SELF REFLECTION

LESSON 6: Clean and Sustainable Energy

The transmission of energy at high voltages is an essential part of today's electrical

infrastructure. Electrical energy is typically generated at power plants and then delivered to
consumers over vast distances through power lines. High voltage transmission is used to
reduce energy losses over such long distances and to safely move large quantities of energy.
On a basic level, electricity is energy that can be transferred from one point to another.
However, it can be easily lost over long distances. To minimize energy losses when transmitting
electricity, power lines must be kept as short as possible and adequate insulation should be
used.

At a power plant, the electricity is generated in the form of direct current (DC) or
alternating current (AC). Different voltages are used for different purposes, and it makes sense
to use the highest possible voltage for the transmission of electricity. This is because the higher
the voltage, the lower the losses that result from heating up the power lines. Even when using
the highest possible voltage, energy losses still occur due to line resistance. To reduce these
losses, electricity is transmitted at high voltages — typically between 500 and 1,000 kilovolt-
ampere (kVA). Using high voltages also allows electricity to be delivered to its destination with
greater safety. The power lines have less load compared to lower voltage lines and so the risk
of electrical shock is reduced. Furthermore, high voltage transmission lines can create an
electrical field around the power line, which can help keep the power lines insulated and thus,
the current will remain on its specified course.

In order to transmit electricity at high voltages, special transformers are used. These
transformers are responsible for converting the voltage from its generated level to the level that
is suitable for transmission. They also help to protect the equipment from overvoltage
conditions. High-voltage transformers can also help protect against power disturbances and
voltage spikes, which can damage sensitive equipment.

With the continuous growth of electricity demand from the ever-emerging technological
era, the need for efficient transmission and distribution of energy through power lines is
becoming increasingly important. High-voltage transmission lines are an essential part of this
infrastructure and are the best solution for distributing large amounts of electricity securely and
without excessive losses.