ELECTRICITY 101

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ELECTRICITY 101

http://bit.ly/TPPAMCS

Basics of electricityGenerating electricity

– Using steam, turbines, generator– Similarities of power plants

Distributing Electricity– Generation– Transmission– Distribution– Power grid– Smart grid

Utilities– Cost of electricity– Regulation– Deregulation

Planning for the future3

ELECTRICITY 101

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ELECTRICITY 101

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What is electricity?

Electricity is the flow of electrons.• Sometimes you see it in the sky in a lightning streak. • Sometimes you hear it crackle when you take off a sweater.

We make electricity flow through a wire to send it to where we need it.

• One reason we use so much electricity is that it can be used in so many ways. We send it by wire into homes, schools, and workplaces to provide light, heat, cooling, and to run machines.

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ELECTRICITY 101

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ELECTRICITY 101

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ELECTRICITY 101

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ELECTRICITY 101

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ELECTRICITY 101

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ELECTRICITY 101

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ELECTRICITY 101

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ELECTRICITY 101

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ELECTRICITY 101

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1. Fossil fuels are burned to heat water to produce steam.2. Steam turns the blades of a turbine.3. The turbine spins a coil of wire on the shaft of a generator

that turns inside a magnetic field.4. Electrons flow in the coil…..That is electricity!Video clip: Fossil fuel power station - how it works

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeXG8K5_UvU(courtesy of Nanticoke Generating Station)

ELECTRICITY 101

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1. Mechanical energy of moving water turns the blades of a turbine.

2. The turbine spins a coil of wire on the shaft of a generator that turns inside a magnetic field.

3. Electrons flow in the coil…..That is electricity!

Animated diagram: Hydroelectric power station - how it workshttp://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/hyhowworks.html

(courtesy of the Tennessee Valley Authority)

ELECTRICITY 101

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1. Atoms are split to heat water to produce steam.2. Steam turns the blades of a turbine.3. The turbine spins a coil of wire on the shaft of a generator

that turns inside a magnetic field.4. Electrons flow in the coil…..That is electricity!Animated diagram: Nuclear power station - how it workshttp://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/basic-ref/students/animated-pwr.html

ELECTRICITY 101

Steps in getting electricity to customers: 1. Generation – converting a source of energy to produce electricity 2. Transmission – using high voltage lines from the power plant to send

electricity across long distances3. Distribution– using lower voltage wires to deliver electricity to local

customers.

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Substation

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PEARL STREET STATION255 – 257 Pearl StreetManhattan, New YorkSeptember 4, 1882

coal fired steam turbines6 100 kW jumbo dynamos27 tons each139,000 btu/kWh110 Volts DC100,000 ft of wiring

82 electric customers400 light bulbs ($1 ea)50¢ / kWhSteam customersdistrict heating

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The electric grid

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Electricity can travel hundreds of kilometers before you get it.

Electric power transmission lines (wires) move large amounts of electric power over long distances.

• At the power plant, the electricity voltage is increased for transmission. • The high-voltage electricity goes through the wires of a power grid to a

substation. • At a substation, electricity is reduced to lower voltages for distribution to

homes, schools, and businesses.

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Higher voltage goes to substations

Lower voltage goes to customers

Electricity can travel hundreds of kilometers before you get it.

Electric power transmission lines (wires) move large amounts of electric power over long distances.

• At the power plant, the electricity voltage is increased for transmission. • The high-voltage electricity goes through the wires of a power grid to a

substation. • At a substation, electricity is reduced to lower voltages for distribution to

homes, schools, and businesses.

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Higher voltage goes to substations

Lower voltage goes to customers

Electricity can travel hundreds of kilometers before you get it.

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~20,000 generators >1MW in ~7,000 power plants~55,000 transmission substations

~360,000 miles transmission lines (180,000 high voltage)~5.5 million miles distribution lines

What is a power grid?

The high-voltage electric current is carried through the power grid to a substation. A power grid is a network of wires for transmitting electricity. Transmission lines have evolved into three major power grids in the 48 connected states.

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Alaska and Hawaii have their own power grids.

Video clip: Smart Grid http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/tech/power-grid.html