Electrical energy is the most convenient form of energy for most human uses. Electrical energy is easy use and move from one location to another, but it is almost impossible to store in any large quantity. It can be used for running computers and most appliances, home heating, and even transportation. Electricity is used by industry, households, and businesses—accounting for 18% of end use energy worldwide.[2]
The energy itself is held in the movement and configuration of electric charge. The flow of electric charge (usually electrons) is electric current. Charge can build up on a capacitor and store electrical energy. This energy is physically carried in the electric fields and magnetic fields associated with how charges are arranged and moving, but can easily be turned into most energy services.
Electrical conduction is the physical phenomenon that allows electricity to be transported easily. Wires, materials made out of conductors (usually metals), are capable of transporting this energy hundreds of kilometers. This system of transporting electrical energy is called the electrical grid.
Electrical energy is not a primary energy source, but rather an energy currency (read more in the article electricity as an energy currency). Primary energy (like wind or natural gas) goes into an electric generator to make electricity for easy use and transport. The energy that is transported and used by so much of the modern high energy society must come, fundamentally, from some primary fuel or primary flow.
Electrical energy is very convenient, and as a result more and more of the energy used by a high energy society is in the form of electricity, see figure 1. The rate of electrical energy use is growing faster than the rate of electricity use, see figure 2.
Figure 1. The above graph shows how electricity use is growing as a percentage of the total final energy use in the world.[2] This shows that the flexibility of electricity creates a strong incentive to have as great a fraction of energy produced in that form as is possible.
Figure 2. The above graph shows how electricity use is growing faster than the total final energy use in the world.[2] This shows that the flexibility of electricity creates a strong incentive to have as great a fraction of energy produced in that form as possible.
Explore the data in the simulation below to find out how the electrical energy varies by country and by sectors within that country. Click on a sector on the right side of the visualization to explore its end use paths in more detail, and click "see all categories" to return to the original screen.
Even though we use it every day — for lighting our homes, charging our mobile devices, taking a hot shower and so much more — electricity can be a confusing concept to fully grasp. In this article, we will review the basics of what electricity is and answer the burning question: "How does electricity work?"
Within each atom, there are three building block particles that make up all matter: protons, neutrons and electrons. Protons and neutrons can be found packed tightly into the center of the atom — the nucleus. Electrons, much smaller in mass, orbit around the nucleus.
Protons carry a positive charge, and electrons carry a negative charge. These opposite charges attract each other. The atom is in balance when there are an equal number of protons and electrons. (Note: neutrons do not carry a charge and can vary in number.)
Electrons usually remain at a constant distance from the nucleus in what are known as "shells." Closest to the nucleus is a shell that can hold up to two electrons. The next closest shell can hold up to eight electrons. Shells further out can hold more.
Example: Why does rubbing a balloon on your head make your hair stand up straight? It''s because you shifted some electrons off the balloon and into your hair. The electrons, which repel each other, tried to get as far away from each other as possible. They went to the ends of your hair strands, making your hair stand on end. This is static electricity.
Electricity is actually a secondary energy source. It is created from converting primary sources of energy — like natural gas, oil, coal, wind, solar, etc. — into electrical power.
The process of generating electricity on a large scale is complex. Generation occurs at power plants, converting one of the primary sources mentioned above into electricity. That electricity then moves through a system of substations, transformers and power lines that connect the energy producers to consumers.
Electricity flows through the grid and enters a house either through outdoor power lines or an underground connection. Power can be turned on or shut off in certain areas of the home from the central service panel. This is commonly referred to as the breaker box.
Watts are the unit used to measure power consumption. The more power utilized by an item, the higher the wattage. For example, a 100-watt light bulb (or equivalent LED bulb) uses more power and shines brighter than a 40-watt light bulb (or equivalent LED bulb).
Homes and businesses are equipped with electric meters outside where electricity enters the structure. It measures the total usage of a home or building. The electric utility company that services the address monitors the meter.
When you receive your electricity bill, it will show you how much electricity you have used in the past month. You''ll see your usage reported in kilowatt hours (kWh). A kilowatt equals 1,000 watts; a kilowatt hour is equivalent to one hour of electricity use at a rate of 1,000 watts.
The best way to figure out how much electricity you use at home is to review your previous electricity bills. You will probably notice that your electricity usage varies by season. Looking at a full 12 months of usage history data, you can calculate the average number of kilowatt hours (kWh) you use each month.
That''s electricity in a nutshell! Of course, there are many more details and aspects of electricity that can be explored. However, the information above gives you a good starting point for answering questions like "What is electricity?", "How is electricity made?" and "How does electricity work in a house?"
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