Power Production – The Unpleasant Truth.

Are you aware that most of the planet’s electricity originates from the burning of coal? And that it is more than likely one of the leading origins of greenhouse gases which are suspected to be responsible for global warming.

It’s difficult to imagine that each and every time you switch on a television that you are actually partially responsible for the release of contaminants into the atmosphere, but the truth is that is just what is taking place.

Estimates vary, but it’s known that in the USA approximately fifty percent of the electricity generated is from coal burning. In China, the planet’s most populous state, coal accocunts for over three quarters of the nation’s power consumption.

Coal is burnt to produce high temperatures, and then that high temperature is used to convert water into steam. That vapor is pressurised and then pushed through turbines, causing the turbines spin. It is this rotating of the turbines that produces the electrical power.

Though there are other sources of heat used to create steam (e.g. nuclear fission, geothermal, and natural gas amongst others) coal is the most popular fuel employed.

The burning of coal emits numerous greenhouse gases and also some other harmful gases and solids into the air. Among the pollutants produced are:
– CO2 – the biggest contributor to global warming,
– SO2 (Sulphur Dioxide) – which causes acid rain when mixed with water,
– Nitrogen Oxide – a significant contributor to air pollution
– CO(Carbon Monoxide) – a toxin which can be fatal
– hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds
– poisonous metals like mercury and arsenic
– heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and even uranium

Power companies, just like every other business, react to demand from customers. When there is requirement for power then somebody stands to make big money from delivering it!  And since burning coal is the most convenient and cheap techniques to produce the electricity, then it will continue to be used.

So, in a very genuine sense, every time you turn on your microwave oven or lightswitch, somewhere there will be some coal being burnt to produce that power.

There are several alternate sources of electricity that are beginning to become more common. Wind power, solar power, and even wave power are being gathered and transformed into electricity. In the innovative technological era we live in almost any type of energy can be converted into electrical power.

And with advancements in know-how it also means that capturing this energy for your personal use is turning out to be much more achievable. Actually a lot of people are wanting to get off-grid, generate  their very own electrical power and as a result lower the demand for electricity produced via the burning of coal.

Wind energy is one of the most easily captured alternative energy sources. Simple wind turbines can be built for about $200.

Make sure you see this really great article about home wind turbines.