Energy transfer and storage - Saving energy
Generating electricity
Electricity can be generated in many ways, including:
in power stations using fossil fuels or biomass fuel
using wind turbines
using hydroelectric power schemes
using wave power or tidal power
using solar cells.
Most of the UK's electricity is generated in power stations using fossil fuels. Thermal energy released from the burning fuel is used to boil water to make steam, which expands and turns turbines. These drive the generators to produce electricity.
the fuel is burned to boil water to make steam
the steam makes a turbine spin
the spinning turbine turns a generator which produces electricity
the electricity goes to the transformers to produce the correct voltage
As the fossil fuels are non-renewable energy resources, and they also produce pollution when they burn, we are aiming to produce more of our electricity using other, renewable energy resources. This will reduce the rate at which the fossil fuels are used up.
Reducing energy use
We can also reduce the rate at which the fossil fuels are used up by saving energy. For example, we can:
walk to instead of getting using cars where possible
turn down the heating
turn off the lights when leaving the room
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