How is energy produced in BC?
There are 30 hydroelectric dams is BC, which provide 86% of BC’s power. Hydroelectric dams can be many different types of river-based dams, such as, storage, run-of-river and pumped hydro. They were originally built in the 30s-40s. Hydroelectric dams rely on the kinetic energy of falling water to omit electricity. The amount of electricity that can be produced depends on the height change in the hydroelectric dam. These hydroelectric dams have huge drop-offs that help rise the amount of kinetic energy. The dams hold water that is used to store energy in the form of potential energy. The water is released into a pipe, then it makes contact with a turbine, making the turbine spin. As it spins, it powers a generator. A shaft connects the turbine to the generator which holds magnets that spin, and rush past a number of coils made our of copper. This creates alternating current.
How does the transmission system bring electricity to my home?
The first step to powering a home involves substations. These substations distribute volts to power transformers throughout your area. The voltage that is distributed to the power transformers is way too high (it is about 46,000 volts or 115,000 volts). So, the transformers basically tone the volts down. The volts are then moved to distribution transformers, where they are toned down to a more acceptable amount for your house. By now, the distribution transformer sends the volts for kilometers, until it reaches your house. The, the volts are stepped down to 120/240 volts). After the distribution transformer does its job, the volts are transferred to a service wire that’s attached to your home, either underground or above ground, which and is attached to a meter box. The home breaker is attached to the meter box with a wire, and by now, your switches are activated, and your lights will turn on with the flick of a switch.
Websites I used:
http://www.energybc.ca/profiles/largehydro.html
Jadyn, you have provided a great summary of how a hydroelectric dam generates electricity and how it gets distributed to our homes. We also received electricity produced in a thermal plant, and it would be worthwhile explaining how this method works as well. BC requires more energy each year, and we will have new generating plants built in the next few years – what are the pros and cons of each of these methods?