| The history of electricity is an interesting one. It | | | | electricity is a secondary energy source. This |
| outlines numerous inventions, key discoveries or | | | | means that it is generated from other primary |
| milestones which collectively have brought us to | | | | energy sources. To draw out an example we can |
| where we are today. Understanding the evolution | | | | use the US. The Department of Energy has |
| of the past and where we are today does | | | | reported that during 2006 approximately 49% of |
| contribute to what we should be doing going | | | | the total electricity produced was generated from |
| forward. | | | | coal and about 19% from nuclear power |
| One of the first questions that arises when we | | | | generation. In terms of renewable sources, solar, |
| think about the history or evolution of electricity is | | | | wind, biomass and geothermal collectively |
| when electricity was invented or discovered and | | | | generated about 5% of the overall electricity |
| by who? In my opinion there does not seem to | | | | during the same period. |
| be a clear or single answer to this because | | | | This helps me to introduce my second point which |
| electricity as we know it today is an outcome of | | | | is the overall majority of electricity produced or |
| multiple observations, inventions or key | | | | generated in the US for this period was a result |
| discoveries that took place over a extremely long | | | | of using non-renewable energy sources. There is |
| period of time. | | | | obviously a limitation further down the road which |
| This timeline starts with the discovery of static | | | | implies this course of action is not fully sustainable. |
| electricity, invention of electric batteries, the | | | | The last point to highlight is the journey or |
| concepts of voltage and Ohms law. From there | | | | evolution of discoveries and innovations which |
| direct current provided electricity to incandescent | | | | have led us to where we are today will likely |
| lights which was later replaced by alternating | | | | continue going forward. This implies that on-going |
| current. This was then distributed to homes on a | | | | usage of energy sources should be adapted, new |
| widespread basis to address lighting and eventually | | | | or enhanced technologies that optimize electricity |
| appliances. | | | | will ideally be deployed. The increased awareness |
| Returning now to today, just how do we | | | | today on energy conservation and renewable |
| generate electricity which we all take for granted? | | | | energy sources should act as a strong catalyst |
| Electricity is generated or produced by several | | | | towards even further innovation over the coming |
| primary energy sources most notably coal, natural | | | | years. |
| gas, nuclear power, petroleum. Some other | | | | The take-away for consumers is we should |
| renewable sources are hydro power, geothermal, | | | | collectively implement ways to conserve energy |
| solar, wind and biomass. | | | | or more specifically save electricity wherever |
| Why should we be concerned with understanding | | | | possible. In parallel to these energy conservation |
| the history of electricity, timeline, discuss who | | | | steps, adopting new renewable energy sources |
| invented or discovered it and how is it generated | | | | should be a key priority. The outcome ideally |
| today? | | | | being to stimulate more innovation, similar to what |
| The first main reason is to understand that the | | | | we have see in the past. |