Power Generation
So many types, but so many similarities!
Wind power
Uses a totally renewable resource (the wind), but doesn't offer enough energy to meet everyone's demands. Energy storage a problem as well. Does not use the steam cycle, but still uses a turbine, coil and magnets.
Coal power
Non-renewable, dirty (lots of CO2 released) resource used to drive steam turbines. Although coal is abundant, it produces way too many greenhouse gasses and pollution to be a long term energy solution.
Nuclear power
Transforms immense amounts of energy into heat to produce steam that runs very large turbines. Drawbacks include meltdowns, thermal pollution and where to store the spent fuel rods.
Hydroelectric power
Renewable resource which also uses turbines but does disturb natural environments and does not supply enough energy to meet energy demands.
Gas power
Most popular type of power these days. Many older power plants (oil and coal) are being retrofitted as gas power plants due to the abundance of natural gas they are finding due to fracking. Does create greenhouse gasses and also uses the steam cycle and turbines.
Solar power
Uses photovoltaic cells rather than the steam cycle. The most plentiful of all of the resources used to transform energy, but also the most inefficient. Only about 10% of energy is transformed from light to electrical.