6.1 Generation of Electricity

  • Energy sources can be classified into two main groups,

  1. Renewable energy sources - Energy sources that can be replaced continually and will never deplete.

  2. Non-renewable energy sources- Energy sources that can be replaced continually and will never deplete.

  • Examples

  1. Hydro energy, Wave energy, Solar energy, Tidal energy, Wind energy, Biomass energy & Geothermal energy (Renewable energy sources).

  2. Nuclear energy, Coal, Natural gas & Petroleum (Non-renewable energy sources)

  • There are various types of electricity generator, such as thermal generator, hydroelectric generator, biomass generator, nuclear generator and solar energy generator.

  • Generally, all these electrical energy generators use the same principle of generation. The turbine turns the dynamo that is connected to it. The dynamo has a wire coil placed in between a magnet. The wire coil cuts across the magnetic lines of force and electric current is produced.

Bakun hydroelectric power station in Sarawak (Energy source: Hydro energy)

Mechanism hydroelectric power generator

Tuanku Jaafar power station in Negeri Sembilan (Energy source: Natural gas)

Mechanism Thermal power generator


Sultan Azlan Shah power station in Manjung, Perak (Energy source: Coal)

Gelugor power station in Pulau Pinang (Energy source: Diesel)

TSH Bio-Energy Sdn. Bhd. Biomass power station in Sabah (Energy source: Biomass)

Mechanism biomass power generator


Types of Currents

Electric current is divided into two types:

  1. direct current (d.c.)

  2. alternating current (a.c.)

DIRECT CURRENT (D.C)

  • Direct current is an electric current that flows in one direction only.

  • Examples of devices that use direct current are torchlight, toys and calculators.

  • Sources of direct current are Solar cell, accumulator and batteries.

ALTERNATING CURRENT (A.C)

  • Alternating current is an electric current that flows in constantly reversing directions.

  • Examples of devices that use alternating current are rice cooker, air conditioner and hair dryer

Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (C.R.O.)

Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (C.R.O.) is an electronic device that is used to show the differences in the shape of graph, direction of current and voltage change for direct current and alternating current.


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