Generating Electrical Energy

Generating Electricity Diagram - Electric Power Generation and Use:

Generating Electricity Diagram - Electric Power Plant:

Generating Electricity Description of Components: Fuel/source - Electrons in wires will not move in an organized way without a source of power. (ex. battery, electrical power plant) Electrical power plants differ in how they are powered: burning coal, oil, natural gas nuclear fuel (uranium) solar thermal wind hydroelectric (the pressure of water behind a dam) geothermal (heat from the earth)

Generating Electricity Turbine - Consists of 1000’s of moving blades Transfers the energy in moving steam or water into the rotational energy of a shaft in a generator Ultimately forces wire coils to rotate within a magnetic field in the generator

Generating Electricity Generator - Mechanical energy is converted to electrical energy Thousands of coils of wire spin between the poles of a strong magnet Electricity is generated at at approx. 20,000 volts Transformer - A device that is used to step-up (increase) or step- down (decrease) voltage Voltage is stepped up before traveling large distances and stepped down before distribution to homes and businesses.

Generating Electricity Transmission Lines - Carry electric power many miles at high voltages (approx. 760,000 volts) to the appropriate destination Distribution and Use - Electricity is “stepped-down” or decreased in a distribution transformer to approx. 12,000 volts Voltage is then decreased further; 120 - 240 volt lines extend to homes and buildings where it is used Electricity is unique because it cannot be stored. It must be produced on demand and used immediately!