INTRODUCTION
Electricity is the heart of maximum technologies out there such as TV, computers, mobiles, Air Cooling devices, and many more all are operating with the power of electricity. Mainly, Electric generators are sources to generate electric power. Basically, in today’s article, we will focus on electricity. The production process of electricity, the pros, and cons of electricity. Also, we will shed light on the history and future of electrical energy.
What is Electricity?
Electricity is a type of energy produced by the presence of charged particles either statically or dynamically as a current. Lightning, static electricity, electric heating, electric discharges, and many more common phenomena are all in relation to electrical energy. The flow rate of charges in a conductor is known as electrical energy. Electric current is measured in S.I units of ampere. Watts are the units of power used to measure electricity.
Important Links
History of Electricity
- Around 500 B.C. Greeks found the concept of electricity.
- In 1752, a Scientist named Benjamin Franklin progressed the proper concept of electricity with the help of explaining lightning through experimentations.
- In the 18th century, innovations and small ideas relating to electrical energy started taking their roots. First Scientist Alessandro Volta invented the first electric battery human know off.
- In the early 18 century, electrolysis was discovered through experiments which also led to the discovery of many elements.
- Electrical energy could be produced by a magnetic field was discovered in 1820 by a danish scientist.
- After the discovery that a magnetic field could produce electricity in 1821, faraday helped science with the beautiful invention of the electric motor.
- Then in the early 18 century till mid-series of milestones happened regarding electricity. Like unit of electrical energy was given the name ohm, concepts regarding electromagnetism were discovered, dynamo basic principles, creation of telegraph machine, first electrical locomotive, etc.
- In the 1870s, the creation of a practical incandescent light bulb gave birth to a new era of lighting.
- In 1870 Thomas Edison gave an invention that led many scientists to work further on inventions regarding electricity. He invented DC electrical motor.
- In 1800, Nikolo Tesla developed an Alternating current electrical motor or AC motor.
- In the year 1881, the United Kingdom gave electrical supply to the local public.
- At ending 18 century, many inventions took place like electrical drills and turbine generators.
- In the early 19 century, many inventions and discoveries regarding electrical energy came into existence. Such as Electrical refrigerators, washing machines, National Grid systems, hydroelectric power stations, vacuum cleaners, Television, etc.
- In 2000, a wave power station was used commercially to produce electrical energy. This energy production helped many households.
How Electricity is produced?
Humans, use renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy to produce electricity. Production is carried out in power plants or energy plants. Electrical power is generated by a device called an electro-mechanical generator which gets operational with the help of steam or other sources of energy. Most of the electricity is produced through thermal power plants, which means by means of steam. In developed countries like America, most of its electrical Energy comes from thermal power plants.
In thermal power plants, fuels such as coal, natural gas, biomass, and uranium are used to heat water until it produces steam. That steam turns propeller-like blades around a rotor inside the turbine. This turning rotor connects to the main shaft which spins a magnet with a coil inside a generator. So the generator inside a turbine converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
With the help of established electrical grids, substations, and transformers, electrical Energy is finally reached in our homes.
Pros and Cons of Electrical Energy
Advantages of electricity:
Electrical Energy is consumed in a variety of modern technologies. There are numerous advantages of using electricity. Domestically, commercially or industrially most of the modern-day equipment is operational with the help of electric power. The advantage of electric power is:
- Electricity is reliable and is easily available.
- The power of electricity to run all day, every day without any interruptions
- Does not directly produce any greenhouse gases is a benefit we cannot deny.
- Besides, power lines work for years and have very less maintenance.
- A station can operate and run for long periods.
- Every household to Industrial level things works with the power of electricity which has eased the life of humans.
- Saves our valuable time by easing our work.
- Electricity is a consistent source of energy.
- If it is based on renewable sources of energy it’s clean and reduces carbon footprint.
- A station can operate for a longer period of time.
Disadvantages of Electricity
- If we built more power plants it means more pollution because most, thermal power stations use nonrenewable sources such as coal, etc. to produce heat.
- Lands are occupied on a broader level as we increase in construction of more dams. As a result lands available for agricultural purposes will be lost.
- The cost for the construction of the whole power project is high.
- The construction of hydroelectric dams impacts aquatic life and thus can harm species.
- Droughts can affect power production.
- Ecosystems can be destroyed.
- Coal is commonly used everywhere around the world for the production of electricity in thermal plants. Thus it results in an increase in global warming which is a risk for the whole of humanity.
- Due to the increase in electricity demands construction of more and more dams becomes vital thus it can increase air pollution.
Future of Electricity
As the nations develop, improvement is evident in technology but at the same time, it has its drawbacks as well. Perhaps the most important drawback of using electrical energy is produced via fossils (coal) which increase carbon footprints around the globe. So keeping these points future must overcome such drawbacks with improved technologies such as :
- Replacing or switching from ICE engines to electric cars.
- Additionally, by the year 2050 if electrical energy is used for space-eating will replace natural gas for sure.
- Use of renewable sources to produce electricity..
The use of renewable energy sources to produce electricity has numerous benefits:
- Reduction of electric bills.
- The payload on the country’s main grid system will be reduced.
- Reducing carbon footprints.
- Pollution is reduced.
Ideas we can adopt:
- Nations on their side should come up with schemes that ease people by switching to renewable sources of use electricity like the Government of the United Kingdom gives people benefits by giving them money for relying on renewable sources.
- Researchers must find more new sources of energy for the usage of electricity. Greener the option more it is better for the future.
- The electricity that is produced from grids must be used only when needed. For example, closing lights, closing TV/ Monitors when not in use, and Air conditioners should be used only when needed.
- To collect information about Solar Energy- Click Here
- To visit the official website of the Indian Ministry of Power- Click Here
- To visit the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy- Click Here
