How is produced electricity

This system uses the vertical movement of seawater produced by the gravitational force exerted on it by the moon and the sun. The ebb and flow of the tide generates tidal energy. The caloric energy contained under our feet is gigantic. Geothermal heat pumps are used to generate this energy, extracting or transferring heat to the earth, depending on whether you want to heat the environment, cool it or get hot water.

One of the most precise techniques is the injection of liquid water into the earth's interior area to raise its temperature: the water is converted into steam and returns to the power plant full of energy and ready to be transformed into electricity. The application of this energy depends on the characteristics of each source:. Home Discover energy Energy and more How electricity is generated.

How electricity is generated Would you know how to explain quickly and easily how electricity is produced? For that, let's start at the beginning: What is electricity?

Where does electricity come from? The step-by-step process is as follows: Power generation: electricity is created in plants capable of obtaining electricity from primary energies. The so-called renewable primary energies are wind, solar radiation, tides and non-renewables are coal, natural gas and oil. Companies build power generation facilities and own in whole or in part so-called power stations and infrastructure. They sell the energy generated to the companies that market them suppliers.

Energy transmission: once the energy has been obtained and after being converted into electricity, it is transmitted by overhead power lines suspended by towers or underground, from the power plants to the substations. There are other elements there, called transformers, which are used to ensure an adequate electrical voltage. If they are not large in size, you can exceptionally find them in the city itself, inside a building.

Power distribution: electricity is sent to households in the nearest area from the substations. As a receiver of energy and a consumer, you cannot choose your distributor, as one or another is assigned to you depending on the area where you live. The company you get will be responsible for ensuring that the electricity reaches your home correctly and will take care of any faults. It is also the owner of your electricity meter , and sends its readings to your supplier which is the one that charges you.

Energy trading: your supplier is the one you can always choose and will always be the one that sends you the bills, since it is the one who buys the energy from the generation companies and sells it to you. The suppliers will offer you different tariffs and deals, although in Spain there is a free market where you pay according to the conditions of your contract, as in any other service tariff mobile, Wi-Fi, etc. What types of power plant are there?

It depends entirely on the type of power plant we are talking about, as it depends on how we obtain the energy, we will be dealing with one or the other: Conventional cycle thermoelectric plants coal, diesel and natural gas : coal, natural gas or diesel are burned in these plants. When burned, they raise the temperature of a water tank, transforming it into steam, which causes a turbine to move.

It is this movement, that of the turbine, that generates electricity by means of an alternator that transforms mechanical energy into electricity. That is, movement is transformed into electricity. Finally, the steam goes to a condenser to become water again and start the cycle again. Combined cycle thermoelectric power plants coal, diesel and natural gas : these operate in a similar way to conventional cycle power plants. Like these, they have a turbine that moves with the steam of the heated water.

Appliance, on how your refrigerator stays cold. Looking for a service professional? Visit GetNeighborly. Skip to main content. Your health and safety are our highest priority during this time. Click here for our precautionary measures. Home Blog How is Electricity Produced?

How is Electricity Produced? Most solar-thermal power systems use steam turbines to generate electricity. Geothermal power plants produced about 0. Geothermal power plants use steam turbines to generate electricity. Electricity explained Electricity in the United States.

What is energy? Units and calculators. Use of energy. Energy and the environment. Also in What is energy? Forms of energy Sources of energy Laws of energy. Also in Units and calculators explained Units and calculators Energy conversion calculators British thermal units Btu Degree days.

Also in U. Also in Use of energy explained Use of energy Energy use in industry Energy use for transportation Energy use in homes Energy use in commercial buildings Energy efficiency and conservation. Also in Energy and the environment explained Energy and the environment Greenhouse gases Greenhouse gases and the climate Where greenhouse gases come from Outlook for future emissions Recycling and energy.

Nonrenewable sources. Oil and petroleum products. Electricity explained How electricity is generated. What is energy? Units and calculators. Use of energy. Energy and the environment.

Also in What is energy? Forms of energy Sources of energy Laws of energy. Also in Units and calculators explained Units and calculators Energy conversion calculators British thermal units Btu Degree days. Also in U. Also in Use of energy explained Use of energy Energy use in industry Energy use for transportation Energy use in homes Energy use in commercial buildings Energy efficiency and conservation.

Also in Energy and the environment explained Energy and the environment Greenhouse gases Greenhouse gases and the climate Where greenhouse gases come from Outlook for future emissions Recycling and energy. Nonrenewable sources. Oil and petroleum products. Diesel fuel. Heating oil. Also in Oil and petroleum products explained Oil and petroleum products Refining crude oil Where our oil comes from Imports and exports Offshore oil and gas Use of oil Prices and outlook Oil and the environment.

Also in Gasoline explained Gasoline Octane in depth Where our gasoline comes from Use of gasoline Prices and outlook Factors affecting gasoline prices Regional price differences Price fluctuations History of gasoline Gasoline and the environment.

Also in Diesel fuel explained Diesel fuel Where our diesel comes from Use of diesel Prices and outlook Factors affecting diesel prices Diesel fuel surcharges Diesel and the environment. Also in Heating oil explained Heating oil Where our heating oil comes from Use of heating oil Prices and outlook Factors affecting heating oil prices.

Hydrocarbon Gas Liquids. Natural gas. Also in Hydrocarbon gas liquids explained Hydrocarbon gas liquids Where do hydrocarbon gas liquids come from? Transporting and storing Uses of hydrocarbon gas liquids Imports and exports Prices.