Generating electricity

Getting good study habits

What are the two types of energy resources?

Renewable and non-renewable

What does renewable mean?

It will be naturally replenished in a human’s lifetime

What is an example of renewable energy?

Wood, water, wind

What does non-renewable mean?

It can not be replaced by natural means within a human’s lifetime

What is an example of a non-renewable energy source?

Coal. It takes many years to be created inside the earths crust and it is a finite material, eventually running out

How is energy created?

1. Some form of heat boils water in a boiler
2. The boiling water releases steam
3. The steam turns turbines, which turns a generator
4. The electricity created in the generator flows along cables into the national grid

What is an electric generator?

A device that turns the kinetic energy of the turbines into electrical energy

How does a generator generate electricity?

The turbines turn, which turns the generator. Inside the generator, there are magnets and wires, and the process of moving a magnet near wire (or wire near magnet) creates a steady flow of electrons or flow of electric charge. The electricity generated from this process flows along cables into the national grid

What happens to the steam after it turns the turbines?

Heat rises, so the steam rises into the cooling tower. The cool temperature makes the steam turn back into water. The water then flows back into the boiler. If the steam does not turn back into water, it will continue rising and exit the building.

What is alternating current (AC)?

The electrical current produced by generators. The direction of the current changes back and forth.

What is direct current (DC)?

It is used when we need a source of portable electricity. This can be supplied by cells or batteries. They store chemical energy, which can be changed to electrical energy. Cells go flat when they run out of chemical energy, but some cells can also be recharged.