成人快手

How is electricity generated?

Electricity comes from a wide range of sources but have you ever wondered how that electricity is made?

In this article you can learn about:

  • Different energy sources used to make electricity
  • How turbines and generators generate electricity
  • How electricity gets to our homes and schools

This resource is suitable for energy and sustainability topics for primary school learners.

Video - Generating electricity

Learn where electricity comes from and how generators work in this fun short video.

Back to top

Where does electricity come from?

Electricity comes from a wide range of sources - solar panels, hydroelectric dams, geothermal reservoirs, fossil fuels, gases from our waste and even the energy stored inside atoms can all be used to generate electricity.

We don鈥檛 get electricity directly from these sources. There is a process between capturing energy from the wind or sun or chemicals and plugging in a device to supply it with the electricity it needs to work.

How is electricity made?

A turbine in a power station
Image caption,
Some turbines are huge and have many blades that are pushed round by hot air or steam. (Cultura Creative RF / Alamy Stock Photo)

Most of the ways we generate electricity involve kinetic energy.

Kinetic energy is the energy of movement. Moving gases or liquids can be used to turn turbines:

  • Wind turbines are turned by moving air.
  • Hydroelectric turbines are turned by water flowing down through pipes.
  • Wave and tidal turbines are turned by the movement of the sea.

Other energy sources start with heat energy. Geothermal, nuclear, biomass and fossil fuel power stations all produce heat. This heat energy is used to heat water into steam, or to heat other liquids or gases.

Heating liquids or gases makes them expand and take up more room. This causes movement that can be used to turn turbines.

A turbine in a power station
Image caption,
Some turbines are huge and have many blades that are pushed round by hot air or steam. (Cultura Creative RF / Alamy Stock Photo)
Graphic showing how gas is converted to electricity
Image caption,
In many power stations, heat energy is used to create moving steam or hot air. This movement can turn a turbine, which goes on to turn a generator.

What is inside a generator?

Inside a generator, showing the copper wires and magnets
Image caption,
The inside of a wind turbine generator. The ring in the middle has a circle of magnets around its edge. When this spins, electricity flows through the coils of copper wire that surround it. (Mike Hudson / Alamy Stock Photo)

In power stations, turbines are connected to generators. Inside the generator is a ring of magnets and this is surrounded by another ring, made up of lots of tightly wrapped metal wire.

When the generator turns, the magnets spin round. The movement of magnets past the wires makes electricity start to flow through the wires.

Inside a generator, showing the copper wires and magnets
Image caption,
The inside of a wind turbine generator. The ring in the middle has a circle of magnets around its edge. When this spins, electricity flows through the coils of copper wire that surround it. (Mike Hudson / Alamy Stock Photo)

How is electricity transported?

Electricity is transported via our National Grid of power lines and cables. Some of these cables have large pylons in fields. Others are underground and connected to homes and buildings.

Pylons
Image caption,
Electricity is transferred from power stations to our homes and businesses through a network of pylons and cables we call the National Grid. (David Robertson / Alamy Stock Photo)

Electricity facts

  • 9.5% of the world鈥檚 population (740 million people) have no access to electricity. In comparison, people in the UK power many different devices and machines using electricity every day.

  • Some electricity is created from non-renewable sources, like fossil fuels. These fossil fuels produce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change and will eventually run out.

  • Some electricity is created from renewable sources, like wind or hydroelectricity which are climate friendly and won鈥檛 run out.

  • Electricity is not a human creation. It is present in many natural processes as well, such as how our hearts beat, how thunderstorms cause lightning and even how electric eels can shock their prey.

Back to top

Key words about generating electricity

鈥 Solar panels are used to produce electricity. Made from lots of solar cells, solar panels can be found on buildings but can also be used on a solar farm to harvest the power of the sun.

- Kinetic energy is energy that an object possesses because of its movement. The kinetic energy of the wind or water can turn the blades on a turbine to generate electricity.

- A simple turbine has a shaft and blades that turn movement of liquids or gases into mechanical movement. Usually, water or air push the blades and turn the shaft. Turbines are used to turn the generator.

鈥 A machine that is used to make electricity. When the generator head is turned, this kinetic energy is converted to electrical energy.

- The National Grid is the name given to the network of pylons and powerlines that transport electricity to our homes, schools, offices and businesses.

鈥 Large metal structures that hold electric cables high above the ground, away from people, animals or obstructions.

Back to top

Test your knowledge

Quiz

Challenge

Challenge

Have a look around you

As you go about your day, can you spot any of the different parts of the process of creating and transporting electricity?

Here is a checklist of things to look for:

  • Wind farms or solar panels
  • A power station
  • A power substation on a street
  • An electricity pylon
  • Cables carrying electricity
  • Plug sockets in a home or building

Important! Electricity can be dangerous! Do NOT touch plug sockets or attempt to touch power lines or cables or attempt to go into power stations or substations. This task is only about looking and is best done with an adult for guidance. Look out for, and pay attention to, any warning signs around electricity and electrical devices.

Back to top

More on Sustainability

Find out more by working through a topic