Overview of Electricity
Electricity—or electrical energy—is moving electrons. We depend on electricity for many tasks in today’s world.
![](http://ei.lehigh.edu/learners/energy/electricity/lightbulb.jpg)
Electricity provides energy to lights so we can see at night.
![](http://ei.lehigh.edu/learners/energy/electricity/hvac.jpg)
Electricity runs our heating and cooling systems so we can be comfortable in our homes.
![](http://ei.lehigh.edu/learners/energy/electricity/electronics.jpg)
Electricity powers our electronics so we can work, communicate, and be entertained.
Electricity is a secondary energy source. We generate electricity by harnessing energy from other sources and converting it.
![](http://ei.lehigh.edu/learners/energy/electricity/coalPower.jpg)
Coal power plants convert heat from burning coal into electricity.
![](http://ei.lehigh.edu/learners/energy/electricity/nuclearPower.jpg)
Nuclear power plants convert heat from nuclear fission into electricity.
![](http://ei.lehigh.edu/learners/energy/electricity/solarPower.jpg)
Photovoltaic cells and solar power plants convert sunlight into electricity.