Converting Directly into electrical energy

[michojek]

Is there any known method to convert straight into electrical energy?

without all that 'steam' part? xD

 

[Andrew Mason]

Is there any known method to convert straight into electrical energy?

without all that 'steam' part? xD

Are you talking about converting thermal energy into electrical energy capable of doing useful mechanical work?

AM

 

[mfb]

Converting what into electric energy?

Chemical energy? Fuel cells (for some chemical reactions)
Mechanical energy? Generators
Light? Photovoltaics
Something else?

 

[michojek]

*Sorry for not making it clear,

I mean as, where all of our energy in the modern society is made through
spinning turbines by through thermal energy

so is there an alternative?
Other than *photovoltaics

 

[Andrew Mason]

*Sorry for not making it clear,

I mean as, where all of our energy in the modern society is made through
spinning turbines by through thermal energy

so is there an alternative?
Other than *photovoltaics

It depends on the source of energy. What is the source of energy?

AM

 

[QuantumPion]

You can convert a temperature difference directly into electricity using a thermoelectric generator. However they are very inefficient. Their primary use is for radioisotope thermal generators on spacecraft where the reliability of having no moving parts is more important than pure efficiency.

 

[mfb]

Commercial concepts:
Hydroelectricity
Wind power
Photovoltaics (a bit expensive, but that might change)

Concepts/Prototypes:
Solar updraft tower -> heat is involved, but not in the conventional way
Tidal power plants
Wave power plants
Osmotic power plants (http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/11/24/us-norway-osmotic-idUSTRE5AN20Q20091124)

Possible:
Fuel cells (with hydrocarbons as fuel)
Thermoelectric generators
+ anything I forgot

 

[michojek]

So which is the most *efficient way?

 

[russ_watters]

Chemical energy can be converted to electrical energy with an efficiency of well over 90% in a battery. Other sorts of chemical energy can be converted to electrical with efficiencies up to around 65% in a fuel cell.