LESSON 5 Understanding the generation and transmission of electricity

Generation of

Electricity

Electrical energy is not a natural or primary source of energy an it cannot be stored very easily. Electrical energy is generated by several ways:(i)Stored energy (fossil fuel, nuclear and biomass) is converted to thermal energy to make steam that turns the turbine attached to the generator. (ii) Gravitational potential energy (Hydro) is converted to kinetic energy of water to turn the turbine (iii) Kinetic energy of wind turns a wind turbine to generate electrical energy (iv) Solar energy transforms directly into electrical energy by solar cells (v) Chemical energy transforms directly into electrical energy by accumulators
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Sources of energy Sources of energy can b divided into two classifications: (i)Non-renewable sources - Fossil fuels - Nuclear fuel (ii) Renewable source - Hydropower -Solar energy -Biomass -Wind power -Geothermal energy -Wave energy -Ocean thermal energy -Tidal energy

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Generation of Electricity from Various Sources Thermal power stations

Fuels such as coal, petroleum natural gas and uranium are used in the thermal power stations. Heat energy is produced by burning coal or oil in a furnace or from the fission of uranium nuclei in the core of a nuclear reactor. Water absorbs the heat energy in a boiler or heat-exchanger and is turned into steam at a high pressure.

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The high-pressure steam converts heat energy into mechanical energy as it turns the turbine. The generator converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy. Efficiency : 30% - 35% of the energy stored in the fuel is transformed into electrical energy. The disadvantages of this energy source: (i) Air pollutants Burning of fuels produces smoke, dust and toxic acid in the air (ii) Acid rain Burning of fuel also produced acidic gases such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. These gases dissolve in water in the atmosphere to form acids which results in acid rain. (iii) Greenhouse effect The excessive carbon dioxide in the atmosphere gives rise to higher temperatures in the environment. (iv) Non-renewable Their supply is limited and they will eventually run out. (v) Expensive
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(vi) Harmful effects of radioactive radiation on humans and environments (viii) Bad smell A bad smell is released from the biomass The advantages of this energy source: (i)Can develops a new town ( coal, petroleum) (ii) Can recycle the waste matter (biomass) (iii) Small amount of radioactive is required (2) Hydroelectric power station

In hydroelectric stations there is no need to heat steam at all. Water is collected in a high reservoir and possesses a high gravitational potential energy. When the water is felt through a pipe , its potential energy changes to kinetic energy. The kinetic energy of water changes to electrical energy when the water turns the blades of a turbine.
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The disadvantages of this energy source: (i) Disturbs the equilibrium of the ecosystem in the environment. A large area of forest land has to be destroyed include flora and fauna. (ii) Displaces local population (iii) Highly cost The advantages of this energy source: (i) Clean and does not emit pollutants to the environment. (ii) Renewable (iii) Can develops a recreation area (iv) Control flood (3) Solar energy Solar energy can be converted into electrical energy by two methods: (i) Solar furnace

A concave paraboloidal reflector can be used to focus and concentrate the radiant heat energy from the sun. At the focus the heat energy is as concentrated
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as that produced by burning fossil fuels. The heat energy is used to produce steam whose kinetic energy is used to drive the turbine of an electrical generator.

Solar panels use sun energy to generate thermal energy to heat water at home. (ii) Solar cell

Solar cells are made of semiconductor materials which develop an e.m.f. when exposed to sunlight. Solar cell are used in calculator, lamps, wrist watch , heating water and in satellite. The disadvantages of this energy source:

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(i)Requires a large area to collect the Suns ray. (ii) The efficiency of conversion is quite low (about 5%) and the cell production are expensive to produce. (iii) The intensity of Suns ray collected is not consistent , depends on weather condition and time of day. The advantages of this energy source: (i) Clean and does not emit pollutants to the environment. (ii) Renewable (iii) Free (4) Wind energy

The kinetic energy of wind rotates blades connected to the rotor of an electrical generator to produce the electrical energy. The disadvantages of this energy source: (i)Requires a large area to construct a wind turbine. (ii) The speed of rotation of the rotor is not consistent, depends on weather conditions.
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(iii) Produces noise. The advantages of this energy source: (i) Clean and does not emit pollutants to the environment. (ii) Renewable (iii) Free

(5) Wave energy

The Salter duck , is a specially shaped float which rocks back and forth as the
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waves strikes it. This rocking motion can be used to drive a turbine and generate electricity. The whole wave energy generator has a row of ducks lined up facing the oncoming waves. The disadvantages of this energy source: (i)The high cost of building and maintaining the wave generators. (ii) Very vulnerable and difficult to defend. The advantages of this energy source: (i) Clean and does not emit pollutants to the environment. (ii) Renewable (iii) Free

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Transmission of Electricity The major problems to transmit the electrical energy from a power station to the users is the power loss in the cables as heat energy. Power loss in the cables ,
P = I2 R

