Generating Electricity

Electricity can be generated from many different sources - from both kinetic and potential groups. Some of these sources are renewable and nonrenewable. For example, solar panels convert the sun's radiant energy into electrical energy.

In Australia, the bulk of electricity is generated using coal, natural gas and hydro power.

In Queensland, most of the electricity is generated from coal-fired power stations, which convert chemical energy stored in coal to heat energy to kinetic energy in the form of steam to turn the turbine and finally to electrical energy.

The energy created is used to drive turbines in the power stations, which then turn magnets inside large copper coils to produce electricity. The copper coils are made up of billions of atoms and electrons. As the coils spin, the magnets cause the electrons to flow quickly from atom to atom creating electricity. Turbines are a set of blades or rotors that spin when drive by gas, water, steam or wind. The turbine provides the mechanical energy to turn the generator, which in turn produces the electricity.

Click here to see how energy gets to your home.