1-nuclear energy
Nuclear energy is stored in the nuclei of atoms in the form of
mass. When heavy nuclei break into smaller pieces(fission) or
light nuclei combine into heavier ones(fusion), you end up with
less mass than there was at the beginning. The difference shows
up as energy. In the case of fission we know how to control the
reaction so as to capture the energy to boil water, making steam
to drive turbine generators. In the case of fusion all we know
how to do is release the energy all at once in a nuclear
detonation. Not a convenient way to generate usable
electricity.
2-light energy
Light, which is a form of electromagnetic radiation, arrives at a
surface in the the form of photons, each of which has an amount
of energy proportional to the frequency of the radiation. If the
surface on which the light falls is a material called
photo-voltaic, the energy of the photons is converted to electric
energy which may be used to run small appliances.
3-geothermal energy
When the Earth was formed it was very hot. As the surface cooled
and solidified it became a thermal insulator which prevented the
release of the energy from the material nearer the core. Also
natural radioactivity contributes to maintaining the temperature
of the Earth's core. By drilling into rock near this molten
material some of that heat may be used to generate steam to drive
turbine generators.
4-tidal energy
One effect of the gravitational attraction between the Moon and
the Earth and between the Sun and the Earth is a squeezing of the
Earth on the sides 90 degrees from the line to the Moon or the
Sun. This squeezing depresses the surface of the Earth's
oceans in the regions 90 degrees away from the line to the Moon,
for example, and produces bulges in the Earth's oceans on the
sides facing toward and away from the Moon. As the earth rotates
under these bulges and depressed areas, the water level rises and
falls. In certain parts of the world where this effect is most
prounounced, the rising and falling water may be used to turn a
water wheel, driving an electric generator.
5-wind energy
In places where there is a strong steady wind, windmills are a
possible means of generating electricity. The blades of the
windmill rotate and drive an electric generator. Because there
are not many places where the wind is strong and steady enough
windmills spend a lot of time not generating power making wind
energy is still too expensive to compete with other forms.
6-solar energy
There is a lot of radiation coming from the Sun. This radiation
carries energy (See light energy above.). Relatively small
amounts of this energy may be captured with photo-voltaic cells
and directly converted to electricity. Larger amounts may be
captured by an array of mirrors, focusing the energy on a boiler
to generate steam to drive a turbine generator.
7-wave energy
The wind passing over large bodies of water cause waves on the
water surface. The energy of this rising and falling water may be
captured to generate electricity. One scheme for doing this is to
use the moving water to force air through a windmill to drive an
electric generator.
This information is brought to you by M. Casco Associates, a company dedicated to helping humankind reach the stars through understanding how the universe works. My name is James D. Jones. If I can be of more help, please let me know. JDJ