Generation
Electricity generation refers to the process of converting energy to electricity. There are several sources of energy that generates electric power. Colorado currently receives its electricity primarily from coal, natural gas, hydroelectric, and wind. The table below displays the percentage of total energy generation for each source in the state of Colorado as of 2006.
| Coal | 71.5% |
|---|---|
| Natural Gas | 23.4% |
| Renewables | 5.1% |
An update (showing a substantial increase in renewables) will be available soon on the Energy Information Administration (EIA) website.
GEO is working with utilities, power producers and others to increase the percentage of renewable sources of power, such as wind solar. In 2007 alone, there was 750 megawatts (MW) of wind installed in Colorado. These renewable resources are being augmented by additional plans for new solar and wind generation through existing contracts.
Generation Types
There are two main types of electrical generation: central station power and distributed generation.
- Central Station Power - the most common type of power generation within the utility industry, central station power entails a power plant that produces enough electricity for virtually all electric loads (residential, commercial, and industrial). Examples of central station power are large coal, gas, nuclear, and wind farms.
- Distributed Generation (DG) - generation that is distributed, or located at multiple end-user sites. Unlike central station power, DG generally provides power for one facility such as a residence, commercial building, or industrial facility. Examples of DG are combined heat and power on a hospital or college campus, small wind turbines, and photovoltaic panels.
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