ENERGY

3. How is energy transmitted/ transported in your country?

As we already stated when answering question number 1, the main energy sources in Spain are coal, oil and natural gas; now we are going to explain how they are transported: The fact that coal is a robust and solid material allows it to be transported by truck or train; and due to its volume, its production centres and those where it is used are usuallynearby. Given that oil is a viscous, thick substance the best way to transport it is through pipelines and large oil tankers. The centres for processing it (refineries and power plants) are usually found near the coast to lower transport costs across our country and reduce its potential risks. Natural gas is transported in a gaseous state through pipelines or in a liquid state using the large ships called tankers. Whatever the source of the primary energy is, energy transport in Spain occurs through the Spanish Electricity Network. The method of its transportation is as follows: Electrical power is generated at the different stations (thermal, nuclear, solar,hydro, etc ...), where a transformer will convert a high voltage electrical current(500,000 V). It is transported throughout the country via high voltage cables. In the distribution stations, new electrical transformers convert it into medium voltage (10,000 to 30,000 V) and low voltage (110 - 220 V) electricity. Later it is distributed to the industries, factories, cities, etc ... It is used in our houses when we turn on a light, the television, computers, etc ... and of course in the factories, the street lights ...