Electricity Generation and Delivery

Electricity is an important and necessary product to drive the world economy. Without electricity the world would literally and figuratively be dark including the economies of the world. There many different methods of producing electricity for industry, commercial, and residential usage but the distribution of large amounts of electricity is the same around the world. Production of electricity is done by nuclear, coal, hydroelectric, gas turbines, or petroleum turbines. A very small amount of electricity used in the world today is generated by alternative electrical production methods such as solar or wind turbine generation. After this electricity is generated it is distributed via a network of high voltage lines and substations. A country with a good network of electrical power distribution and electrical power generation infrastructure is a major contributor to the world's economy. Developing countries with poor electrical power production and poor electrical power distribution networks generally have poor economies and rely heavily on rudimentary industries and other countries for support. Electricity production and distribution is a very important factor in the world's economy because it drives industry and commerce.

Electrical Production Methods

Electricity is usually generated by a turbine. The turbine can be driven by steam, water in hydroelectric applications, wind in wind turbine applications, or from the gases produced in the combustion process. The turbine drives a large generator that generates electricity. In smaller applications, such as back-up generators, a diesel or gas engine turns the generator and produces electricity. Back-up generators are most commonly used to provide electricity in critical applications for hospitals, labs, refrigeration, commercial buildings, and some residential uses if the main power grid goes down temporarily. These small generators are not designed to handle a full load and generally only provide electricity to critical circuits in an emergency when the main power goes down. The amount of alternating current (AC) voltages produced by generators ranges from 2400 volts all the way up to 35,000 volts.

Electrical Distribution

This high AC voltage then enters the distribution network and is delivered to a network of substations where transformers reduce the voltage to a usable amount of voltage for industrial and commercial use. Smaller distribution networks have pole or ground transformers that step down the voltage for residential use.

High direct current (DC) voltages are also produced for delivery across a distribution network but the high DC voltages are converted to AC voltage before distribution to the end use. High voltage DC is used mainly for delivery a large amount of electricity over long distance power lines.

The Future for Electrical Production

Solutions to future production of electricity come at a time when most of the world is concerned about using fossil fuels to produce electricity. Fossil fuels contribute to a pollution problem which some experts agree may be causing global warming. Alternative methods of generating electricity to maintain the worlds demand are being sought on a daily basis while some of the older technologies of producing power are being improved by increasing efficiencies of power plants using modern science and technologies. Solar power cells are impractical to meet the needs of the worlds electricity demand because millions of acres of solar cells are need to meet even a fraction of the demand. Hydroelectric power is a good resource but building new damns or hydroelectric power generation station creates environmental concerns that are often expensive and impractical to overcome for a profitable and economical hydroelectric power station. Nuclear power also creates its own problems but many agree this is the ultimate solution to generating electricity for the masses but opponents contend that the radioactive material and waste generated by nuclear power plants are worse for people and the environment than other methods of electrical power generation. Geothermal power uses the earth's natural heat to generate power but is limited to geographical locations where the earth is naturally hot just below the surface. While the main source for the worlds demand of electricity is currently fossil fuels the move is on to find alternative methods to reduce pollution levels based on fears of global warming.

The following video describes some information about electrical power and how it affects economies around the world but mainly concerns careers in electrical work. If you are an electrical professional and want more information on electrical careers please visit our electrical careers pages and submit a resume` or online application.

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