Electrical Generation and Transmission Using Fossil Fuels

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the generation and transmission of electricity from fossil fuels as discussed in the lecture notes.

What are fossil fuels?

Natural substances mined from the earth, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, used for generating energy.

What is steam generation?

The process of boiling water to create steam, which is then used to turn turbines and generate electricity.

What is a turbine?

A mechanical device that converts the energy of steam into mechanical energy to drive a generator.

What is a generator?

A machine that converts mechanical energy from turbines into electrical energy.

What is a condenser?

A component that cools steam to turn it back into liquid water for reuse in the boiler.

What is thermal discharge?

The release of heated water back into the environment, often from heating processes in power plants.

What is the electric grid?

The interconnected network for delivering electricity from producers to consumers.

What is NERC?

North American Electric Reliability Corporation, responsible for overseeing the reliability of the electric grid.

What is FERC?

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the agency that regulates interstate transmission of electricity.

What are high-voltage transmission lines?

Wires that carry electricity at high voltage over long distances to reduce energy loss.