P = IMsalah

P = Power loss in the cables I = Current flows in the cables R = Resistance of the cables To find the current flows in the cable;
I = P

= Current flows in the cables P = Power transmits through the cables

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V = Voltage transmits through the cables Reducing power loss in transmission lines (1) Using thick cables with a large crosssectional area to reduce the resistance because P R Aluminium alloys are used because they are cheaper and much lighter than copper. (2) Reducing the current through the cables because P I2. To overcome this problem, electrical energy is transmitted at high voltage because ( I1 ) V Transformers are used to increase or decrease the voltage and the transformer can only function with the voltage of an alternating current. This is the reason why alternating current is used in the transmission of electricity. Example 1

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A power station generates 40 kW of electric power using a power transmission line with resistance of 8. What is the power wasted due to the resistance of transmission cable when the voltage is transmitted at (a) 500 V (b) 20 kV Solution

Example 2 A power station generates 80 MW of electric power at a voltage 80 kV through a cable of resistance 5 . Determine (a) The power loss due to the transmission cable (b) The percentages of the power loss (c) The efficiency of the power transmission
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(d) The potential difference along the cable Solution:

Model of an Electricity Transmission System

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To set up a model power lines in the laboratory these following ideas should be followed: (1) Wires must have a low resistance to reduce power loss (2) Electrical power must be transmitted at low currents to reduce power loss. (3) To carry the same power at low current we must use a high voltage (4) To step up to a high voltage at the beginning of a transmission line and to step down to a low voltage again at the end we need transformers. (5) Transformers only work when they are supplied with alternating current. Example 3 In a model of power line , a 12V a.c. supply is connected by wires of total resistance 4 to a lamp of resistance 6. Calculate (a) The current flowing in the wires (b) The power loss in the wires (c) The voltage (i) drop along the power line (ii) available to the lamp at the end of the
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line (d) The power converted in the lamp Solution

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National Grid Network

The National Grid Network is a network of transmissions lines which link all the major power stations in the country with all the major users such as our homes, offices, cities and factories. Electrical energy generated in power stations where its voltage is increased by using a step-up transformer to reduce energy loss in the cable before transmission via the national grid. At a sub-stations, before reaching the various consumers , the high voltage is reduced by using step-down transformer. Advantages of the National Grid Network

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(1) Easy to manage. Regional control and switching centres enable power to be sent where and when it is needed. (2) Less interruptions and continuously Regional control and switching centres allow some stations and lines to be shut down for maintenance work without cutting off the consumers. (3) Reducing cost of generation High voltage transmission can reduce the power loss in transmission cables. The cost of production is reduced. (4) Easy to control and regulate At peak periods of electricity usage , more generators can be switched on. During periods of low demand ,some generators can be turned off.

TUTORIAL 5

1 Which of the following sources of energy is non-renewable?

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A B C D

Solar energy Wave energy Wind power Fossil fuels

2 Which fuel does not have to be burned to produced heat? A B C D Coal Gas Oil Aluminium

3 Governments are trying to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released by thermal power stations. This is because carbon dioxide A contains radioactive carbon B increases global warming C makes plants grow too fast Dmakes the ocean acidic 4 Which of the following is an effect on the environment from a thermal power station? A A large area of forest land has to be destroyed.
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B C D

Displaces local population Produces noise Acid rain

5 Which type of energy is transferred from the wind to generate electricity? A Gravitational potential B Thermal C Kinetic DSound

6 The changes in energy that occur during the generation of electricity power in a Hydroelectric power station is A Gravitational potential energy Heat energy Electrical energy B Heat energy Kinetic energy Electrical energy

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C Gravitational potential energy Kinetic energy Electrical energy DKinetic energy Gravitational potential Electrical energy 7 Which of the following is not used solar cell to operate? A Satellite B Calculator C Wrist watch DTransformer 8 The energy loss in a transmission cable is directly proportional to the A B C radius of the cable resistance of the cable current flows in the cable

9 Power losses in the National Grid system are reduced by using A Thin cables B High cables C High currents DHigh voltages

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10 In the National Grid system the transmission of electrical energy is by means of overhead conductors. These conducting wires carry A B C D Alternating current at high voltage Alternating current at high frequency Direct current at high voltage Direct current at low voltage

11 The diagram shows how electricity from power stations reaches our homes.

The electric current used in X and Y . A must be d.c.

