Electricity Generation

From wiki.NGSciEd.org

Brittani C., Casey C., Autumn S.

Contents 1 Discussion Questions 2 History of Electrical Generation 3 Turbine 4 Current Events 5 Lesson Plans 6 Key Terms 7 References

Discussion Questions

How does a turbine use a generator to produce electricity?

What options does the U.S. have in improving electricity generation and electrical grid?

History of Electrical Generation

Electricity has been generated at central stations since 1881. The first power plants were run on coal or water power. Centralized power generation became possible when it was recognized that alternating current, which is an electrical current whose direction reverses cyclically, power lines can transport electricity at very low costs across great distances. This is made possible by taking advantage of the ability to raise and lower the voltage, which is represented as the "carrier" of electrons, using power transformers.(Wikipedia)

In 1831, English physicist Michael Faraday invented the the worlds first generator, the dynamo. This machine converted mechanical energy into electrical energy. Faraday reversed Hans Christian Oestad's discovery that electrical currents created magnetic fields and found that it was possible that magnetic fields could create electrical currents.(Bookrags,2005)

To read more on the first generator and how it was invented, click this link. http://www.bookrags.com/research/generator-woi/

Turbine

A turbine is a rotary engine that extracts energy from a fluid flow. The simplest turbines have one moving part, a rotor assembly, which is a shaft with blades attached.Moving fluid acts on the blades, or the blades react to the flow, so that they rotate and impart energy to the rotor. Early examples of turbines are windmills and water wheels. Almost all electrical power on Earth is produced with a turbine of some type. Very high efficiency turbines harness about 40% of the thermal energy, with the rest exhausted as waste heat.A working fluid contains potential energy (pressure head) and kinetic energy (velocity head). The fluid may be compressible or incompressible. Several physical principles are employed by turbines to collect this energy.(Wikipedia)

A generator is an object that "converts mechanical energy to electrical energy." It allows/makes electric charges pass through an electrical current. It of course does not create the electricity/charge because it is already present in the wire. The generator receives its source of mechanical energy from a turbine. ( wikipedia)

In the image to the right, you see a wind turbine. Focus on number seven which is the generator. A generator is wrapped in copper wire and has magnets inside which spin to create electrical currents. In order to satisfy the high demand for electricity, these generators must be able to put out a steady flow of electricity. We use turbines to produce this large, steady amount of electricity. In the wind turbine, the wind pushes the blades and causes the magnets to spin very rapidly inside the copper wires. The picture below that is a hydroelectric turbine. It uses flowing water which pushes against the blades and causes them to spin, which in turn causes the magnets to spin. Turbines use many fuels in order to operate such as fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), and renewable resources (water, geothermal, wind, and other renewable energy sources).(The Electricity Forum)

The video below will show you how you can make your own generator to provide electricity to light a light bulb.

Current Events

Europe is currently taking on new steps to improve their power ( electricity) generation. It plans on doing this with a " power barge pilot project." (datamonitor staff writer,2009) RWE Power ( out of a Germany group), is currently creating floating pontoons that will consist of environmentally safe, "combined-cycle gas turbine power stations." (datamonitor staff writer,2009)During the summer when grids reach capacity the pontoons can float to specific locations,and attach to the grids. The CEO of the company sees this as a way to provide electricity safely and quickly to places that need it. ( RWE Power,2009)

Industrial groups in the United States are releasing a study " Employment and Other Economic Benefits from Advanced Coal Electric Generation with Carbon Capture and Storage Technologies." ( Press Release,2009) It is meant to explore the options/benefits of incorporating "coal-based electricity generation power plants." (Press Release,2009) These plants consist of CCS (carbon capture and storage) that is meant to decrease the emission of carbon dioxide. Not only will several gigawatts of coal-based electricity be applied to the grid, but also contribute to millions of jobs. ( Press Release,2009)

An energy expert, Susan Eisenhower, feels the electrical grid needs to be significantly improved. Eisenhower states, " It's difficult to move access power around the grid."(Darst,2009) This is huge problem when one city is out of power, and energy from somewhere else is unable to reach. Susan Eisenhower feels that by upgrading the power grid,and finding new energy forms will contribute to the future. ( Paul Darst)

Lesson Plans

Lesson Plan Ideas- Electricty

      - http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/english/schoolzone/elect3.cfm

We've Got the Power ( 6-8 Physical Science)

      -http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/energyefficiency/

Electricity Lesson Plan KS2

      -http://sites.liverpool08.com/Images/UU_Electricity%20KS2_tcm79-72131.pdf

Key Terms

Alternating current

Voltage

Turbine

Generator

References

1. BOOKRAGS STAFF. "Generator". 2005. February 17 2009. <http://www.bookrags.com/research/generator-woi/>.

2. Datamonitor staff writer. ( 2009, February 11). RWE Power to begin barge-based electricity generation. Retrieved February 13, 2009, from http://www.energy-business-review.com/news/rwe_power_to_begin_barge_based_electricity_generation_110209

3. The Electricity Forum. "Electricity Generation". 2009. February 19, 2009.<http://www.electricityforum.com/electricity-generation.html

4.Press Release. ( 2009, February11). The Next Generation of Advanced Clean Coal Technologies to Create Millions of Jobs for American Workers. Retrieved February 13, 2009, from http://www.examiner.com/p-298887~The_Next_Generation_of_Advanced_Clean_Coal_Technologies_to_Create_Millions_of_Jobs_for_American_Workers.html

5. Paul Darst. ( 2009, February 12). Now Is the Time to Upgrade the Nation's Grid, Energy Expert Says...Retrieved February 13, 2009, from http://wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=52055

6. Wikipedia. "Electrical Generator". 2009. February 18 2009.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_generator>.

7. Wikipedia. "Electricity Generation." 2009. February 19 2009.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_generation>

8. Wikipedia. "Turbines." 2009. February 18 2009.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbines>