Random Facts
Electricity facts
What is the amount of electricity generated from various sources?
In 2002, the following amount of electricity, in gigawatt-hours, was generated from the following sources of fuel:- Coal: 1,925,792 GWh
- Nuclear: 779,461 GWh
- Gas: 695,226 GWh
- Hydro: 255,077 GWh
- Fuel oil: 91,629 GWh
- Biomass: 71,534 GWh
- Other (geothermal, non-wood waste, wind and solar): 22,737 GWh
Reference: http://www.powerhousetv.com/
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First central power plant
The first central power plant Pearl Street Station in lower Manhattan, built by Thomas Edison began generating electricity on September 4, 1882. Pearl Street had one generator and it produced power for 800 electric light bulbs. Within 14 months, Pearl Street Station had 508 subscribers and 12,732 bulbs. Reference: http://www.powerhousetv.com/
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Facts about the electric utility industry
Since the first power plant (thomas edison's power plant) lit up 800 light bulbs in 1882, the electric utility industry has grown to generate over 2.5 million gigawatt-hours annually, the equivalent of lighting 4.8 billion 60-watt light bulbs for a year Reference: http://www.powerhousetv.com/
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Most consumed energy resource in the U.S
Currently, OIL provides the largest share of U.S. energy consumption -- about 41 percent of the entire market. Natural gas provides about 24 percent, coal 23 percent, hydropower 4 percent and nuclear power 8 percent.In the United States, natural gas is used for:
- Industrial processes = 46%
- Residential use = 22%
- Generating electricity = 15%
- Commercial buildings = 15%
Reference: http://www.powerhousetv.com/
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Potential renewable energy resources
Energy crops, like switchgrass or fast-growing trees, could provide more than 5,000 megawatts of electricity annually by the year 2010, supporting more than 170,000 jobs and diversifying local farming operations. Reference: http://www.powerhousetv.com/
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Projected U.S. wind energy usage
The U.S. Department of Energy expects wind power to supply at least five percent of the nation's electricity by 2020. Reference: http://www.powerhousetv.com/
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Why use silicon to make photovoltaic cells?
Silicon from one ton of sand, used in photovoltaic cells, could produce as much electricity as burning 500,000 tons of coal. Reference: http://www.powerhousetv.com/
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Geothermal energy in the u.s.
Geothermal energy currently provides more than 2,700 megawatts of electricity nationwide - the equivalent of three nuclear power plants, or enough to power more than 3.5 million homes. A geothermal power plant emits no nitrogen oxides, very few sulfur dioxides and 1,000 to 2,000 times less carbon dioxide than a fossil fuel plant. Reference: http://www.powerhousetv.com/
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There is a virus battery!
By manipulating a few genes of a virus, researchers at MIT have been able to get this virus to grow and assemble itself in such a way that it functions as a battery! Reference: http://www.powerhousetv.com/
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A way to turn crap into current
Thai researchers have succeeded in generating electricity from natural gas made from elephant dung. Reference: Universal Press Syndicate
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What is the world flagpole-sitting record you ask?
In 1992, Frank Perkins of Los Angeles made an attempt on the world flagpole-sitting record. Suffering from the flu he came down eight hours short of the 400 day record, his sponsor had gone bust, his girlfriend had left him and his phone and electricity had been cut off. Reference: Bizzare News
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What is the world flagpole-sitting record you ask?
In 1992, Frank Perkins of Los Angeles made an attempt on the world flagpole-sitting record. Suffering from the flu he came down eight hours short of the 400 day record, his sponsor had gone bust, his girlfriend had left him and his phone and electricity had been cut off. Reference: Bizzare News
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The efficiency of converting sunlight to electricity in pv cells
The company SunPower in 2008 announced 22% efficiency converting light to electricity. Current high-performance panels, on average, convert about 20 percent of the light that strikes it into electricity. Conventional silicon solar panels convert about 14 to 17 percent of light.The theoretical maximum is around 26 to 27 percent, although some have said it could go slightly higher.
Reference: http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-6114383-7.html
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The thirties were tough times ... building dams helped
The nineteen thirties were a challenging decade with the Great Depression and the stock market crash.President Franklin D. Roosevelt created a plan called The New Deal a set of initiatives to build infrastructure including dams for the exploding demand for electricity while providing people with jobs.
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Who performed the first systematic, scientific study of lightning?
During the second half of the 18th century, Ben Franklin was the one who began the scientific study of lightning. He designed an experiment which conclusively proved the electrical nature of lightning. The experiment revealed that clouds are electrically charged so began his journey into lightning. Learn more here. Reference:
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How Does Lemon Juice Conduct Electricity
Lemon juice conducts electricity because lemon juice is acidic, and because acids break apart into positive and negatively charged ions when mixed with distilled water.The charge is very small, and not enough to power a flashlight, but these particles do conduct a small amount of electricity through the liquid.
Reference: How Does Lemon Juice Conduct Electricity
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