Electricity suppliers

Electricity has become such an integral part of life that many people take it for granted. Most people use it and never pause to consider what an amazing accomplishment it is. They flip a switch and a light comes on, push a button and cook their dinner or simply do nothing while refrigerators keep their food cold and fresh. All of this without a conscious thought of what is going on behind the scenes.

Electricity suppliers are constantly generating an incomprehensible number of sub-atomic particles that cascade down miles of copper wire at the speed of light to power homes and businesses over a wide region. These electrons run through refrigerators, air conditioners, clocks, manufacturing machines or wait patiently at a switch awaiting someone’s command. Beyond the conveniences of everyday life, electricity saves and sustains many lives by powering hospitals and emergency services. While most people have a general understanding of where electricity comes from and how the electricity supplier delivers it to its destination, fewer understand the science used to produce it and transfer it to its destination.

Metals are conductors and have the common characteristic of allowing electrons to move freely from atom to atom throughout their structure. Placing a conductor in a moving magnetic field will cause the electrons to move. This phenomenon is the Faraday Effect, named for its discoverer.

Electricity suppliers typically utilize this principle in their electric generators by mechanically causing a wound conductor to rotate around a fixed magnet. This causes electrons to flow in the winding and feed directly in to the electric grid. The supplier usually obtains the mechanical rotation of the winding from a steam engine or flowing water. The intrinsic characteristics of the metal wire naturally supplies the delivery of the electricity to its destination.

The Environmental Index