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Green Power: Energy Sources

Zero emission green power is generated from renewable energy
sources without creating air pollution.
Sun
Solar radiation that reaches Earth's surface can generate
electricity in several ways. Photovoltaic systems use
semiconductors to convert light to electricity. Solar
concentrators heat water to create steam, which turns
turbines to generate electricity.
Wind
The kinetic energy of wind can be harnessed to generate
electricity using wind turbines of many different sizes and
applications.
Water Flowing water can be directed through hydropower
turbines to generate electricity.
Earth In a typical geothermal facility, heat from within the Earth
heats water to create steam, which turns turbines to
generate electricity.
Tide Tidal power facilities operate by focusing the tides' daily
cycles of movement into an electricity generator.
Waves In a wave power facility, a water column moves up and
down to turn a turbine to generate electricity.
Ocean The thermal energy of the ocean can be harnessed to
generate electricity. Closed-cycle systems use the ocean's
warm surface water to vaporize a working fluid, which then
expands and turns a turbine. Open-cycle systems boil
seawater to produce steam for use in a turbine.
Other green power is generated from renewable energy sources
while producing some air pollution.
Biomass
Landfill
Gas
In a typical biomass facility, waste wood is burned to

heat water to create steam, which turns turbines to
generate electricity. Biomass facilities emit air
pollution, but use a renewable fuel source.
Landfills produce potent greenhouse gases like
methane, which can be captured and used to generate
electricity. In a typical landfill gas facility, the
combustion of these gases is used to create steam,
which turns turbines to generate electricity. Landfill

gas facilities emit air pollution, including nitrogen
oxides, but use a waste gas fuel source that would
otherwise contribute to global climate change.
Municipal In a typical municipal waste incinerator facility, waste
Waste
from many sources (including construction,
residential and business trash) is burned, creating
steam to turn generating turbines. All waste-to-energy
incinerators carry air permits regulating the amounts
of air pollution they emit, and all reduce the volume of
material entering landfills.
Alternatives to green power deplete nonrenewable energy sources.
Uranium Uranium is the primary fuel source for nuclear power.
In a typical nuclear power plant, fissionable atoms are
split in a controlled reaction to heat water to create
steam, which turns turbines to generate electricity.
Undesirable impacts of nuclear power generation
include radioactive waste storage and protection,
decommissioning costs, risks of catastrophic accidents,
uranium-mining costs, and dependence on foreign
sources of uranium.
Coal
In a typical coal-fired power plant, coal is burned to
create steam, which turns turbines to generate
electricity. In a cogeneration facility, the heat produced
by burning coal may be used for other purposes in
addition to electricity generation. Undesirable impacts
of coal-fired power plants include air pollution and
coal-mining costs and associated environmental
damage.
Natural Natural gas is a fossil fuel composed primarily of
Gas
methane, a potent greenhouse gas. In a typical gas-fired
power plant, gas is burned to heat water to create
steam, which turns turbines to generate electricity.
When gas is used in a cogeneration facility, the heat
produced is used for other purposes in addition to
electricity generation. Undesirable impacts of gas-fired
power plants include air pollution and gas-drilling
costs.
Oil
Oil (also called petroleum) is a fossil fuel composed of
various liquid hydrocarbons. In a typical oil-fired power
plant, oil is burned to create steam, which turns
turbines to generate electricity. Oil may also be used in
a cogeneration facility, where the heat produced by
burning oil is used for other purposes in addition to
Tires
electricity generation. Undesirable impacts of oil-fired

power plants include air pollution, oil-drilling costs, and
dependence on foreign sources of oil.
In a typical tire-fired power plant, tires are chipped and
burned to create steam, which turns turbines to
generate electricity. Tires may also be burned in a
cogeneration facility where the heat produced is used
for other purposes in addition to electricity generation.
Undesirable impacts of tire-fired power plants include
air pollution.
Next: Technology
For more information visit:
International Atomic Energy Agency
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Home >> What Is It?

Green Power: Energy Sources

In a typical biomass facility, waste wood is burned to

which turns turbines to generate electricity. Landfill

electricity generation. Undesirable impacts of oil-fired

International Atomic Energy Agency

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