Editing Electricity generation (section)

=== Electrochemistry ===
[[File:Hoover dam from air.jpg|thumb|Large dams, such as [[Hoover Dam]] in the United States, can provide large amounts of [[hydroelectric power]]. It has an installed capacity of 2.07 [[Gigawatt|GW]].]]

[[Electrochemistry]] is the direct transformation of [[chemical energy]] into electricity, as in a [[battery (electricity)|battery]]. Electrochemical electricity generation is important in portable and mobile applications. Currently, most electrochemical power comes from batteries.<ref>[http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/archive.cfm/pubDate=%7Bd%20'2003-09-24'%7D#6490 World's Largest Utility Battery System Installed in Alaska] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080627023319/http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/archive.cfm/pubDate%3D%7Bd%20%272003-09-24%27%7D#6490 |date=2008-06-27 }} (press release, 2003-09-24), U.S. Department of Energy. ''"13,670 nickel-cadmium battery cells to generate up to 40 megawatts of power for about 7 minutes, or 27 megawatts of power for 15 minutes."''</ref> [[Primary cell]]s, such as the common [[Zinc–carbon battery|zinc–carbon batteries]], act as power sources directly, but [[secondary cell]]s (i.e. rechargeable batteries) are used for [[electricity storage|storage]] systems rather than primary generation systems. Open electrochemical systems, known as [[fuel cell]]s, can be used to extract power either from natural fuels or from synthesized fuels. [[Osmotic power]] is a possibility at places where salt and fresh water merge.