Australia has an abundance of coal which is mined and exported overseas as well as used in the production of electricity at our coal fired power stations.
But how exactly do Australia’s coal fired power stations work?
I’ll try to simplify the explanation for you.
Firstly, electricity is the flow of electrons through a conducting material such as copper wiring in your home or workplace. The majority of electricity in Australia is produced by using a spinning magnet to move electrons back and forth in a conducting material. This is known as an alternating current (AC).
At a power station, the coal is used to heat up water which produces steam.
The pressure built from the steam is used to spin large turbines.
The spinning turbines are attached to large magnets that are wrapped in a conductive material.
The conductive material wrapped around a spinning magnet allows electrons to move back and forth to create electricity.
The conductive material is connected to our energy grid and allows us to watch TV, Charge our phones, use our computers and the list goes on.
I developed an interest in the Australian energy and construction sectors more than a decade ago and have since closely followed the trends, technologies and developments shaping both industries. My involvement in the Australian solar market began in 2008, and over the years I have built strong connections with professionals, businesses and organisations across the construction, solar and renewable energy sectors in Australia and internationally. These connections include solar panel and inverter manufacturers, electrical and construction industry professionals, software developers creating tools to quote, monitor and manage solar power systems, and media organisations that closely follow developments across energy, construction and renewable technologies. Today, I continue to contribute as an industry advocate, author and commentator, sharing practical insights and information to help Australian consumers and businesses better understand solar power, energy technologies, construction-related developments and the changing Australian energy landscape.
