December | 2015 | Mara's Blog

How Hydro Electric Dams Produce Electricity

There are many reservoirs that supply us with water, and that are being refilled naturally by our water cycle. Whenever it snows or rains, the water is collected in the reservoirs. When we need to use it, the water goes through huge pipes called penstocks, and push the water through turbines. The water causes the turbines to spin and generators create clean electricity. Generators usually generate electricity with a low voltage so that it can travel long distances all around BC. The voltage is increased with a step-up transformer so not to waste any energy.

Pros/Cons of Hydro-Electric Power

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How Thermal Power Plants Produce Electricity

Oil, natural gas, or coal are burned to produce steam (not from the coal, but from the water that the coal is heating). The steam is under great pressure and is transmitted through large pipes. The pressure pushes the blades of the turbines and causes them to spin. The turbine is attached to a generator that produces electricity.

Pros/Cons of Power Plants

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How Electricity is Transmitted from the source to homes

The power is transported through grids across BC, over mountains and large areas. The grids are the things that we call “power lines.” The voltage is then reduced with a transformer from a high voltage, to a voltage that’s more common for household use.

A Summary of How the Transmission Process Works

In conclusion, electricity is an important part of our everyday lives. There are many different ways that we can produce it, and each method has pros and cons to it. Electricity is created, and then it’s voltage is increased with a step-up transformer. It is distributed across the country using power lines, or grids. Once it gets to our street, it’s voltage is decreased with a step-down transmitter so that it’s useable for our homes, and so we are not wasting energy.