Paths energy takes to become electricity through various power plants:
- nuclear: gas turbines ← boiling water ← nuclear fission
- solar: photovoltaic panels ← the Sun ← nuclear fusion
- wind: wind turbines ← the Sun ← nuclear fusion
- hydro: water turbines ← the water cycle ← boiling water ← the Sun ← nuclear fusion
- coal: gas turbines ← boiling water← burning ancient biological material ← photosynthesis of ancient organisms ← the Sun ← nuclear fusion
- natural gas: gas turbines ← burning ancient biological material ← photosynthesis of ancient organisms ← the Sun ← nuclear fusion
- geothermal: gas turbines ← boiling ~water~ liquids ← Earth's inner heat ← nuclear fission (mostly)
- tidal: water turbines ← tidal waves ← Earth's rotation (mostly)
The Sun is even more of a meme there than boiling water.