Introduction

Electricity is the word derived from the Greek word electrons which is the flow of electric charges. Electricity plays a very important role in our daily life. It lights, heats and cools our homes. Electricity performs most of our heavy works. The impossible tasks for man became possible through electricity. We need electricity in most of our works to make them simpler and well equipped. Electricity is used in our homes, in industry, in transport, for lighting , for operating fans, for heating purposes, for cooling , for running industrial machines, to pull electric trains, to run computers , radio, television etc.Thus we find that in modern times electricity is the most important source of energy.

Supplying electricity: The electricity is sent from the power station along thick wires called cables. They are supported above ground by tall pylons. The electric current is boosted by transformers along the way. The electricity goes to sub-stations from where cables carry it to houses, factories, shops and offices.

Alternative power: Coal and oil fired power stations cause pollution. Fossil fuels once used up, cannot be replaced. Leaks of radio activity from nuclear power stations are a potential hazard. So alternative methods for generating electricity are needed. Wind turbines on wind forms solar power (in which solar panels store sunlight for conversion to electricity) tidal and wave produced are all possibilities for future. The other way to obtain energy from sea is by making use of difference in temperature of water on sea surface. At many places this differences is about 20°C and this can be used to produce electricity. This type of energy is referred to as ocean thermal energy (OTE).

Different methods of generating electricity

1       Producing energy from water: Flowing water is allowed to flow from a height and turn the turbines. The rotating turbines help to generate electricity.

2       Producing energy from wind: Wind mills or wind turbines are used to produce electricity.

3       Electricity from oceans: The tides and waves have large amount of energy which can be used to produce electricity.