In the era of renewable -and non-renewable- energy, we hear the word energy an almost exaggerated number of times. It is known that all the different types of energy are a fundamental resource for each and every one of the human beings on Earth, from the coffee we drink at home to the car that takes us to work are involved in the process of Energy.
If we also stop for a moment to think, we will discover that human beings are also energy and that we are in a constant process of change and movement that is nothing more than spending and recovering it to continue with our lives.
In this article we will explain what energy is, the types of energy that exist and the different processes that are carried out to convert energy. In addition, we will take the opportunity to reflect on the differences between alternative energies and non-renewable energies.
First of all, we must start from a very simple premise: the concept. We cannot debate about something that we do not even know for sure, therefore, we have decided to consult several sources to reach a conclusion, in this case, we have decided to consult the Royal Spanish Academy, Wikipedia and the Oxford dictionary.
Let’s see then what you need to know about the concept of energy:
- For the RAE, energy is the following: “Efficacy, power, virtue to act.” For the Oxford dictionary, it is: “Capacity of matter to produce work in the form of movement, light, heat, etc.”.
That is, if we mix these first two definitions, we are saying that energy is a concept that is closely linked to movement and work . This confirms that we human beings are also energies.
- Wikipedia tells us the following: “The term energy has various meanings and definitions, related to the idea of a capacity to act, arise, transform or set in motion. In physics, energy is defined as the ability to do work. In technology and economics, “energy” refers to a natural resource (including its associated technology) to be able to extract it, transform it and give it an industrial or economic use.
There is no doubt that energy can be extracted in various ways, we also being an important source of energy for the world: it is actually us who have created all the energies and who have developed all these concepts about it.
So you should know that in this article we will make two distinctions of energy, that is, we will categorize it in two ways:
According to its reusability:
Renewable energy: they are those that you can use more than once, since, when used, they can be reformed by a natural or artificial process.
Non-renewable energy: they are present on Earth in a limited way and although they are energies that can be renewed, their regeneration capacity is exceeded thanks to excessive consumption.
Depending on where it comes from:
- Thermal: it comes from two bodies with unequal temperatures.
- Mechanics: comes from the following sum Mechanical Energy = Kinetic Energy + Potential Energy.
- Potential: it is a type of energy that is determined according to where an object is.
- Kinetics: comes from any body that is in motion.
- Hydraulic: it is the energy that is concentrated in the water at a certain height.
- Tidal: comes from the movement of sea water, that is, the use of tides.
- Wind: is one that comes from the use of wind.
- Luminous: it takes advantage of the journey that a ray of light makes from one point to another.
- Chemistry: there are two types, exothermic, which give off heat -energy- and endothermic, which absorb -energy- heat.
- Electric: comes from moving electrons.
- Nuclear: comes from the change in the nucleus of a certain atom.
- Magnetic: it is the type of energy that magnets have.
- Sound: comes from vibrations, the way in which sound propagates (sound waves).
- Metabolic: it is everything that living beings do, all that complex apparatus that we call the body.
- Ionic: This energy comes from the separation of an electron from an atom.
As you can see, there are multiple ways in which energy is obtained, for this reason, a large series of projects are currently being developed to begin working with more renewable alternative energies.
One of the most plausible examples is the large number of wind vanes that have been placed in many countries to obtain wind energy, one of the most efficient ways of obtaining energy -and more renewable- and that, although it is not yet believed capable of supplying enough to meet the needs of the current population, the path is being set.
And of course, speaking of energy… In the next section we will explain step by step how electricity can be generated and, in the Spanish case, what are the different systems used to generate it until we can reach the wiring of your building and then to your house.
How is the electricity I use in my home generated? Step by Step
Many times we wonder if the energy we receive in our house really comes from a combustion process or from renewable energy. We probably won’t be able to answer that question for you with certainty, but we can enlighten you a bit on the matter.
Join us to see how this process is carried out!:
Before beginning, it is important to tell you that we are getting this information from the websites of electricity companies in Spain.
- The first thing that must happen is that energy is generated, this process can be carried out in many places, as we have explained previously, energy can come from many sources, in Spain there are the following types of plants:
- Conventional thermoelectric plants: these are conventional plants that burn gas, diesel or coal. This process generates steam that moves a turbine, which is what transforms mechanical energy into electricity.
- Combined cycle thermoelectric plants: in addition to the entire process that is carried out in the conventional ones, there is also another turbine that works with air taken from the atmosphere, making this type of plant more efficient since it does not require burning at full throttle at all times.
- Nuclear: uranium is used as fuel, which carries out a nuclear fission process and after this process that releases heat, the water becomes steam that, as in the previous cases, passes through a turbine that makes electricity .
- Geothermal: works exactly the same as the first three, but… where do you get the heat from? From the center of the Earth.
- Biomass: basically, in this case the vegetation is burned to generate energy in the form of heat and from there it is used.
- Hydroelectric: according to Endesa, it is “the evolution of the old mill”. A great waterfall is used to make a turbine move, from here the reservoirs and dams are born.
- Wind: it is the wind that directly moves the turbine from which the electricity will be used. Problem: it is not storable, it must be used at the moment.
- Solar: there are two types, solar thermal uses the sun to make the process of taking advantage of the water vapor and then there are the photovoltaic ones that mainly take advantage of the photovoltaic cells that later convert it directly into electricity.
- Tidal: they take advantage of the movement of the sea to generate electricity, that is, from the tides, this is achieved by driving a turbine.
- Wave: waves are used instead of tides.
- As you can see, electricity can originate in any of these ways before going to your house.
- Once the electricity is sent, a treatment phase begins and its transmission begins. This is done in the substations that are located in areas closer to the cities because it is here that the voltage that will be sent to the house is regulated. For this reason, this step is essential – imagine that they sent more tension than normal.
- And it is here, once regulated, that electricity begins to be distributed to each of the buildings in the area. You cannot choose where the electricity is distributed from, the energy first passes through the meter, which is where consumption is measured and the bill can then be issued for collection.
- Clearly, then there is the process of trading it, which is what we choose when we go to contract electricity, as well as when we choose a certain voltage.
It must be made clear that it is a fairly quick process, although it has a large number of steps and that it covers a more than amazing distance from where it is obtained to the end: the light in your house for your television, computer, mobile phone, kitchen, etc. etc.
We are the renewable energy of the future: Tips
There is no doubt that, to a large extent, we have been the ones who have generated a large amount of electrical needs that have made us literally eat up the resources available on Earth. This, of course, brought pollution and more damage to our planet, which is why now they are trying to bet as much as possible on renewable energies.
Meanwhile, we can collaborate with very simple actions to save electricity:
- Make the most of sunlight, that is, do not turn on light bulbs when it is not necessary. Something very useful in summer that takes time to get dark.
- Shower in summer -treat- with cold water to reduce consumption of gas or electricity -as well as water-.
- Avoid using the car on short journeys, that is, less than 1 km.
- Do not turn on devices at the same time: that is, if you are on the computer, use it, if you are on play, use it. But don’t leave the devices on just because.
- Avoid opening the refrigerator for too long. Also, try to always keep it clean and tidy so you don’t have to force yourself too much.
- The microwave: do not leave its door open as it generates excessive consumption. Close the door when you finish using it.
As you can see, we believe that we human beings are the engine, the energy that our planet needs to rise up, yes, without economic interests, but love for our planet and solidarity among all is what will lead us on the right path both to energy level as well as a general level.
In short, we hope that this article has been of great interest and helps to inform you about a subject that has an impressive validity and that will be a topic to be debated for centuries and centuries… Let’s recharge your batteries! And may you never lack energy in any of the areas.