Electric Journey

Power stationsPower stations generate electric current in very large quantities for supply to the national grid. are usually located near coasts and rivers - often a long way away from towns and cities. Power stations use generatorsA machine that causes an electric current to flow in wires by taking energy as movement and transferring it to energy as moving charge. to produce high voltagesA measure of the energy of the electric charges in a circuit.. These high voltages cause electric currentElectric current is a flow of electric charges (electrons). to flow through wires that are connected to a network of overhead linesThick electric cables that carry electricity from where it is generated to where it is used. (which we call the distribution system). These power lines criss-cross the country carrying the electric current to where it's needed. There are lots of uses: powering trains and in factories, our homes, schools and community buildings and for lighting our streets. Sometimes these power lines are carried on pylonsA tall metal tower that carries very high voltage power lines. high above the ground, sometimes, they're buried under the ground - especially near towns and cities.

To produce the high voltages needed, the power station passes the electricity through a substationSubstations are an important part of the national grid. They contain transformers which increase or decrease the voltage of an electric current. Substations are very dangerous if you try to tamper with them or vandalise them. Do not enter a substation for any reason - it is against the law and you could be electrocuted. which increases the voltage of the electric current. Then, along its journey, and near to where the electricity is to be used, more substations are used to reduce the voltage so the electric currentElectric current is a flow of electric charges (electrons). can be used safely.

At various places along the Electric Journey you might see the danger of death sign, which warns us to keep away from the electrical equipment. The sign is there for a reason - do not play near these places as the danger of death is very real.

Danger of death signs on pylon and substation

Take the Electric Journey

How does electricity get to our homes? Take the Electric Journey.

Did you know?

Electric shock victims often can't let go of the thing that is passing the electric current into their body. That's because the electricity makes their muscles contract.
Fossil fuels won't go on for ever - oil could run out in 30 years.
In August 1887 the London Electric Supply Corporation commissioned Ferranti to build the first power station. Today our electricity supply is still based on the system that Ferranti designed.
Thomas Alva Edison 1847-1931 is one of the most successful inventors ever, applying for over 1,300 patents by 1910, mainly to do with electrical or mechanical development.
Fossil fuels won't go on for ever - gas could run out in 40 years.
All electrical appliances are rated in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW) ( One kilowatt is the same as 1,000 watts). You can use the ratings to compare how much electricity they use.
Electricity used at home is metered in 'units' or kilowatt hours (kWh). Each unit is the same as 1,000 watts of electricity used for 1 hour. 1 unit = 1kWh.
Save energy - Boil just enough water for the number of hot drinks you want to make - that way you won't waste energy.
In 1771 Luigi Galvani used electricity to make a dead frog's leg jump!
The first turbine engines were designed by Charles Parson (1854-1931). Today turbine engines used to generate electricity are still based on his designs.
Save energy - Use energy efficient light bulbs and, when you are leaving a room empty, remember to turn the lights off.
In the 1780s, Alessandro Volta invented the first battery - all because of Luigi Galvani's experiments with dead frogs.
Save energy - Make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are full before you turn them on and use the lower temperature settings.
Michael Faraday (1791-1867) was the first person to create a way of generating a constant current of electricity. His invention led to the power stations we know today.
The Italian inventor Alessandro Volta (1745-1827) is best known for his work on electric current.
An electric eel can produce powerful electric shocks: up to 500 volts and one ampere of current (in other words, 500 watts).
High voltage electricity is carried across the country by pylons and 'stepped down' for domestic use at substations. The National Grid supplies electricity all over the country.
Fossil fuels won't go on for ever - coal could run out in 250 years.
Modern power stations and steam turbines use the same engineering principles that James Watt (1736-1819) applied when he invented the steam engine.
Save energy - Finished playing on your games console or other equipment? Remember to switch off!
What is a watt? Why is it called a watt? It's a unit measuring electric power, named after James Watt (1736-1819).
What is a volt? And why is it called a volt? The volt measures electromotive force. It was named after the Italian inventor Alessandro Volta (1745-1827)
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) developed the first lightning conductor after flying a kite in a thunderstorm. A spectacular but very dangerous experiment!
Save energy - Don't forget to switch your TV and computer off when you have finished using them.
In 1831 Michael Faraday demonstrated electromagnetic force at the the Royal Institution in London, a famous centre for scientific education and research.
Michael Faraday (1791-1867) is one of the most famous people involved in the discovery and harnessing of electromagnetic force.
Today we still use words that Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) introduced: battery, conductor, positive and negative charge, electric shock and electrician.
In 15 minutes, the sun radiates as much energy onto Earth as all the people on the planet during an entire year. Just imagine if we could channel the sun's energy effectively!
The ampere is named after André-Marie Ampère (1775-1836). He discovered many of the mathematical principles of electromagnetism.
In 1800 Alessandro Volta built the world's first battery from discs of copper and zinc sandwiched between cardboard moistened with a salty water.
At Deptford in 1891, electrical engineer Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti (1864-1930) designed and built the first power station and supply network. His basic system is still used around the world.