Production of electricity

Most of the electricity produced in the world to produce thermal power plant (TPP), and we just arrived at one of them. Note the huge reservoirs of cylindrical shape. These impressive "vessels", the amount of which can reach 14 000 m ³, stored oil - heavy oil, which serves one of the fuels in the energy industry.

Of oil today produce about 7% of the world's electricity. This is a significant percentage, considering the high cost of fuel oil. It should be used in areas where natural gas and coal to deliver more complex. In our country, oil-fired power plants operate primarily located in the North and the Far East. In addition, oil is often used as a backup fuel for thermal power plants that use natural gas as the primary fuel. In Russia, the share of such power is 35%.

The principle of operation is based on the transformation of CHP thermal energy into mechanical energy, and then - into electricity. In the furnace of the boiler unit of fuel to power the prime mover, which, in turn, will lead generator. Thus, in the most popular in the world of steam-turbine thermal power plants burning fuel, are high pressure steam. He drives a steam turbine rotor, connected to the rotor of an electric generator.

I must say that the oil - not the only petroleum product which is used to produce electricity. For power generation can be used petrol or diesel internal combustion engines. Their low power and low efficiency compensated compact size stations and low costs for installation and maintenance. Moreover, these plants are mobile - and if you want to provide energy or geological expedition to assist in disaster, they get salvation.

As for oil, its use as a fuel for power plants phased out. This is largely due to the modernization of refineries, where they plan to increase the production of light products, leading to lower output heavy. In the future, oil will be increasingly used as a valuable raw material for the chemical industry. A power industry bet on alternative energy sources.

Perhaps the most actively promoting the use of wind power now. As long as they give less than 1% of the energy consumed in the world, but the situation is changing rapidly. Thus, in Spain the proportion of "wind power" has already reached 40%, and the British government is planning in 2020 to transfer to it all the households in the country. Relatively low cost, availability, and environmental cleanliness - definite plus in this direction. But there are drawbacks: the strong noise, uneven energy yield, the need for large areas to the huge modern mills blades do not interfere with each other. And, of course, need constant wind, which means that the technology is not suitable for all areas.

However, the same can be said about geliostantsii. Solar panels are becoming part of everyday life in the South is where the year a lot of clear days. Now it is not only a source of power for the spacecraft, but also light and heat for the residents of homes, roofs are installed PV panels. In Moscow, you can see the solar panels on the roof of a high-rise building of the Academy of Sciences. Sure, this technology has a great future, because the star called the sun provides the Earth about 100,000 more energy than necessary to our civilization today.

Geothermal power plants use the heat energy released by the earth's crust in the volcanic areas - for example, in Iceland, Kamchatka, New Zealand. Such facilities are expensive, but their operation is very economical. Iceland is already using this energy source to heat 90% of homes.
In coastal areas, you can build a tidal power plants using water level fluctuations. Bay or estuary special block the dam keeps the water at low tide. When the water is released, it rotates the turbine. Even more surprising method of energy extraction - using the difference in temperature of ocean water. The warm water heats the liquid evaporates easily (ammonia), a pair of drive the turbine and then condensed them with cold water. This power works, especially in Hawaii.

According to optimistic forecasts for the second half of this century, the share of renewable and alternative energy sources in the world energy can reach 50%.

To learn more about petroleum and new methods of energy production, it is possible to go to the gas station.

Interesting Facts

In these days, when the lion's share of electricity generated by renewable resources, including those of the precious oil, our duty - to observe basic rules of economics. They are no more difficult traditional "Leaving, put out the light." A few facts for those who want to right now to become more conscious and thrifty inhabitants of the land:

Energy saving light bulb consumes two thirds of the amount of energy required for conventional bulbs, and is 70% longer.

Efficiency heaters and air conditioners decreases by 20% due to the banal cracks in window frames.

If the battery charger for mobile phone permanently connected to the network, 95% of the energy is wasted.

Incorrectly selected wash program leads to 30% of energy wastage.

Modern appliances are labeled according to the class of energy efficiency. Most economical - devices "A" class.