ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the most common energy generation—that produced by conventional energy sources, the fossil fuels (coal, crude oil, and natural gas). In practice, with energy generation processes we are concerned with the energy properties of all physical energy types: radiative energy, electric energy, thermal energy, chemical energy, nuclear energy, mechanical energy, and sound energy. These types of energy play a part in energy conversion processes. Different types of energy conversion take place in many steps of the energy generation process. For example, the chemical energy in the fossils is converted into heat energy during the burning process, then into mechanical energy by turning the turbine blades, and finally into electric energy in the generator. While energy generation is an absolute necessity for economic development and a comfortable life, we pay for it not only with money, but with our health and welfare.
