Episode 3 — The National Electricity Supply System

Electricity Supply

Learners will be able to:

• Identify alternative energy sources, besides coal, that can be used to generate electricity (solar, hydro, wind, nuclear) • Sequence the energy transfers that occur in electricity generation: potential (chemical) energy to heat energy, heat energy to mechanical kinetic energy, and kinetic energy to electrical energy • Identify where energy losses occur during electricity generation in a coal-fired power station • Interpret a Sankey diagram for a coal-fired power station to calculate the percentage of useful versus wasted energy • Compare the energy efficiency of a coal-fired power station with a nuclear power station using percentage values • Explain the environmental impact of burning coal to generate electricity, including air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions