Electricity generation

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 531.

Task 5

Listening

Listen to the text and answer the questions. Speak on the electricity generation using questions as a plan.

electric utilities – электростанция общего пользования

harness – перекрытие

landfill gas - газ из органических отходов

Electricity generation is the process of converting non-electrical energy to electricity. For electric utilities, it is the first process in the delivery of electricity to consumers. The other processes, electric power transmission and electricity distribution, are normally carried out by the electrical power industry.

Electricity has been generated at central stations since 1881. The first power plants were run on water power or coal, and today we rely mainly on coal, nuclear, natural gas, hydroelectric, and petroleum with a small amount from solar energy, tidal harnesses, wind generators, and geothermal sources.

The demand for electricity is met in several ways. Large centralized generators have been the primary method thus far.

Distributed generation uses a larger number of smaller generators throughout the electricity network. Some use waste heat from industrial processes; others use fuels that would otherwise be wasted, such as landfill gas. Wind and solar generation tend to be distributed because of the low density of the natural energy they collect.

1) Name the processes in the delivery of electricity to consumers.

2) Since when has electricity been generated at central stations?

3) What sources are power plants run on?

4) What can smaller generators use?

5) What is the advantage of wind and solar generation?