Energy comes from a mix of natural resources and processes that store and transfer energy for use. In practical terms, we obtain energy from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal), nuclear power, and a broad range of renewable sources (sun, wind, water, biomass, geothermal, etc.), plus the energy we get from other commodity streams like electricity grids that combine these sources. Key energy sources and how they contribute

• Fossil fuels: Coal, oil, and natural gas are burned to produce heat, which drives turbines to generate electricity or power engines. These have historically been the dominant global energy source, though their share varies by country and over time.

• Nuclear: Energy produced from nuclear fission in reactors provides large-scale, low-carbon electricity in many countries.

• Renewables:
  • Solar: Photovoltaic cells and solar thermal systems convert sunlight into electricity or heat.
  • Wind: Turbines convert kinetic energy from wind into electricity.
  • Hydropower: Moving water (rivers, dams) drives turbines to generate electricity.
  • Geothermal: Heat from the Earth’s interior is used for power or direct heating.
  • Biomass: Organic matter burned or converted to produce heat or electricity.
    These sources are naturally replenished on human timescales and are central to decarbonization efforts.

• Other energy forms: Heat, chemical energy, and mechanical energy exist in various forms and can be converted to usable energy through different technologies. Electricity is a primary carrier of energy that can be produced from these various sources.

Where energy comes from in practice

• Global electricity mixes show different contributions by region and over time, with fossil fuels often providing a large portion in many countries, while renewables and nuclear contribute increasing shares in others. The exact mix varies with policy, geography, technology, and economics.

• The energy landscape has evolved: renewable energy use has grown significantly in electricity generation and is increasingly central in decarbonization strategies, while fossil fuels remain major energy sources for transport and heating in many places.

If you’d like, specify your region or country and I can summarize the current energy mix there, including the latest shares from major sources (oil, gas, coal, nuclear, hydro, wind, solar, etc.).