Transcript Power Generation

Power Generation
www.teachengineering.org/view_activity.php?ur...
Electrical Energy
Why do we use it?
• Electricity is clean, relatively easy to
transmit long distances and can be
converted into different forms of energy we
need in our everyday lives.
Two types of resources
that generate electricity:
1) Non-renewable resources
- sources of fuel that cannot be replaced in a
reasonable time, can run out
- produce wastes when used
- Examples: fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas),
uranium
2) Renewable resources
- sources of fuel that constantly replenish
themselves
- can be used again and again without creating
wastes
- Examples: sun, wind, water (falls, tides), biomass
The Basics – How it works
• Rotating turbines attached to electrical generators produce most
commercially available electricity.
 In most power stations, steam is used to drive the turbine.
Common energy sources to produce
steam include coal, oil and gas,
which are burnt, and
uranium/plutonium, in nuclear
fission.
Coal, oil and gas are
fossil fuels. They are
non-renewable and
produce GHG when
burned.
Turbine turns
Generator turns
Electricity is transmitted
Renewable Sources
 Energy can be used to drive turbines directly.
Common energy sources to turn the
turbines directly include falling
water, wind and waves and tides.
Falling water turns the
turbines directly
Generator turns
Electricity is transmitted
In summary….
Where does Burlington Energy
come from?
Nuclear
54%
Hydro
22%
Alternative
2%
Coal
16%
Natural
Gas
6%
How does the US produce their
energy?
Power Generation Booklet
“How it Works”
In summary….
More about Fossil Fuels…
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Produces steam by burning.
Non-renewable – they will run out.
Give off GHG and Sulfur Dioxide (acid rain).
Need trainloads of coal every day.
More about Nuclear Energy…
• Produces steam (like coal) BUT uses a reactor to
produce steam.
• 1kg of nuclear fuel = 25 tonnes of coal
• Nuclear waste is dangerous
Hydroelectric Power
• Energy is transferred from falling water to turn turbines.
• Need hilly areas with lots of rainfall.
– Dams need to be built. (can destroy habitats)
– Pump water back into reservoirs. (uses electricity)
Wind Power
1st interview (2007)
http://www.ted.com/talks/william_kamkwamb
a_on_building_a_windmill.html
2nd interview (2009) – better version
http://www.viewchange.org/videos/tedwilliam-kamkwamba-how-i-harnessed-thewind