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B C D

must be a.c. can be either a.c. or d.c. must be d.c. at X and a.c. at Y

12 The diagram shows a model of transmission of electricity .

What is the type of transformer at P and Q? A P Q Step- Stepup up trans transfo form rmer er Step- Stepdown up trans transfo form rmer er Step- Stepup down trans transfo form rmer er Step- Stepdown down
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trans transfo form rmer er 13 The power loss in the transmission cable can be reduced by transmits the power at voltage and through cable. A B C D low , thin low, thick high, thin high, thick

14 Which of the following is the reason why is the alternating current is used to transmits the electricity power from a station? A The electrical power only can be generated in form of alternating current B All electrical appliances in the house use alternating current.
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C The voltage of alternating current can be changed by alternating current 15 20 kW of electrical power is transmitted through a cable with a resistance 0.2 at a voltage 10 kV. What is the total power loss in the cable. A 0.5 W C 0.7 W E1.0 W B 0.6 W D 0.8 W

16 A power station supplies 220 kW to a town through a cable of resistance 50 . The transmission voltage is 11 kV. What is the percentages of the power loss in the cable? A C E 0.5% 2.0% 10.0% B 1.0% D 9.0%

17 20 kW of electrical power is transmitted through a cable with a resistance 1.0 km-1. at a voltage 10 kV . What is the power loss for every 1 km?

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A W

0.5 W B D 4.0 W

1.0 W C E 10.0 W

2.0

18 A power station supplies 10 MW through a cable which has a resistance 5 . The transmission voltage is 100 kV. What is the efficiency of the power transmission? A 99.5% C 98.0% E96.5% B 99.0% D 97.5%

19 (a) The figure shows the stages by which the heat is transferred into electrical energy. Complete the diagram by filling in the missing word.

(b) A fuel burning power station uses 2000 J of fuel energy to generate 600 J of electrical energy. The rest is wasted

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as heat. Calculate the efficiency of the power station.

(c) List A gives three energy resources used to generate electricity. List B gives environmental problems that may caused by using different energy resources. Draw a straight line from each energy resource in List A to the environmental problem it may cause in List B. Draw three lines only. List A Energy resource
Destroy flora and

List B Environmental problem that may be caused

Wind

Oil

Produce s a lot of

Hydropo wer

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Produce s radioacti

Acid rain

20 The diagram shows part of a hydroelectric power station.

(a) State the changes in energy that occur during the generation of electricity power in the hydroelectric power station.

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 (b) Given that 0.5 m3 s-1 of water flows down the pipe. [ Density of water = 1 000 kgm-3 ] Determine the power delivered to the water-turbine, assuming that no energy is lost in the pipe.

(c)

State two advantages of using hydroelectric power compared the fuel power. ..

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21 The diagram shows the Model of an Electricity Transmission System. The electrical power of 24 W is transmitted at a voltage 12 V. The voltage reaches at a village across a bulb is 9V.

(a) Why is the voltage decreases when reaches at the village? (b) Two identical ammeters A1 and A2 are connected as shown in the diagram above. (i)What is the reading of ammeter A1.

(ii) Compare the reading of ammeter A2 and ammeter A1?

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............... (c) Calculate (i)the power loss in the transmission line (ii) the total resistance of the transmission lines. 22 (a) The diagram shows a part of the National Grid Network to transmit the electrical power.

(i) State the type of transformer X. . (ii) Give the reason for your answer in b(i) ... ...

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... (b) The following table shows the characteristics of four cables with the same length. Characteristics C of the cable a Dia Densi Rat bl me ty/ kg e of e ter m-3 exp / ansi cm on P 3 7.2 x Lo 103 w Q 3 6.1 x M 103 ediu m R 5 2.9 x Lo 103 w S 6 8.0 x Hi 3 10 gh Based on the table ; (i) Explain the suitability of each characteristic in the table above to be used to make a cable in a transmission line. (ii) Justify your choice and give the
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reason. (c) A power station generates 110 kW of electric power at a voltage 10 kV through a cable of resistance 10 . Determine (i) the current flows through the cable. (ii) the power loss in the cable. 23 (a) Most of our electrical energy comes from hydroelectric power stations and thermal power stations. These power stations are connected by cables to transmit electricity to users in industries , offices, schools and houses. This system is called the national grid network. (i)State the transformations of energy in a hydroelectric power station. (ii) Explain briefly the importance of the national grid network system in distributing electrical energy to the users. The Figure shows how a model of an electric transmission system can be set up in a laboratory. The model consists of a power station that generates 12 V of
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(b)

alternating current (a.c) that transmits the electrical energy to the users using transmission wires and transformers P,Q and R.

You are required to set up a model as in the Figure above, using the information Type of in the following table. transfor Numbe
r of turns of the coil 1 200 1 000 500 400 160 120 mer Core Solid cuprum core Laminate d cuprum core Solid soft iron core Laminate d Soft iron core Material of transmissi on line Constanta n Copper Aluminiu m Nichrome

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(b) Using the information in the Figure and Table above determine: (i)the number of turns in the primary coil and the secondary coil of transformers P,Q and R and show your working. (ii) the type of core you will use in all the transformers and justify your choice. (iii) the material you will use for the transmission wire and justify your choice.

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