IMPORTANCE OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY

As the Law of Conservation of Energy states, Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be transformed or transferred from one form to another. We need energy in various forms such as heat, light, sound etc. and Electrical Energy is one form of energy which can be converted into any form of energy. This gives Electrical Energy an important place in the world. The running of the modern industrial structure and domestic infrastructure is so much dependent on low cost and uninterrupted supply of quality Electricity that we cannot imagine a moment without the same.

The advantages of Electrical Energy over other forms of energy are as follows :

Convenience : Electrical Energy can be converted easily into any other form. For example, a bulb glows (light energy) when electricity passes through it or an immersion coil provides heat (heat energy) when electricity passes through it

Easy Control : Machines which works on Electricity can be easily controlled with the help of devices such as Switches, Voltage Controllers, Regulators etc..

Flexibility : Electricity can be transmitted across territories easily by using conductors. For example, we get electricity at our homes from the Electricity generated at various hydro power stations situated far away from our homes

Cheapness : Cost of production and availability of Electrical Energy is much cheaper to other forms of energy

Cleanliness : Electrical Energy does not have any associated polluting factors such as smoke, dust, fumes, poisonous gases etc. and offers a healthy atmosphere

ELECTRICAL POWER SUPPLY – STAGES

There are three stages of Electric power supply; Generation, Transmission & Distribution. Each of these stages involves distinct product processes, work activities and hazards.

Electricity Generation

This is the first step in the Electricity supply chain. Electricity generation is the process of generating electrical power from other sources of primary energy.

Electricity is most often generated at power stations by electro mechanical generators, primarily driven by heat engines. These heat engines are fuelled by chemical combustion, nuclear fission, kinetic energy of flowing water or by wind.

Electricity Transmission

Electrical Power Transmission is the bulk transfer of Electrical Energy using Transmission lines, from power stations to electrical sub-stations located near demand centres. Transmission lines are constructed between power stations and sub-stations and may be supported overhead on towers or they may be underground. They are operated at high voltages and send out large amounts of electrical power and extend over considerable distances.

Energy is normally transmitted from power stations by stepping up the voltages, to reduce the energy loss in the long-distance transmission. However transformers situated in transmission sub-stations located in the operating area reduce the transmitted voltage to desired level. This power is then carried through lines to the distribution systems located in the local service territory.

Electricity Distribution

Electricity distribution is the final and the most crucial link in the electricity supply chain. A distribution system's network carries electricity from the transmission system and delivers it to consumers. Typically, the network would include medium-voltage power lines, sub-stations and pole-mounted transformers, low-voltage distribution wiring and sometimes meters.

Distribution networks are typically of two types, radial or interconnected (spot). A radial network leaves the station and passes through the network area with no normal connection to any other supply. This is typical of long rural lines with isolated load areas. An interconnected (spot) network is generally found more in urban areas and will have multiple connections to other points of supply.

Energy / Electricity Saving Tips

Lighting :

• Take advantage of daylight by using light-colored, loose-weave curtains on your windows to allow daylight to penetrate the room. Also, decorating room with lighter colors that reflect daylight will reduce the need of lights / tubes.
• De-dust lighting fixtures to maintain illumination
• Use task lighting; instead of brightly lighting an entire room focus the light in the are where it is required
• Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) bulbs are four times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs and provide the same lighting
• Use electronic chokes in place of conventional copper chokes reduces Electricity consumption

Fans :

• Replace conventional regulators with electronic regulators for ceiling fans
• Install exhaust fans at a higher elevation than ceiling fans.

Electric iron

• Select iron boxes with automatic temperature cut-off
• Use appropriate regulator position for ironing
• Do not put more water on clothes while ironing
• Do not iron wet clothes

Kitchen Appliances  
Mixer

• Avoid dry grinding in your food processors (mixers and grinders) as it takes longer time than liquid grinding

Microwaves ovens

• Consumes 50 % less energy than conventional electric / gas stoves
• Do not bake large food items
• Unless you're baking breads or pastries, you may not even need to preheat
• Don't open the oven door too often to check food condition as each opening leads to a temperature drop of 25°C

Electric stove

•  Turn off electric stoves several minutes before the specified cooking time
• Use flat-bottomed pans that make full contact with the cooking coil

Gas stove

• When cooking on a gas burner, use moderate flame settings to conserve LPG
• Remember that a blue flame means your gas stove is operating efficiently
• Yellowish flame is an indicator that the burner needs cleaning
• Use pressure cookers as much as possible
• Use lids to cover the pans while cooking
• Bring items taken out of refrigerators (like vegetables, milk etc) to room temperature before placing on the gas stove for heating 
• Use Solar Water Heater – a good replacement for a electric water heater

Electronic Devices

• Do not switch on the power when TV and Audio Systems are not in use i.e. idle operation leads to an energy loss of 10 watts/device 

Computers 

• Turn off your home office equipment when not in use. A computer that runs 24 hours a day, for instance, uses - more power than an energy-efficient refrigerator.
• If your computer must be left on, turn off the monitor; this device alone uses more than half the system's energy.
• Setting computers, monitors, and copiers to use sleep-mode when not in use helps cut energy costs by approximately 40%.
• Battery chargers, such as those for laptops, cell phones and digital cameras, draw power whenever they are plugged in and are very inefficient. Pull the plug and save.

Refrigerator 

• Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers; frost build-up increases the amount of energy needed to keep the motor running.
• Leave enough space between your refrigerator and the walls so that air can easily circulate around the refrigerator
• Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold.
• Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight
• Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
• Do not open the doors of the refrigerators frequently
• Don't leave the fridge door open for longer than necessary, as cold air will escape.
• Use smaller cabinets for storing frequently used items
• Avoid putting hot or warm food straight into the fridge

Washing machines 

• Always wash only with full loads
• Use optimal quantity of water
• Use timer facility to save energy
• Use the correct amount of detergent
• Use hot water only for very dirty clothes
• Always use cold water in the rinse cycle
• Prefer natural drying over electric dryers

Air Conditioners

• Prefer air conditioners having automatic temperature cut off
• Keep regulators at “low cool” position
• Operate the ceiling fan in conjunction with your window air conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively throughout the room and operate the air conditioner at higher temperature
• Seal the doors and windows properly
• Leave enough space between your air conditioner and the walls to allow better air circulation
• A roof garden can reduce the load on Air Conditioner
• Use windows with sun films/curtains
• Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower will be energy consumption.
• Don't set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling.
• Don't place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
• Plant trees or shrubs to shade air-conditioning units but not to block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun. 
  PLEASE FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO ENSURE A BETTER FUTURE