How It Works: Electricity Generation Reading Assignment

The electricity that we use in our homes comes from a wide variety of sources. Today you will be reading and investigating some of these sources. As you read complete the following questions on a separate sheet of paper. Your answers will be your class notes about electricity generation so write detailed answers and use full sentences.

Before you read

  1. Who is this material published by?
  2. How could you learn more about this company?
  3. Could there be bias in this material?

During reading

Electricity in Ontario

  1. Copy the pie chart down indicating the mix of Ontario Electricity Generation for 2008
  2. Where are most of Ontario’s electricity generating stations? Why are they located there?

Generating Power

  1. Draw a flow chart to explain in general how power plants transform kinetic energy into electricity. Include a simple diagram to support your flow chart

Understanding Power Demand

  1. What is one issue with generating electricity that is identified in this section? Why is this an issue?

Baseload vs. Peak Demand

  1. Define Baseload. Define Peak Demand.
  2. What type of fuel generation does Ontario use to meet sharp increases in electricity demand? Why would they use this type of electricity generation to meet these demands?

Read pg 5-12 in the book and answer the following questions

Nuclear Power

  1. Draw a simple diagram of a nuclear generating station. Label all of the important parts.
  2. In your own words, summarize how electricity is generated in a nuclear generating station.
  3. Based on your reading and the video watched in class, what are three positive aspects of nuclear power generation?
  4. What is the main challenge identified in this book about nuclear power generation. Explain how nuclear plants handle this challenge.
  5. What is the name of one nuclear power generating station in Ontario?

Hydroelectric Power

  1. Draw a simple diagram of a hydroelectric generating station. Label all of the important parts.
  2. In your own words, summarize how electricity is generated in a hydroelectric generating station.
  3. Based on your reading and the video watched in class, what are three positive aspects of hydroelectric power generation?
  4. What is one issue surrounding electricity generation from hydroelectricity in Ontario?
  5. What is the name of one hydroelectric power generating station in Ontario?

Fossil-Fuelled Power

  1. What are the three types of generating stations that use fossil fuels?
  2. Draw a simple diagram of a coal-fired generating station. Label all of the important parts.
  3. In your own words, summarize how electricity is generated in a coal-fired generating station.
  4. Based on your reading and the video watched in class, what is the advantage of fossil-fuelled power plants compared to other types of power plants?
  5. What is the major issue surrounding electricity generation from fossil fuels?
  6. What is the name of one fossil-fuelled power generating station in Ontario?

Biomass Energy

  1. What is biomass energy?
  2. What does it mean when the book states that biomass is considered carbon neutral?
  3. List the three environmental benefits of biomass fuels.

Wind Power

  1. In your own words, summarize how electricity is generated by wind turbines.
  2. What does the amount of electricity produced by a wind turbine depend upon?
  3. Identify one issue surrounding wind turbines.
  4. Based on how wind turbines work, what do you think are two positive aspects of wind power generation?