Introduction
Power failure is the most common enemy of a typical Indian. That’s when we think of the source of all this current that we use. There comes our star of the day, Electrical generators.
Tech giant GOOGLE uses Current. A common man uses current. It is a huge part of our everyday life. Importance of an electrical Generator. Solar Farms consist of an Electrical generator.
We’ll describe all that you need to know. All about an Electrical Generator and its various types.
What is an Electrical Generator?
An electrical generator generates Current. We know the Law of conservation of energy. We cannot create or destroy energy. So what does a Generator do? It transforms energy from one form to another form.
Electrical Generators transform energy in other forms into Electrical Energy. It might be Solar, Chemical, Potential Energy, etc.
Working of Electrical Generators
Electrical Generators work on Electromagnetic induction. Mechanical energy is supplied to the generators. They supply it through steam turbines, gas turbines, and combustion engines. This creates an EMF. This contributes to the Electric energy in the generator.
Generator contains a rotating and a stationary part. The rotating part creates a change in a magnetic field. This induces an electric current in the wire winding. It resides in the stationery part.
Different Types of Electrical Generators
Fossil Fuel Electrical Generators:
Fossil Fuel Electrical Generators use Fossil-Fuels such as Coal. They produce heat to power up the generators. It produces power. Combustion of fossil fuels produces waste products. Ash, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide are some examples. Fossil fuels contribute to 37% of the world’s power generation.
Nuclear Electrical Generators:
Nuclear Electrical Generators use the Fission process. We perform the process in the Nuclear reactor core to produce heat. This heat is then used to create steam. This will power up the turbines of the generator. Nuclear electrical generators contribute less than fossil fuels. 10% of the total power generation of the world.
Natural Gas Electric Generators:
Natural gas generators burn natural gas which powers up the turbines of the generator. Just like fossil fuel generators, these produce huge amounts of CO2 which contributes to greenhouse emissions. Natural Gas Generators contribute to the world’s power generation. This is 24 % of the power generation in the world.
Hydroelectric Generators:
They operate in dams, which stand over mountains. Gravitational forces power up the turbines of the generator with the help of water held at dams. Hydro-electric generators contribute less than natural gas generators. This is 16% of the power generation all over the world.
Solar Energy Generators:
We use the Photo-electric effect in solar generators. This produces power from the solar light of the sun. We use solar photo-voltaic cells. It produces DC power from solar energy. This is then converted using an inverter. It converts DC into AC current. Solar Energy Generators add up to only a small amount of Power Generation. That is 3% of the power generation in the world.
Wind Electricity Generators:
Wind turbines have 3 bladed, upwind fan-like designs. They are used to producing power from the strong and steady wind. Wind generators need Wind must be available at all times. Then only wind generators will work. Wind generators contribute to a small amount of power generation in the world. That is 5% of worldwide power generation.
Environmental Impacts of Electrical Generators
Most of these Generators transform energy in nature. One or the other form of energy into Electrical Energy. Using some of the resources that are available in excess. These materials include Fossil fuels, Natural Gases, etc.
The process of being converted to electrical energy. This produces toxic gases and other wastes which affect nature. This causes Pollution in the air and water. The emitted gases include carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxides. The wastewater from these generators might contain lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, nitrates, etc. These substrates add up to polluted water.
These emissions can affect the environment in multiple ways. Acid rain, Ozone layer depletion, Global warming, and polluted water are some examples.
Recommended Articles:
Types of Levers – Basic Definitions and Examples
Differences Types of Motors
What are the Types of Radiation?
Types of Rocks – Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic
Types of Switches – Definition, Mechanical and Momentary Control
The electrical generators emit toxic gases and wastewater. Which contain toxic materials and substrates which pollute both air and water. This poses a great threat to both human and animal lives. We can broadly classify Electrical Generators into two. Thermal and Renewable energy Generators. Based on the source of power it can be further classified into 6. Fossil Fuel, Nuclear, Natural Gas, Hydroelectric, Solar, and Wind generators. Nuclear meltdowns happen due to many circumstances. When this happens Potential radioactive materials breach the containment. They escape into the environment. Radioactive contamination and poisoning of people and animals. Solar is a renewable, clean source of electricity. Once installed it might reduce Electric costs. It provides uninterrupted electricity from nature itself. It reduces the need for fuel supply. One-time investment and Lifelong advantage. Types of Generators FAQs
How do electrical generators affect the environment in a bad way?
What are the different types of Electrical generators?
What happens if a nuclear power generator explodes?
Why are solar Electric generators widely accepted?
