating. It can also be harnessed for electricity production. The sun's heat can be captured by a heat exchanging device and used to drive a Stirling engine.
Although solar thermal power plant are commercially available, it is still very expensive and requires extensive research and development. Costs per kilowatt hour are still around three to four times higher than that of fossil-fuel power plants. As the market develops, cost should fall by 50-60% over the next 10-15 years through further research.
Cogeneration
Cogeneration is the simultaneous production of electricity and heat in a single plant. This method makes use of a single energy source, and gives you a higher energy return than each individual process. Cogeneration is a process that uses fuel combustion to generate electricity and heat. Nearly all thermal energy generated by this method is recovered and not released into the surrounding environment.
Cost savings associated with cogeneration are significant. If every utility user in the United States converted to cogeneration, they could save about $10 billion a year. 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. And when coupled with renewable fuels, cogeneration can reduce users' overall energy bill. This makes cogeneration a more environmentally-sound way to provide base load electricity.