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Different Ways to Generate Electricity Nuclear Energy, Wind Energy and Tidal Energy

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Nuclear Power Plant A nuclear power station captures the energy released when atoms are split within a nuclear reactor. This energy is used to heat water. This water boils to steam. The steam is directed to spin turbines. The turbines are connected to the generators by a generator shaft so as they spin the generators create electricity. The steam is then condensed back into water. The nuclear reaction can be controlled by raising or lowering the control rods in the reactor.

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Diagram of Fission (Splitting Atoms)

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Nuclear Power Plants Pros Cons Radioactive particles from the plants are useful in technology and medicine. Uranium is cheap. Low air pollution. Can be run anywhere uranium can be supplied. Perhaps only 100 years of uranium available. Expensive to run. Plants last only about 50 years before having to be dismantled. The waste is highly radioactive.

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Wind Power - As wind blows against the blades it causes them to lift and rotate. - The rotating blades are attached to the generator by a generator shaft. - The generator creates electricity as it spins.

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Wind Turbines Pros Cons No pollution. Wind is free and renewable. Easy to construct and set up. Wind speed is variable. Turbines break down. Birds can be harmed. Electricity is relatively expensive to generate when compared to other systems.

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Tidal Energy

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Using tidal flows for energy is not a new idea but using it to generate massive amounts of electricity is relatively new. There is no one universal design in use as many different organizations are working to create new and efficient methods for using tidal energy. The basic concept for most designs is to use the moving tides to spin turbines that have been placed in the water. Like the Wind Power, these spinning turbines can have their rotational energy transferred to generators. These generators would then create the electricity. Since the Bay of Fundy has the worlds largest tides this form of energy could be important to NS in the future.

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Tidal Energy Pros Cons Constant energy source Low to no pollution Inexpensive operating costs Renewable High initial costs Devices can be broken by ocean currents, storms, etc. Marine life might be affected

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Power Grids Basics of How They Work These stations increase the voltage to reduce energy loss during transmission.