Nowadays, we don’t think twice about turning the oven on or switching on a light. With electricity a necessity much like food and water, it’s hard to imagine what life would be like without it. Even the seemingly simple things in life like watching television are only possible due to this wonderful invention.

But have you ever wondered if electricity is all it’s cracked up to be? If so, read on to find out all about electricity, how it’s made, and whether it’s still the most convenient form of energy.

What is electricity?

Firstly, we’ll start with the basics.

Invented during the industrial revolution, electricity was discovered by Benjamin Franklin in 1752, shortly after he discovered that the sparks emitted by lightning strikes could be used to generate power.

But things have come a long way since then!

Nowadays, when we refer to electricity, we’re referring to the flow of electrical power or charge. It’s classed as a secondary energy source which means that it’s created by converting other sources of energy such as coal, oil, or gas.

As electricity is the flow of energy, this requires certain pressure to push the electricity around a circuit. This pressure is what’s known as ‘voltage’ and can be changed using industrial power transformers.

How do we make electricity?

Each year, the US consumes a whopping 4.05 trillion kWh, so it’s no surprise that electricity has to be made – and continuously.

As electricity is a secondary source, it means that we have to convert primary sources such as coal, gas, oil, and nuclear power to create electricity. These sources can be renewable or non-renewable, but since The White House set out a target of using 80% renewable energy by 2030, there’s been a big push towards the former.

How we make electricity depends on the source that’s being converted. For example:

  • Coal is milled into a fine powder before being placed into a combustion chamber and burned at a high temperature.
  • Wind energy is created by turning a turbine which spins a shaft that is connected to a generator, producing electricity.
  • Nuclear power is created using ‘nuclear fission’ which involves splitting an atom.

Why is electricity the most convenient form of energy?

Now you know all about electricity, you might be wondering how convenient it actually is.

The short answer is: very!

Here are just a few reasons why:

  • Unlike other energy forms that require careful storage, electricity can be quickly transferred from one location to another.
  • It’s easily generated. With so many ways to make energy, it’s straightforward and sustainable if done in the right way.
  • It can be stored. Electricity can be stored in the form of batteries, so it’s quick and simple to save it for later use if needed.
  • It can be easily converted to other forms of energy. If needed, electricity can be converted into thermal or mechanical energy.
  • It’s easy to transport. Unlike other energy sources like hydrogen, electricity is one of the easiest energy sources to transport over long distances.

So next time you go to switch on the television, you’ll know all about electricity, where it comes from, and why it’s the best invention since sliced bread.