1. INTRODUCTION

1.2. Generation of electrical energy

The conversion of energy available in different forms in nature into electrical energy is known as
generation of electrical energy.
Electrical energy is a manufactured commodity like clothing, furniture or tools. Just as the
manufacture of a commodity involves the conversion of raw materials available in nature into the
desired form, similarly electrical energy is produced from the forms of energy available in nature.
However, electrical energy differs in one important respect. Whereas other commodities may be
produced at will and consumed as needed, the electrical energy must be produced and transmitted to
the point of use at the instant it is needed. The entire process takes only a fraction of a second. This
instantaneous production of electrical energy introduces technical and economical considerations
unique to the electrical power industry.
Energy is available in various forms from different
natural sources such as pressure head of water, chemical
energy of fuels, nuclear energy of radioactive substances
etc. All these forms of energy can be converted into
electrical energy by the use of suitable arrangements. The
arrangement essentially employs  an
alternator coupled to a prime mover. The prime mover
is driven by the energy obtaimed from various sources