The National Grid

• What should you be able to describe by the end of the video on the National Grid?


  How electricity is distributed by the National Grid and the role of step-up and step-down transformers
• What is the primary source of electricity generation in the UK?


  Over 50% comes from burning fossil fuels
• What percentage of electricity in the UK comes from renewables like wind power?


  25%
• What percentage of electricity in the UK is generated from nuclear power?


  Around 20%
• What is the role of the National Grid?


  To distribute electricity from power stations to homes
• How many homes in the UK does the National Grid supply electricity to?


  Around 25 million homes
• What are the main components of the National Grid?

  A system of transformers and high-voltage cables
• What is a significant problem in distributing electricity to homes?

  Energy is lost in the power cables due to resistance
• How does the distance between power stations and homes affect energy loss?


  The greater the distance, the greater the energy loss
• What is one way to reduce energy loss in electricity distribution?

  Building power stations near to homes
• What is the function of step-up transformers in the National Grid?


  They increase the potential difference to several hundred thousand volts
• Why is it important to increase the potential difference in the National Grid?


  To reduce energy loss in the power cables
• What happens to the electricity after it passes through high-voltage cables?


  It passes through step-down transformers
• What do step-down transformers do in the National Grid?


  They reduce the potential difference to around 230 volts
• What is the final potential difference of electricity before it enters homes?


  Around 230 volts
• What are the key facts about the National Grid?

  • The National Grid is a system of transformers and cables
  • Step-up transformers increase the potential difference, reducing energy loss
  • Step-down transformers reduce the potential difference before electricity reaches homes
• What should you remember when discussing energy loss in the National Grid?


  To say less energy is lost, not less electricity is lost
• Where can you find more questions on the National Grid for revision?

  In the revision workbook linked in the video
• What is the overall goal of the video on the National Grid?

  To describe how electricity is distributed and the role of transformers