# Generators and alternators: Overview

The spinning magnets inside almost every power station

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_generators/overview/

What this tile covers Machines that turn rotation into electricity in almost every power plant. Share of use 19% share of final energy use (2025)

Share of world total final energy consumption (about 435 EJ, calculated: motor systems 13,462 TWh are 53% of electricity, so about 25,400 TWh or 91 EJ, and electricity is about 21% of final energy) that passes through this device or is used by this sector, latest year available. Electricity-based devices use electricity's 21% share of final energy (IEA WEO 2025). Overlaps between devices and sectors are allowed and noted. Every power source except solar PV (and fuel cells) uses a rotating generator. Solar was 2,778 TWh, about 8.8% of world electricity in 2025 (Ember; share calculated from renewables 10,730 TWh = 33.8%); 91.2% of electricity's 21% share of final energy is about 19.2% (calculated). Overlaps the turbine and engine tiles. Source: [Global Electricity Review 2026](https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/global-electricity-review-2026/), Ember.

#### Key facts

| **Chain** | Mechanical → magnetic → electrical |
|---|---|

#### Included from the reference tables

- Generators and alternators
- Dynamos
- Electromagnetic induction

#### Linked to the material world
[Cu Copper](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/copper/)[REE Rare earths](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/rare_earths/)[St Steel](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/steel/)

#### Also in Conversion devices
[ST Steam turbines and thermal power plants](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_steam_turbines/)[CCGT Gas turbines and combined cycle](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_gas_turbines/)[ICE Internal combustion engines and gensets](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_engines/)[Mot Electric motors and drives](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_motors/)[PE Transformers and power electronics](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_power_electronics/)[FC Fuel cells](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_fuel_cells/)[Elz Electrolysers](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_electrolysers/)[HP Heat pumps, air conditioning and refrigeration](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_heat_pumps/)[EH Electric heating](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_electric_heat/)[LED Lighting and displays](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_lighting/)[Blr Boilers, furnaces and stoves](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_combustion_heat/)

Explore paths from here
 More on this tile in the tabs above: science and limits, value chain, unit economics, engineering methods, equipment and suppliers.

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_generators/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_generators/correlation/index.md)
- [Science and limits](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_generators/science/index.md)
- [Value chain](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_generators/valuechain/index.md)
- [Unit economics](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_generators/economics/index.md)
- [Engineering methods](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_generators/methods/index.md)
- [Equipment and suppliers](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_generators/equipment/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_generators/links/index.md)