Electric power production and use at the nanoscale: the perspective of electrokinetic phenomena. This paper aims to clarify the use and production of electric energy at the nanoscale and how the electrokinetic phenomena provide promising solutions to attain it. Specifically, this paper describes the nanoscale mechanisms for energy extraction and how they can be coupled to mechanisms that would allow for energy conversion. First, the different uses and production of electric energy are presented in light of their efficiency, their energy resources and the possible negative environmental impact of their extraction. Second, a brief introduction on electrokinetic phenomena is given followed by a summary of the available literature for energy production and use at the nanoscale. Third, this paper addresses the use of electrokinetics to extract energy and the importance of developing nanosystems with active materials that promote an electrochemical reaction as a method for extracting energy from solid phases. Fourth, an overview on the future potential of electrokinetic phenomena is presented together with their advantages, disadvantages and applications. Finally, conclusions are provided and possible future research directions are indicated.