Energy for

the future
Electricity Generation - Part 2

Generators

Use energy to generate electric currents.

A moving magnet pushes the electrons along a

wire.

The energy used to move the magnet is carried by

the electric current.
magnet
torch
bulb

Coil of wire
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The inventor of the generator

Michael Faraday 1791-1867

invented the generator in 1831.
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What do we need to make a generator

for a power station?
Strong magnets
Lots of wire
then lots of

energy
to turn the generator.
4

Factories, homes and schools

need huge amounts of energy
Generators in
power stations supply
electricity to factories,
homes and schools.
These generators are
in power stations

and are huge!

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Generators in power stations are

very, very big
Huge generators
need huge amounts
of energy.

The energy turns

the generators.
The electric
current carries the
energy to where it
is needed.
Size of a person

How can a generator be turned?

Steam can be used
to turn a turbine
to turn the generator.
Turbine

Source
of
steam
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A power station

electric
current
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How can water be heated to make steam?

Old way: The smoke is dirty and pollutes the
atmosphere.
Burn coal Also produces lots of carbon

dioxide which is a green house gas

heats up the Earth.

Newer way: Gas is cleaner than coal but still makes

lots of carbon dioxide
Burn gas
Eventually the world will run out of coal and gas.
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Steam from nuclear energy

Nuclear reactors can be used

- to split atoms
- to release energy
- to boil water
to make steam
- to turn the generators.

splits to give

This does not cause pollution

but some waste is
very dangerous and has to be
handled very carefully.
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Steam from the Earth

5000 C

- giving energy
to generate
electricity.

70000 C

In some countries there

are hot rocks close to the
surface of the Earth.
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Energy from the Earth

In some countries
energy from the Earth
can be used
to boil water
to turn generators.

This does not cause

pollution
and will not run out.

NREL geo pacific gas and electric

But is not an option in the UK !

It

would need very very deep holes!

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Electricity from waste

Vegetation and animal dung give off energy as

they rot. This can be used to heat homes and
greenhouses directly.

Also
- to
- to
- to

waste can be burned

boil water
make steam
turn generators.

The process uses up waste.

But produces carbon dioxide.
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How else can we turn a generator

without polluting the Earth?
Use flowing water.

top of dam

Hoover Dam in USA 220m high

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Hydroelectricity

Running water turns the generator

Water
from a
mountain
lake

(Tennessee Valley Authority)

Does not pollute the atmosphere.

The dam must be high in mountains.
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Waves

Energy from
waves can be
used to turn
generators.

We have lots
of waves in the
seas around
the UK.

Does not cause pollution.

There are more problems to solve.
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We can make a windmill

When you blow

the windmill it
turns.

The moving air

pushes the blades
round.
What happens
if you blow
harder?
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Wind can turn generators

Many years ago

windmills were used to turn
mill stones to grind grain.

Now modern wind turbines

are used to turn
generators.

Do not pollute the air.

Wind is not used up.
But sometimes the wind
does not blow.

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Energy from the Sun

NASA

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Solar cells
Use solar cells to change the energy in sunlight
into electricity
no generator needed
- needs lots of sunlight.
Solar
cells

traffic
sign

parking meter
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The space station has huge

solar panels
The
International
Space Station
uses solar
panels to
collect energy,
making it
possible for
scientists to
live on board
and do
experiments.

The framework is 109 metres long.

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NASA

Fusion

Makes the Sun shine.

Scientists are finding ways to get huge amounts

of energy.
when small atoms join together,
energy is given out
+
gives
like in the Sun.

Will not run out.

Does not pollute the air.

The future? Not possible for another 20 years!

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Energy Sources:
Fossil fuels
Coal
Gas
Oil

- pollution
- pollution sources do not run out
Renewable
-Hydroelectricity
pollution
needs mountains

Wind - only works when wind blowing

Waste & rotting vegetation greenhouse gases
Sunlight best in sunny countries
Geothermal only in countries with hot springs
Waves small scale only so far

Energy from nuclear reactions

Fission waste needs very careful handling
Fusion waste less dangerous

will not run out - but very difficult !

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Re-cap
A generator generates an electric current
by moving magnets near a coil of wire.
We need a source of energy to turn the
generator:
Burn fossil fuels?
Nuclear reactions?
Renewable energy?

You will have to choose !

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