The national grid

• Fossil fuel and nuclear power station work by generating thermal energy.

  The kinetic energy of the moving turbines can be converted to electrical energy,

  which is finally sent out across the national grid.
• Electricity demand varies during the day and generally peaks..

  In the late afternoon
• The formula for electric power is..

  Power = voltage x current
• When transmitting electricity, a high current generates a lot of wasted heat.
• Step up transformers are used to..

  Increase the voltage and decrease the current.
• Step down transformers are used to..

  Decrease the voltage and increase the current.
• National grid

  1 ~ Electric power generated at a power station.

  2 ~ Step up transformers increase voltage and decrease current.

  3 ~ The electric power is transmitted via national grid at low current which minimises power loss.

  4 ~ Step down transformers decrease voltage and increase current.

  5 ~ Electric power is wired into our homes at a voltage that’s relatively safe.