ABSTRACT
When omas Edison made pioneering advancements in electric power in the late 1800s, electricity was still a luxury good. Since then, it has become an integral part of industry, communication, transportation, food, and recreation. e evolution of national electric grids has provided the infrastructural backbone for national economies by connecting places where power is cheap to produce to places where power is needed. Continued
2.1 Introduction ...............................................................................................9 2.2 Coal ...........................................................................................................14 2.3 Oil ..............................................................................................................19 2.4 Natural Gas ..............................................................................................22 2.5 Nuclear Power..........................................................................................27 2.6 Biomass .....................................................................................................31 2.7 Wind .........................................................................................................35 2.8 Solar ..........................................................................................................38 2.9 Geothermal Energy ................................................................................41 2.10 Hydroelectric Energy ............................................................................ 44 2.11 Hydrokinetic Energy ..............................................................................47 2.12 Conclusion ...............................................................................................51 References ......................................................................................................... 54
innovation in the twenty-rst century grid is essential for providing countries with new opportunities for growth and improved productivity. However, the dawn of this century has posed a number of grid-related challenges. In 2009, 80% of the world’s population had access to electricity, the highest level ever (International Energy Agency [IEA] 2011). In addition, economic development in industry and commerce continues to provide and create more energy-intensive products and services, increasing electricity consumption per person. As a result, demand for electricity increased steadily in the past decade and will continue to increase. Finding a dependable supply to keep up with increasing demand is one of the most daunting energy challenges every country faces.
