ENERGY CAN’T BE CREATED, and it can’t be destroyed—it can only change forms.
Traditionally, we have powered audio, lighting, and video systems mostly by burning fuel, which is a form of chemical energy, and converting it into electrical energy. If we’re using grid power, the heat produced by burning fuel is used to boil water and produce steam, which is the mechanical energy that turns a turbine. The turbine is mechanically coupled to an alternator, which converts it to electrical energy in the form of voltage and current. If we’re using a portable generator, igniting fuel converts it to mechanical energy, which turns the alternator and converts it to electrical energy. Whichever way, the process produces harmful emissions.