0
In the transmission of electricity how is some of the energy lost?
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
The bulk of the energy lost is due to the resistance of the transmission lines - the so-called I squared R loss. The squared bit of this explains why long distance lines run at such high voltage; if you multiply the voltage by 10 the current reduces by a factor of 10. The I2R loss then reduces by a factor of 100. Actual lines increase the voltage by more than a thousand times, thus reducing losses more than a millionfold.
There are some other losses due to
- eddy currents in the Transformers
- capacitive leakage
- corona discharges
- skin effect. This last one is why some of the extra-high-wattage links use DC.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
How is energy lost whilst electricity is being transmitted?
Power lines have a certain amount of resistance which results in a conversion of some electricity to waste heat.
What happens to the lost energy when fossil fuel is used to generate electricity?
Energy is never lost, it is transformed into different types or transferred into different systems. Some of this is useful energy, for example thermal energy used to power a turbine or generator. Some of this thermal energy is not useful, and instead just heats up the fuel container or components of the generator. This energy has still come from the fossil fuel being burned, but it has not been transferred into the system for generating electricity.
How do you convert elastic energy into electricity energy?
Elasticity is the ability of a material to return to its original shape after being deformed. It is not a form of energy. Mechanical energy is needed to deform the material which stores this partially as potential (mechanical) energy, some is transformed to heat energy, which dissipates, and some is lost to entropy, as in all energy conversions. When the potential (mechanical) energy is released it can be used to drive an electrical generator to produce electricity, until the material returns to its original shape.
What are some examples of how electricity can be converted to other forms of energy?
Electricity is stored as chemical energy when you charge a battery. Electric motors turn electricity into kinetic energy. Electric ranges/ovens/stoves turn electricity into heat energy.
How much energy in the coal is lost when it's burned for electricity?
The very best coal plants have a effciency of about 45% so 55% of the energy of coal ends up as waste heat. Some power plants can send the waste heat to another user like a paper mill if one is nearby. Additional losses occur in transmission of electricity (about 7%) generator losses (2-3%) transformer losses (2%) and then further losses depending on what appliances you run. In all only about 1/3 of the energy from burned coal will end up at the end user so 2/3 of the energy is "lost". But since energy is not ever lost but just ends up in a form that cannot do any useful work.
How is energy lost whilst electricity is being transmitted?
Power lines have a certain amount of resistance which results in a conversion of some electricity to waste heat.
If an alternator powers an electric motor that turns the alternator will there be extra usable energy?
No.All alternators, generators, and motors lose some of their mechanical and/or electrical energy to heat. The alternator converts mechanical energy into electricity, but some of that mechanical energy is also converted into heat (through friction and transmission loss), and the heat is lost to the environment. Similarly, an electric motor that converts electricity into mechanical energy also loses some of its energy to heat, also through friction and transmission loss. It is important to note that the energy is never truly lost - all the energy is accounted for - but the energy dissipated as heat is no longer available to the electrical / mechanical system.Let's assume that the motor and alternator are 99% efficient - that means that they lose only 1% of their energy to heat and transmission loss. You can imagine, then, that after a moment, there is only 99% of the energy left, and then 98%, then 97%, and so on until the system exhausts all of the energy through friction and transmission losses, at which point the system stops.NOTE: Purists will argue that an alternator actually needs a battery to initially generate electricity, and that the above discussion only applies to a generator - while true, that point is beyond the scope and relevance of the above discussion.
What happens to the lost energy when fossil fuel is used to generate electricity?
Energy is never lost, it is transformed into different types or transferred into different systems. Some of this is useful energy, for example thermal energy used to power a turbine or generator. Some of this thermal energy is not useful, and instead just heats up the fuel container or components of the generator. This energy has still come from the fossil fuel being burned, but it has not been transferred into the system for generating electricity.
Energy loss in conversion from mechanical energy into electrical energy?
Yes, some energy is always lost, in most conversions.Yes, some energy is always lost, in most conversions.Yes, some energy is always lost, in most conversions.Yes, some energy is always lost, in most conversions.
What are some properties of current electricity?
transmission lines
Why does processor heat?
Because CPU's are'nt 100% efficient (that would be impossible). They are slightly resistive, where some energy is wasted, this is as heat. This is because no material can conduct electricity with no loss in the energy, some will always lost.
Give one disadvantage to converting from fossil fuels to geothermal energy?
Converting one form of energy to other always lost some energy in the process. The use of Geothermal energy is making electricity, fossil fuel can make electricity through generator. Adding unnecessary step from fossil fuel -> geothermal -> electricity is nothing more than additional loss in energy transformation process.
What are some useful properties of current electricity?
transmission lines
How do you convert elastic energy into electricity energy?
Elasticity is the ability of a material to return to its original shape after being deformed. It is not a form of energy. Mechanical energy is needed to deform the material which stores this partially as potential (mechanical) energy, some is transformed to heat energy, which dissipates, and some is lost to entropy, as in all energy conversions. When the potential (mechanical) energy is released it can be used to drive an electrical generator to produce electricity, until the material returns to its original shape.
What are some example of electricity?
One example of current electricity are transmission lines. These bring electricity from power stations to individual houses.
What are some examples of how electricity can be converted to other forms of energy?
Electricity is stored as chemical energy when you charge a battery. Electric motors turn electricity into kinetic energy. Electric ranges/ovens/stoves turn electricity into heat energy.
How much energy in the coal is lost when it's burned for electricity?
The very best coal plants have a effciency of about 45% so 55% of the energy of coal ends up as waste heat. Some power plants can send the waste heat to another user like a paper mill if one is nearby. Additional losses occur in transmission of electricity (about 7%) generator losses (2-3%) transformer losses (2%) and then further losses depending on what appliances you run. In all only about 1/3 of the energy from burned coal will end up at the end user so 2/3 of the energy is "lost". But since energy is not ever lost but just ends up in a form that cannot do any useful work.
