BULAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOLS
SCIENCE 9 (Quarter 4)
LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET (LAS) No. 8
Name of the Student: ______________________________ Date:
_____________
Grade Level & Section: ____________________________ Week No. __________
MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCY (MELC):
Explain how electrical energy is generated, transmitted, and distributed. (S9FE –IVh-
j-46)
Generation, transmission and distribution of electrical energy
How is electricity produced?
Electricity powers all our gadgets and appliances at home. Have you ever wondered
how electricity reaches us from the electric power plant? What processes does electricity
have to go through in order to reach us at home? Various sources of energy are utilized to
provide electricity to power our households. For example, the tremendous energy produced
by falling water is used by water turbines to rotate large generators at a hydroelectric power
plant. As the water falls from the reservoir, its kinetic energy increases and it flows very
fast. The falling stream of water turns a fan-like device called a turbine, which is connected
to the generator’s shaft. The rotation of the shaft turns powerful electromagnets that are
surrounded by the coil of copper wires. The coil is connected to a step-up transformer that
sends high voltage current to power lines. Other sources of energy at power plants include
steam from burning fossil fuels, nuclear reactions, wind and ocean tides. Each source
provides the energy of motion to turbines then to the generators, producing electrical
energy.
Power plants, in general, use generators to convert kinetic energy into electrical
energy. One specific source, however, uses solar panels made of photovoltaic cells to
convert sunlight into electrical energy instead of turbines. Electric generators are devices
which convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. This is possible due to the interaction
between a changing magnetic field and a conductor inside the generator assembly. A
steady magnet and a conductor at rest cannot produce electric current. Either the magnet
or the conductor should be in motion in order to induce current. Michael Faraday is known
for his work on electricity and magnetism in 1821 using an iron ring – coil apparatus. His
work paved the way for more advanced discoveries on electromagnetism. Can you explain
how other power plants work? How is electricity transmitted and distributed? From the
power plants, electricity is then made to travel along cables and wires called transmission
lines. These lines are commonly put up between transmission substations which are
regulated by the National Power Corporation. Transmission lines may either be constructed
overhead on towers or they may be underground. They are operated at high voltages, send
out large amounts of electrical power and extend over considerable distances. From the
generating station, the transmission substations step up the voltage to a range of 138,000 –
765,000 volts. Within the operating area, transmission substations reduce (step down) the
transmitted voltage to 34,500 – 138,000 volts. This power is then carried through lines to
the distribution systems located in the local service area. The distribution system connects
the transmission system to the customer’s household. SORECO is in charge of electrical
energy distribution in Sorsogon. The distribution substations further step down the voltage
to 2,400 – 19, 920 volts. A step-down transformer further reduces the voltage to 220 V – the
standard AC voltage in the Philippines. This voltage powers most of the electrical
appliances we have at home
ACTIVITY 1.
Study the following images and complete their label. Then, write the letter on the first
column of the table according to how you think electricity is generated, transmitted, and
distributed. You may use the descriptions in the second column to decide which picture
should be on it.
Figure 1. Components of an electric grid
A B C D
E F G
Image Description
1. Steam is generated in the power plant by the burning of fossil fuels or
by nuclear fission or geothermal energy. Fuel is burned in the boiler.
2. The steam powers a turbine which spins a huge magnet inside a
copper wire. Heat is converted to mechanical energy, which is then
converted to electrical energy by the generator.
3. Electricity flows form the power plant through wires to a transmission
substation where a step-up transformer raises the voltage so it can
travel long distances – it is raised to as high as 765, 000 volts.
4. Electricity then travels long distances through transmission lines.
Transmission lines may either be constructed overhead on towers or
they may be underground.
5. Electricity then reaches the distribution substations where step down
transformers reduce the voltage to 34, 500 – 138, 000 volts. More
distribution substations further step down the voltage to 2, 400 – 19,
920 volts.
6. Electricity is then taken through the lines to a pole transformer – or a
transformer box if underground – and voltage is lowered again to 120 or
220 or 240 volts.
7. From there, electricity comes into your home through a service box,
where your meter is located to measure how much you use. Wires take
electricity around your home, powering your lights and all your other
electrical appliances.
Answer the following questions:
1. What are the different stations in the transmission of energy?
_____________________________________________________________________
2. What do you notice about the size of transmission lines as it reaches the consumers?
_____________________________________________________________________
3. Does the size of wires and cables used matter in energy transmission?
_____________________________________________________________________
4. What happens to the voltage that travels from the source to the consumers?
_____________________________________________________________________
5. What is the function of a transformer?
_____________________________________________________________________
Rubrics:
REFLECTION:
After every typhoon, some areas in your barangay already have power, while other areas
still do not have power. How would you explain this to your family members?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
References
Science 9 Learner’s Module pages 328-330
Science 9 Teacher’s Module pages 218-220
J.M.K.C. Donev et al. (2020). Energy Education – Electrical grid [Online]. Available:
https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Electrical_grid. [Accessed: May 6, 2021].
Prepared by:
APRIL R. GERSALIA MANELYN GOSIM HELEN G. GLINA CLARISSA FAJARDO
Noted by: Approved:
WELIMEN C. OSEO SALVE E. FERRERAS
Head Teacher VI Principal III
