User:Baldry27/sandbox

= Centralised Generation = Centralised Power Generation’ refers to electricity generation through large-scale centralised facilities. These facilities are usually located far away from consumers and distribute the electricity through high voltage transmission lines to a substation where it is then distributed to consumers. The Vast majority of electricity used in Australia as well as the United States is created from Centralised Generation. Most Centralised Power Generation comes from large power plants run by fossil fuels such as coal or gas. Nuclear or large hydro plants are also commonly used.

Centralised Generation is fundamentally the opposite of Distributed Generation. Distributed Generation is the small-scale generation of electricity to far less consumers. This can also include independently producing electricity by either solar or wind.

History
In the 1880’s the popularity of electricity grew massively with the introduction of the light bulb. The popularity of this new invention along with a general increase in electricity use led to electrical utility companies quickly being formed. The earliest distribution of electricity came from companies operating independently of one another. A consumer would purchase electricity from a producer, and the producer would distribute it through their own power grid. Throughout the middle of the 20th century many utilities began merging their distribution networks due to economic and efficiency benefits. This also led to the coordination of power plants by regional system operators to ensure stability and reliability.

Features
The total amount of electricity used fluctuates with dependants such as time of the day and the weather. When demand varies operators must vary total output from the power plants. This is usually done through collaboration with other power plants thus keeping on power grid in an equilibrium. This adds a complication for the entire grid as there cannot be a surplus or shortage of electricity in the grid. Although confusing and often inefficient, Centralised generation is the most popular way of energy production and distribution in the world. The three major aspects of Centralised Generation are; Generation, Transmission and Distribution.

Generation
Electricity is generated throughout the world in many ways using a variety of resources. The three most common resources used are natural gas, nuclear and coal. However, renewable sources of electricity are quickly growing. Often utilities sell only the electricity in which they produce but sometimes they may need to purchase more electricity directly from producers or from a wholesale retailer, usually organised by a regional transmission reliability organisation. It is necessary for utilities to produce electricity far away from consumers as the plants are often incredibly large and release extensive greenhouse gasses. Thus, there is a major process of transporting electricity from the generation plants to consumers.

Transmission
The electricity that is generated by the utilities is distributed to consumers through transmission lines. High voltage transmission lines such as the ones hung by large metal frames can carry high voltage electricity to consumers over long distances. High voltage electricity is far more efficient for travel as less electricity is lost through the lines in its long journey. High voltage (between 69 kV and 138 kV) and ultra-high voltage (from 345 kV to 800 kV) are used for the transmission of bulk electric power either directly to large consumers or to substations. This electricity is eventually sent to substations. These substations can either reduce the voltage so that it can be used by consumers or increase voltage to aid in further travel.

Distribution
Finally, the electricity will travel form substations through distribution lines directly to homes and businesses. Distribution lines are the commonly seen overhead power lines usually containing low voltage (less than 1000 volts) through 2 or 3 lines. However, Medium voltage lines (between 1000 volts and 69kV) are often used for distribution between rural and urban areas. In many urban areas the power lines are placed underground to save space.

Centralised Generation vs Distributed Generation
Centralised Generation vs Distributed generation is an argument that has recently surfaced, with many citing that Centralised Generation is a way of the past and that Distributed Generation is the future of electricity production. Distributed Generation is the process of small-scale production of electricity often by individuals having their own way of producing energy that they then use. Distributed energy is usually described as using environmentally sustainable practices such as solar or wind opposed to nuclear, gas or coal. An example of this would be solar panels on one’s house or a small local energy producer. Distributed energy is usually seen as far better for the environment as it does not use large combustion or nuclear power plants to produce energy. It also does not rely on a network of power grids that can often be unreliable and leave many without power. Over the past few years many there has been a major increase in the use of Distributed Generation as many governments are promoting the use of this technology through subsidies as a way of reducing greenhouse emissions.