Atoms to Electric Current

WHAT IS ELECTRICITY? Metallic materials – silver,

copper, or aluminum contain
Electricity is a natural phenomenon and one of our most
numerous free electrons
widely used forms of energy. A secondary energy source, Atom capable of carrying an
electricity is generated from the conversion of primary
electric current and are called
sources of energy like coal, natural gas, oil, nuclear power,
conductors. Nonmetallic
hydropower and other natural resources. Electron materials – rubber, plastic,
But, what is electricity? Where does it come from? How does cloth, glass, and dry air,
it work? To get to the heart of the matter you must literally get which contain few free
to the heart of matter – the atom. electrons, are called
In a piece of wire, electrons have insulators and have very
passed from atom to atom creating
an electrical current. high resistance. That is why
ATOMIC STRUCTURE OF MATTER rubber is used to cover the
All matter is made up of atoms which are made up of smaller wires of an electric cord. The more free electrons a material
particles – protons, neutrons and electrons. The nucleus, or contains, the better it will conduct electricity.
center, of the atom contains the neutrons and protons and the
electrons spin around the nucleus somewhat like the moon ELECTRIC CURRENT
spins around earth. The electrons contain a negative charge,
protons a positive charge and neutrons are neutral. They have Free electrons are ordinarily in a state of chaotic motion.
neither a positive or a negative charge. However, when an electromotive force (or voltage) is applied,
such as that provided by a battery or electric power plant
generator, the free electrons in the conductor are guided in an
orderly fashion, atom to atom, creating an electric current.
Nucleus

Electric current is measured in Amperes and is the amount

Electrons of electrons passing a given point in one second. Voltage is
a measure of potential difference, the electromotive force
necessary to move electrons through conductors. The amount
of electric current moved through a conductor by the voltage is
influenced by the conductor’s resistance.
Protons
Neutrons
Electric power, the work performed by moving electrons
Atoms have specific numbers of electrons, protons and neutrons. (electric current) is measured in Watts, and is determined by
multiplying the current by the voltage:
An ion is an atom that has become electrically unbalanced by
the loss or gain of one or more electrons. An atom that loses 1 Watt = 1 Amp x 1 Volt
electrons has more protons and so is positively charged and is
called a cation. An atom that gains electrons has fewer protons Because of the relationship between electric current and
and so is negatively charged and is called an anion. The voltage to perform work, the same amount of work can be
process of producing ions is called ionization. performed with either a high current and low voltage or a low
current and high voltage.
ELECTRONS, CONDUCTORS AND INSULATORS
Electrons can be made to move from one atom to another in
a flow. One electron is attached and another electron is lost.
When those electrons move between the atoms, a current of
electricity is created. In a piece of wire the electrons are passed
from atom to atom, creating an electric current from one end
to the other. Electrons are very, very small. A single copper
penny contains more than 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000
(1x1022) electrons.
 Electric Circuits

RESISTANCE Current refers to the movement of charges. In an electric

circuit – electrons move from the negative pole to the positive.
Electricity flows or moves through some materials better
If you connect the positive pole of a voltage source to the
than others. The opposition to the flow of free electrons in a
negative pole you create a circuit. This charge changes into
material is called resistance.
electrical energy when the poles are connected in a circuit.
Resistance in wire depends on how thick and how long it is This is similar to connecting the two poles on opposite ends of
and what it is made of. The size of wire is called its gauge. The a battery.
smaller the gauge number, the bigger around the wire. A gauge
Along the circuit you can have a light bulb and an on - off
one wire is bigger around than a gauge 12 wire.
switch. The light bulb changes the electrical energy into light
Different types of metal, used to make wire, have a different and heat energy.
resistance. For example you can have gold, copper, aluminum,
If the electricity is able
even steel wire. The lower the resistance of a wire the better
to flow completely
it conducts electricity. Copper is used in many wires because
through the circuit, it
its resistance is lower than most other metals. The wires in the
is said to be a closed
walls of your house and inside lamps are probably copper.
circuit. If the electricity
A piece of metal can be made to act like a heater. When an is unable to flow
electric current occurs, the resistance causes friction and the completely through the Simple Circuit

