Formula: Power (W) = Solar Irradiance (W/m^2) * Panel Area (m^2) * Efficiency
Note: Efficiency accounts for the losses in the solar panels.
Wind/Water Energy:
Collected using turbines (wind turbines or water turbines like hydroelectric dams or tidal turbines).
Value Types: Watts (W) or Kilowatts (kW)
Formula: Power (W) = 0.5 * Air/Water Density (kg/m^3) * Area (m^2) * Velocity^3 (m/s) * Efficiency
Note: Efficiency accounts for the losses in the turbine and generator.
Nuclear Energy:
Generated using nuclear reactors.
Value Types: Megawatt thermal (MWth) for thermal power generated, Megawatt electric (MWe) for electrical power generated.
Formula: Thermal Power (MWth) = Reactor Thermal Efficiency * Amount of Fissile Material (kg) * Energy Release per Fission (MeV) / Time (s)
Note: Part of the thermal energy is converted to electrical energy, so electrical power (MWe) will be less than thermal power (MWth) due to losses in the steam turbine and generator.
Thermal Energy:
Generated from any heat source other than nuclear (e.g., burning fossil fuels, geothermal energy).
Value Types: Joules (J) or British Thermal Units (BTU)
Formula: Heat (J) = Mass (kg) * Specific Heat Capacity (J/kg°C) * Temperature Change (°C)
Mechanical Energy:
Generated using mechanical devices like engines or directly from kinetic or potential energy.
Value Types: Joules (J) or Watts (W)
Formula: Energy (J) = Force (N) * Displacement (m)