Energy Generation…

GENERATORS-
The electrical energy is produced in devices called generators or alternators.

A generator consists, in its simplest form:

-A rotating coil driven by some external media.
-A uniform magnetic field created by a magnet, within which the previous loop tour.

As the loop rotates, the Magnetic drive through flow changes with time, inducing an electromotive force, and if there is an external circuit, an electric current will flow. For a generator to work, you need an external source of energy (hydro, thermal, nuclear, etc..) To make the coil turn at a desired frequency.

-NUCLEAR PLANTS-

A nuclear power plant is a thermal power station. The fundamental difference between nuclear power plants and conventional thermal energy resides in the source used. In the first, uranium and in the latter, the energy of fossil fuels.
A nuclear power plant is, therefore, a power plant in which the  boiler acts as a nuclear reactor. The thermal energy is caused by the fission reactions in the nuclear fuel comprising uranium compound.

Nuclear fission is a process by which the nuclei of certain heavy chemical elements break down into two fragments by the impact of a particle (neutron), releasing a large amount of energy that is obtained in the  nuclear plant, water vapor.

-COIL & NATURAL GAS  PLANTS-

-Electricity Generation By Source-

Coal

Coal is the predominant fuel used for electricity generation worldwide. In 2010, coal-fired generation accounted for 40 percent of overall worldwide electricity generation. Coal-fired electricity generation grows in the Reference case at a 1.8-percent annual rate from 2010 to 2040. In 2040, total world electricity generation from coal is 73 percent higher than the 2010 level.

Natural gas

In 2010, natural gas accounted for 22 percent of the world’s electricity generation. Its projected share rises to 24 percent in 2040. Prospects for natural gas have improved substantially over the past several years. Low natural gas prices are having an impact on the diversity of the fuel mix used in electricity generation. In the near term, the diversity of the fuel mix is increasing as fuel-switching from coal to natural gas proceeds; however, in the long term, a sustained low natural gas price may discourage investment in nuclear generation and renewables. Policy is necessary to ensure that the percentage of zero carbon-emission power generation is growing sufficiently to mitigate the most dangerous effects of climate change.

Nuclear Power

Electricity generation from nuclear power worldwide increases from 2,620 billion kilowatthours in 2010 to 5,492 billion kilowatthours in 2040 in the IEO2013 Reference case, as concerns about energy security and greenhouse gas emissions support the development of new nuclear generating capacity. In addition, world average capacity utilization rates have generally risen over time, from about 68 percent in 1980 to about 80 percent in 2011. Factors underlying theIEO2013 nuclear power projections include the consequences of the March 2011 disaster at Fukushima Daiichi, Japan; planned retirements of nuclear capacity in OECD Europe under current policies; and continued strong growth of nuclear power in non-OECD Asia.

SOURCES:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fossil-fuel_power_station

http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/ieo/electricity.cfm

http://www.c2es.org/publications/leveraging-natural-gas-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions#iv_power_sector