friction causes heat. The higher the resistance, the hotter it can circuit, it is said to be an open circuit.
get. So, a coiled wire high in resistance, like the wire in a hair
There are two basic circuits
dryer, electric heater or toaster can be very hot.
electricity flows through –
series or parallel circuits.
MAGNETISM AND ELECTRICITY In series circuits all of the
Magnetism and electricity are not two separate matters. In fact, electrical components are
whenever an electric current flows, a magnetic field is created, connected to each other in
and whenever a magnet moves, an electric current is produced. a “series.” Then the electric
current has only one path to
Electromagnetism is the way electric currents produce follow, and flows through Series Circuit
magnetic fields. The magnetic field around a straight wire is each component.
weak. A stronger magnetic field is obtained by coiling wire
into a spiraling loop, known as a solenoid. An iron-cored In parallel circuits, the electrical components are connected
solenoid, or electromagnet, has a strong magnetic field because individually to the main electrical circuit. Then the electric
the electrons in the iron align themselves with the magnetic current has more than one path to follow. Parallel circuits
field produced by the current. Electromagnets energize the allow for individual control of each electrical component.
fields of motors and generators, and are part of telephones, Buildings, most appliances, motors, etc., are wired in parallel
loudspeakers, buzzers, electric bells, telegraphs, relays, electric circuits.
meters and many other devices.
Resistor

HOW DOES A CIRCUIT WORK?

An electric circuit is the system by which an electric current is
directed, controlled, switched on or switched off. The primary Resistor

requirement of a circuit is that it forms a complete path.

Electrons must be able to flow through the whole system so
that as many electrons pass back into the source of the current Battery
as leave it. Parallel Circuit
 Generators and Transformers

TURBINES AND GENERATORS An electric generator is a device for converting mechanical

energy into electrical energy. The large generators used by the
An electric utility power plant uses either a turbine, an engine,
electric utility industry have a stationary conductor. A magnet
a water wheel or other similar machine to drive a generator
– a device that converts mechanical or chemical energy to attached to the end of a rotating shaft is positioned inside a
electricity. Steam turbines, internal-combustion engines, gas stationary conducting ring that is Spinning magnets

combustion turbines, water turbines and wind turbines are the wrapped with a long, continuous
most common methods to generate electricity. piece of wire. When the magnet
rotates, it induces a small electric
In North America most electricity is produced in steam current in each section of wire
turbines. The power plants: as it passes. Each section of wire
• burn a fuel that produces heat constitutes a small, separate electric
• the heat boils purified water conductor. All the small currents of
• the boiled water becomes steam individual sections add up to one Coiled wire

