New Energy Sources

A variety of facilities generates electricity, including fossil fuel-burning power plants, hydroelectric dams, nuclear power plants, and a variety of renewable energy sources that include solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass. The location of these electricity generators – and their distance from end users – varies widely.

In 2015, the United States generated about 4 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity. About 67% of the electricity generated was from fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum). 99 nuclear power plants provided about 20% of the power mix. Hydropower and renewables account for 6% and 7% of the mix, respectively.

Coal, gas, oil, and nuclear power plants all produce electricity by driving steam turbine through thermal power generation. While electricity generation can be varied on advanced gas turbines, coal and nuclear power plants can only be turned on to full power output.

Hydropower uses the potential energy in a water reservoir to spin turbines that then produce electricity for the grid. Similarly, wind turbines take the currents of the wind to create electricity. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight into electricity.

Power is delivered to your home via the distribution network of high-power transmission lines. At the “last mile” a sub-station in your neighborhood steps-down the electricity to a voltage that you can use in your home. These networks start at the transformers and end with homes, schools, and businesses. Distribution is regulated on the state level by PUCs and PSCs, who set the retail rates for electricity in each state.

Power generation from renewable sources, particularly solar cells and wind turbines are already becoming major sources of power. They are expected to meet future energy demand but also displace existing generation from fossil fuels and nuclear power.