Generating Electricity

I. 4 Steps to Delivering Electricity A. Electricity Generation B. Electric Power Transmission C. Electricity Distribution D. Electricity Retailing

II. Methods of Generating Electricity A. Rotating turbines attached to electrical generators produce most commercially available electricity. B. Turbines are usually rotated by using steam, water, wind or other fluid as an intermediate energy carrier.

Look inside a turbine

A Steam Turbine

Video Clip

III. Energy sources used in electrical power generation A. The world relies mainly on coal and natural gas for power. B. Steam turbines can be powered using steam produced from geothermal sources, solar energy, liquid, gaseous and solid fossil fuels. C. Nuclear reactors use the energy created by the fission of radioactive plutonium or uranium to generate heat.

III. Energy sources used in electrical power generation (cont.) D. Hydroelectric power plants use water flowing directly through the turbines to power the generators. E. Tidal (wave) energy uses the force of the moon on bodies of water to spin a turbine. F. Wind generators use wind to turn turbines that are hooked up to a generator. G. Power generation by thermonuclear fusion has been suggested as a possible way of generating electricity; currently a number of technical obstacles and environmental concerns stand in the way.

U.S. Energy Production

After the electricity is made… B. Electric Power Transmission Much of the electricity is lost during transmission C. Electricity Distribution Transformers step down the voltage to a level people can safely use D. Electricity Retailing The meter in your home records how much energy you use

Answer Questions 1-5, pg 164