Power Generation/Introduction/Intro 2

Energy is defined as the ability to do work. We can simplify the forms in which we encounter energy in our daily life into three forms as follows:

1 Mechanical energy (Measured in N.m → Newton-meter = Joule): 2 Thermal energy (Measured in Cal or KCal → Calorie or Kilocalorie): 3 Electrical energy (Measured in Watt.sec → Watt-second):
 * Ability to move things.
 * Ability to heat things.
 * Ability to use electricity to do work.

All the above forms of energy are interchangable since they can be used to do work and thus can be expressed using the same unit of measurement. The Joule!. The following table summarizes the relationship among energy units

Calorific value of fuels
The following list of external sites shows a comparison of various types of common fuels and their calorific value:


 * 1) Calorific values at wikipedia
 * 2) Calorific values at kaye & labby