Electric energy is present in our day to day, at all times we are depending on electric energy and even more so in this technological age in which we live, because we are all the time in front of devices with screens that need electrical energy to charge. your batteries. Thus, our society as we know it would not be possible without electricity.
If you want to know how electrical energy is generated and much more about it, continue reading this interesting article by Green Ecologist in which we talk about what is electric power and examples, its types, how it is produced and its advantages and disadvantages
What is electrical energy - definition
The electric energy It is the one that is generated when there is a potential difference between two points or more points, that is, between points with different electrical charges. This makes it possible to establish a electric current between the points by putting them in contact through an electrical conductor. Thus, the electrical current is produced that is converted into electricity that we can use for our day to day.
Here you can learn how electricity was discovered.
Types of electrical energy
Within this energy we can distinguish different forms of electricity or types of electrical energy:
- Static: It occurs when two neutrally charged materials come into contact, that is, their atoms have the same amount of positive charges (protons) as negative (negative) charges. By separating these materials they can gain or lose negative charges (electrons). This imbalance in the distribution of charges is what generates an electrostatic field.
- Dynamic: it is when there is a constant flow of electrons thanks to a permanent source of electricity.
- Electromagnetic: It occurs in electromagnetic fields, where magnetic and electric field waves propagate through space at the speed of light. Find out here what is electromagnetic pollution, causes, consequences and examples.
Electric power: examples
Here are some examples where electrical power is used:
- Lighting of urban centers: electric power allows our cities and towns to be illuminated. With this in mind, you may be interested in knowing how to save electricity at home.
- Rechargeable batteries: These batteries, which are usually found in mobile phones or laptops, among other devices, once they are exhausted must be connected to the supply network to recharge them
- Electric heating: These work thanks to a resistance system, they are less polluting than heating systems that use combustion materials, but they do need a large load of electrical energy. Learn here How to save on electric heating.
- Lightning bolts: lightning is an example where electrical energy is generated naturally.
- Activation of household appliances: anyone that needs to be plugged in to connect to the electrical supply network; washing machines, television, microwave, etc.
How electrical energy is produced
Now that you know all this, you may wonder how electrical energy is generated and here we will clarify it for you. To produce electrical energy there are different ways but, in general, the process to generate it is carried out in a power plant, or it could also be generated in smaller quantities thanks to specialized devices. Power plants generate electricity as a consequence of turbine spin that are moved by the steam that is produced with the heating of water, through:
- The burning of fossil fuels.
- Nuclear reactions.
But there are not only power plants that use non-renewable energy sources. There are also many power plants that take advantage of renewable energy sources, What:
- Hydraulic power.
- The eolic energy. In this case and in the case of hydraulics, they use renewable sources of air and water, respectively, to move the turbines that will produce electricity.
- Another example would be the transformation of solar energy into electrical energy thanks to photovoltaic panels.
When electricity is obtained, it will switch to power lines to be distributed by large cities and all those facilities that demand it. Although, if there is a time when so much electricity is not being demanded, it could be stored in different circuits to be used at a time of greater demand.
Electric power: advantages and disadvantages
Electric power was a before and after in society, allowing advances in industrialization and technological development. In fact, without it the society we know today would be impossible. However, there are advantages as well as disadvantages in it:
Advantages of electric power
- We are facing a very powerful and fast energy.
- It's easy to use.
- Storage for long periods of time is possible.
- Handling it is not very expensive.
Disadvantages of electric power
- The greatest disadvantage of electrical energy is due to the high cost involved in producing it, since to generate it, it is generally necessary to use fuels that, in addition, are a threat to the environment, therefore, its high cost is not only economic, but also environmental.
- Another disadvantage is that the contact of electricity with living beings can cause burns, as happens with flying birds colliding with power lines.
- If there is a problem on the premises, fires can occur.
- The vulnerability of power lines to the most extreme weather conditions (such as a storm) can damage them causing blackouts or the distribution network suffers a fall.
Due to the great disadvantage of electrical energy, the demand for green energy that come from renewable sources, like the wind or solar radiation.
If you want to read more articles similar to What is electric power and examples, we recommend that you enter our category of non-renewable energies.