• the steam, under high pressure, spins a turbine current of considerable size that is A simplified electric generator
used for electric power.
• the spinning turbine turns a shaft and rotor
• the shaft and rotor turn a magnet inside a generator All power plants have turbines and generators. Some turbines
OR are turned by wind, some by water and some by steam.
• the shaft and rotor turn coiled wires inside a magnet
• the magnet produces an electric current in the wire WHAT IS A TRANSFORMER?
• the wire in the generator converts mechanical, moving One of the most essential electrical devices is the transformer.
energy into electrical energy It is used in power stations to boost voltages for transmission
over power lines and at substations to reduce voltages to levels
Steam in Cool water enters suitable for industrial or home use. Transformers contain two
Condensed water condenser
back to boiler separate wire coils wrapped around an iron core. As electricity
Warmed water
returns to tower flows into the transformer through the first coil it produces
a magnetic field in the iron Primary coil Secondary coil
core. The magnetic field then
induces an electric current in
the second coil which flows
out of the transformer. Oil is
circulated around the coils and Iron core
iron core to insulate and cool
The condenser and the cooling tower the transformer. If the voltage
is to be increased, the second
After the steam spins the turbine, it is cooled and condensed A transformer
coil contains more turns of
back into water in a condenser. It is then circulated back to the the wire than the first coil. If the voltage is to be decreased,
boiler and the process repeats itself. The water used to cool the
the second coil contains fewer turns of the wire than the first
steam inside the condenser is from the power plant’s cooling
system. These systems can be either open- or closed-loop. In an coil. Transformers are also used in many electrical appliances
open-loop system, water is piped in from a lake, river or other such as radios, televisions and battery chargers – wherever
body of water; it cools the steam in the condenser and is piped alternating voltage different from the supply is required.
back out. In a closed-loop system, the cooling water is reused.
One type of closed-loop system uses a cooling tower. Cold
water from the tower is piped through the condenser, back into
the cooling tower where an evaporative process cools the water
and it is piped back to the condenser. The evaporation that takes
place inside the tower creates the huge, billowy, white steam
clouds that some people mistake for smoke.
 Transmission System

TRANSMISSION SYSTEM FUEL MIX

Electricity moves through a complicated transmission system. The combination of energy sources used to generate electricity
Electricity is generated at a voltage of about 25,000 Volts. is referred to as the generation or fuel mix.
Because electricity can be transferred more efficiently at high
voltages, the electricity goes to a transformer located in a step- Several factors influence a utility’s decision to use particular
up substation near the power plant that boosts the Voltage up to fuels to generate electricity. Chief among them are price,
69,000 to 765,000 Volts. The voltage depends on the distance availability and reliability of supply. Government policies
the power will travel and the amount desired. A 765,000 Volt can also influence or dictate fuel choice. For example, in the
transmission line transports about as much electricity as five late 1970s, in the midst of an energy crisis, new utility power
345,000 Volt transmission lines, due to transmission loss of the plants were prohibited from burning natural gas or petroleum
lower voltage system. products. Today, many of the currently planned facilities
are being designed to use natural gas. Future technology
The heavy cables running between high voltage towers are developments or concerns about supply and availability may
made of copper or aluminum because of that metal’s low lead to new changes in our fuel mix.
resistance. The high voltage transmission lines carry the
electricity, at nearly the speed of light, long distances to a
substation.

At the distribution substation, step-down transformers change

the high voltage electricity to lower levels so it can be carried
on smaller cables or distribution lines. In neighborhoods,
another transformer mounted on a pole or in a utility box
converts the power to even lower levels to be used by
residential customers.

In many older areas of a city or town you will see wooden

U.S. Fuel Mix 2017 Georgia Power Fuel Mix 2017
utility poles with power lines running to each house or
business and the small transformer hanging on one of the (Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration and Georgia Power, accessed September 2018)

power poles. However, in some areas of newer construction

the distribution lines may be underground. Underground the
power lines are protected from the weather, which can cause The fuel choice also depends on whether the unit will be
lines to break, and people are protected from the dangers of the used continuously or only during peak usage times, its
overhead lines. It is important though, to remember to ask the environmental impact and necessary environmental controls.
electricity, natural gas and telephone utility companies to mark
their underground lines before digging on your property. Most utilities rely on a variety of fuels to generate electricity.
A varied fuel mix protects the electric company and its
When electricity enters your home it passes through a meter. It customers from unforeseen events such as fuel unavailability,
reads how much electricity is used. Georgia Power customers price fluctuations, and changes in regulatory practices. It also
have been upgraded to Smart Meters which read energy use helps ensure stability and reliability in electricity supply and
remotely. They also show customers how their home is using strengthens national security.
electricity to help manage energy costs.

