2.5.1 Structure and Function

• The National Grid is the system of high-voltage electricity transmission networks that distributes electricity across the UK
• The National Grid is responsible for transmitting electricity generated at power stations to local distribution networks.
• What is the main purpose of the National Grid?

  Reliable electricity supply
• The National Grid comprises power stations, transformers, high-voltage transmission lines, substations, and distribution networks
• Transformers step up the voltage for efficient long-distance transmission.
• Match the component of the National Grid with its function:

  Power Stations ↔️ Generate electricity

  Transformers ↔️ Step up voltage

  High-Voltage Transmission Lines ↔️ Carry electricity long distances

  Substations ↔️ Step down voltage

  Distribution Networks ↔️ Distribute electricity locally
• What is the role of substations in the National Grid?

  Step down voltage
• The National Grid ensures a reliable and efficient supply of electricity to the entire country.
• Transformers in the National Grid step up the voltage for efficient long-distance transmission
• Steps in the transmission of electricity across the National Grid:

  1️⃣ Power stations generate electricity

  2️⃣ Transformers step up the voltage

  3️⃣ High-voltage transmission lines carry electricity

  4️⃣ Substations step down the voltage

  5️⃣ Electricity is distributed to homes and businesses
• High-voltage transmission lines carry electricity across the country with minimal energy wastage.
• What is the purpose of high-voltage transmission lines in the National Grid?

  Carry electricity long distances
• What role do power stations play in the National Grid?

  Generate electricity
• High-voltage transmission lines carry electricity over long distances
• Substations step down voltage for local distribution.
• What do distribution networks deliver electricity to?

  Homes and businesses
• The National Grid is a high-voltage electricity transmission network
• What is the purpose of the National Grid?

  Distribute electricity
• Transformers are used to step up or down voltage for efficient transmission.
• What type of energy sources do power stations use to generate electricity?

  Various energy sources
• Transformers step up voltage at power stations to reduce energy losses
• Match the National Grid component with its function:

  Power Stations ↔️ Generate electricity

  Transformers ↔️ Step up or down voltage

  High-Voltage Transmission Lines ↔️ Carry electricity over long distances

  Substations ↔️ Reduce high voltage for local use
• Electricity is transmitted across the National Grid in a single-step process.

  False
• High-voltage transmission lines carry electricity to substations over large distances
• Steps in the transmission of electricity across the National Grid:

  1️⃣ Power stations generate electricity

  2️⃣ Transformers step up voltage

  3️⃣ High-voltage transmission lines carry electricity

  4️⃣ Substations step down voltage

  5️⃣ Distribution networks deliver electricity
• What is the primary function of transformers in the National Grid?

  Voltage transformation
• Transformers at power stations step down voltage to reduce energy losses.

  False
• Transformers at power stations step up voltage to around 400,000V
• What voltage do substations typically step down electricity to for local use?

  230V
• The National Grid ensures a reliable and consistent supply of electricity
• What type of energy losses are minimized by the National Grid's efficiency?

  Voltage transformation losses
• The National Grid delivers electricity to homes and businesses across the UK.