{"id":5605,"date":"2021-03-30T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-29T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/uncategorised\/what-is-electricity"},"modified":"2024-03-05T15:58:55","modified_gmt":"2024-03-05T05:58:55","slug":"what-is-electricity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/what-is-electricity\/","title":{"rendered":"What is&nbsp;electricity?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"is-style-lead\">You might have wondered at one point or another; what actually is electricity? It\u2019s hard to escape; whether you look to nature or you simply go to your kitchen and flick on the kettle; electricity is a part of our everyday lives. But to really understand what electricity actually is, we need to take a look at the science behind it at the atomic level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">It all starts with atoms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Atoms are small particles and put simply, they are the basic building blocks of everything around us, whether it is our chairs, desks or even our own body. Atoms are made up of even smaller elements, called protons, electrons and neutrons. When electrical and magnetic forces move electrons from one atom to another, an electrical current is formed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take a look at this video to see electrons in action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What is Electricity?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/L8WauHZ2Lo8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How is electricity made?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Firstly, to generate electricity, you\u2019ll require a fuel source, such as coal, gas, hydropower or wind. In Australia, most of our electricity supply is generated from traditional fuels, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/what-is-coal\/\">coal<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/natural-gas\/\">natural gas<\/a>, with around 14% coming from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/renewable-energy\/\">renewable energy<\/a> sources.<sup>1<\/sup>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Regardless of the chosen fuel, most generators operate on the same proven principle: turn a turbine so that it spins magnets surrounded by copper wire, to get the flow of electrons across atoms, which in turn generates electricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coal and gas work in similar ways; they are both burned to heat water, which creates steam and turns the turbine.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Renewable energy sources such as hydropower and wind operate slightly differently, with either the water or the wind being used to turn the turbine, and generate the electricity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Solar photovoltaic panels take a different approach again: they generate electrical power by converting solar radiation into electricity using semi-conductors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Power stations convert fuels into electricity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-2-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-coal-gas-burned-illustration-1024x416.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17129\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-coal-gas-burned-illustration-1024x416.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-coal-gas-burned-illustration-300x122.png 300w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-coal-gas-burned-illustration-150x61.png 150w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-coal-gas-burned-illustration-768x312.png 768w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-coal-gas-burned-illustration-1536x624.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-coal-gas-burned-illustration.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Coal and gas are burned to heat water and turn it into steam<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-csg-pressure-valve-illustration-1024x416.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17130\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-csg-pressure-valve-illustration-1024x416.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-csg-pressure-valve-illustration-300x122.png 300w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-csg-pressure-valve-illustration-150x61.png 150w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-csg-pressure-valve-illustration-768x312.png 768w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-csg-pressure-valve-illustration-1536x624.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-csg-pressure-valve-illustration.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The steam, at a very high pressure, is then used to spin a turbine. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-2-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-turbine-magnet-illustration-1024x416.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17131\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-turbine-magnet-illustration-1024x416.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-turbine-magnet-illustration-300x122.png 300w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-turbine-magnet-illustration-150x61.png 150w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-turbine-magnet-illustration-768x312.png 768w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-turbine-magnet-illustration-1536x624.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWorks-turbine-magnet-illustration.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The spinning turbine causes large magnets to turn within copper wire coils &#8211; this is called the generator. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"416\" src=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWokrs-power-button-illustration-1024x416.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-17132\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWokrs-power-button-illustration-1024x416.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWokrs-power-button-illustration-300x122.png 300w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWokrs-power-button-illustration-150x61.png 150w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWokrs-power-button-illustration-768x312.png 768w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWokrs-power-button-illustration-1536x624.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/HowElectricityWokrs-power-button-illustration.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The moving magnets cause electrons in the wires to move from one place to another, creating an electrical current and producing electricity. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Electricity goes out via the grid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In Australia, we get our electricity via a sophisticated networked grid. Electricity leaves generators and travels along conductor wires on the networked grid to homes and businesses across the country. By the time electricity reaches you, it\u2019s likely to have travelled hundreds of kilometres through the grid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Australia\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/nem-the-national-electricity-market\/\">National Electricity Market<\/a>&nbsp;or the NEM is the largest interconnected power system in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interested in how you use energy at home? If you have a digital smart meter, you can track your usage through My Account or via the Origin app. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/app.html\">Download the Origin app<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pb-accordion-item c-accordion__item js-accordion-item no-js\" data-initially-open=\"false\" data-click-to-close=\"true\" data-auto-close=\"true\" data-scroll=\"false\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\"><h4 id=\"at-56050\" class=\"c-accordion__title js-accordion-controller\" role=\"button\">References<\/h4><div id=\"ac-56050\" class=\"c-accordion__content\">\n<p>With analysis from Origin Energy, data includes all of Australia: the National Electricity Market (QLD, NSW, Vic, SA, TAS), plus Western Australia and the Northern Territory, but excludes Mt Isa. Embedded generation data sourced from State of energy market report 2014, Australian Energy Regulator, WA FY12 data from Greg Ruthven 2012, Statement of Opportunities Pre-Launch briefing, Independent Market Operator 2012 and NT FY13; data Energy Supply Association of Australia 2012, Electricity Gas Australia 2014<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Electricity is part of our lives, providing light and heat to us for generations. But do you know what it is and where electricity comes&nbsp;from?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":19029,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[105],"tags":[20],"oe_author":[],"class_list":["post-5605","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-at-home","tag-electricity"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5605","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5605"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5605\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19029"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5605"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5605"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5605"},{"taxonomy":"oe_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.originenergy.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/oe_author?post=5605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}