Making Electricity

The usual method of making electricity is to pass a magnetic field through a series of conductors in a machine known as a generator, similar to a very large electric motor. The rotating part of the generator carries coils of wires to create a magnetic field, and as this magnetic field rotates and cuts through the stationary coils of wire, electricity is created.

The energy needed to turn the generators can be provided from a number of sources. Some renewable sources of electricity are hydro, methane, geothermal and wind. Electricity is also generated by burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas. 

Hydro power stations 

Geothermal generation 

Bioenergy generation 

Co-generation 

Wind generation 

  

The electricity generated by each of these methods is then stepped up to a higher voltage to make transmission throughout the country more efficient and is then stepped down to a lower, safer, voltage for home use. 
 2008 Annual Results