Energy Sources and Power Stations

Electricity is a convenient way to supply energy

• Electricity is convenient (handy) because:
  • it can travel long distances through the national grid
  • it can be used in many different ways
• Electricity is called a secondary energy source because it's made using primary energy sources (things like coal, nuclear fuel and wind)
• Most electricity is generated by using primary energy sources to heat water in power stations
• These are called thermal power stations because they make heat
• The process in a thermal power station is:
  • Energy from the fuel (which is usually burnt in a boiler) makes steam from water
  • The steam turns a turbine
  • A generator makes electricity from the movement (kinetic energy)…