1. Generating Electrical Energy

2. Generating Electricity
Diagram - Electric Power Generation and Use:

3. Generating Electricity
Diagram - Electric Power Plant:

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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; 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!