Transmission lines
Step-down
transformer Distribution lines
Power plant
Step-up
transformer

Consumer
Transformer
 Using Renewable Energy Sources

RENEWABLE ENERGY still providing low-cost, clean renewable energy to customers

today! The Company currently operates approximately 1,100
Georgia Power and Southern Company are paving the way in MW of hydroelectric generating facilities.
making Georgia a national leader in renewable energy. Energy
is considered “renewable,” when it is produced by resources
Solar
such as hydro, biomass, landfill gas, wind and solar. Usually,
for each kW of renewable energy that is produced, the owner Georgia Power currently has about 970 MW of solar resources
of that resource receives a “renewable energy credit” (REC). online, creating one of the largest voluntary solar portfolios
of an investor-owned utility operating without a renewable
During the past 10 years, more and more electricity is sourced portfolio standard. Most of Georgia Power’s solar resources
from these types of generators. Georgia Power’s customers are procured, which means that the Company purchases the
benefit from the development of renewable energy because it energy produced by a solar facility owned by someone else,
can be low cost, it adds variety to our fuel mix and it produces through a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA). Most
low or no carbon, which means it’s good for the environment of these PPAs happen through a competitive bidding process,
too. Currently, Georgia Power has more than 2,600 megawatts or at contracted prices designed to prevent upward pressure on
(MW) of renewable generation. This means that about 12 rates.
percent of power plants that serve Georgia Power customers
are renewables. We expect this number to continue to grow Also as part of Georgia Power’s solar portfolio, the Company
each year and by 2023, the Company expects to have greater owns a fleet of solar generating facilities either online or
than 4,200 MW of renewable generation. under construction across the state. By the end of 2020, the
Company will have 19 solar generating facilities delivering
Georgia Power offers a variety of renewable energy programs energy to Georgians. This includes energy from research
for both residential and business customers that want to install, and demonstration facilities, where the Company is studying
procure or promote the development of additional renewable different types of solar technologies and applications. The
resources. Visit georgiapower.com/solar to find out more. knowledge gained from these projects will inform the
Company as it plans for how it will meet customers’ future
Biomass energy needs.
Biomass facilities usually produce energy by low-grade wood In addition to the Company’s solar procurement and
waste like woodchips, wood pellets and tree limbs resulting generation, Georgia Power has a variety of on-site installation
from tree-thinning activities. Agricultural crops, crop residues guidance and renewable energy purchasing programs for
and farm animal wastes are also forms of biomass that can be customers.
converted to energy. Currently, Georgia Power has more than
330 MW of power purchase agreements with various Biomass
Wind
Proxy Qualified Facilities, some under contract for more than
30 years. Georgia Power purchases energy sourced from 250 MW of
Oklahoma-based Blue Canyon wind farms. Also, Georgia
Landfill Gas Power continues to partner with Southern Company to better
understand if enough energy can be generated from wind
Landfill gas is a type of biomass energy categorized as “waste off the coast of Georgia, or at different altitudes and with
energy.” The process of decomposition — when organic different wind turbine sizes to overcome the higher costs of
material is broken down by microorganisms — generates this generation type. Currently, Georgia Power is engaged in
methane gas, a greenhouse gas that can be hazardous. both Small Wind and High Wind research projects to study
Georgia Power has contracts with landfill gas projects totaling feasibility, costs and long-term viability for these types of wind
approximately 25 MW. technologies in Georgia.

Hydro
Flowing water, referred to as hydropower, is the most widely
used renewable energy source in the world. Many people are
surprised to learn that since Georgia Power was founded it has
relied heavily upon this renewable energy resource, which is
 Distribution and Management

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION MRO - Midwest Reliability Organization

Since electricity cannot be stored or easily transported over FRCC - Florida Reliability Coordinating Council
long distances, the geographic distribution of power plants is NPCC - Northeast Power Coordinating Council (U.S)
very important. The bulk power system is composed of three RF - ReliabilityFirst
major networks, or power grids, that extend through the U.S.
into Canada and Mexico: the Eastern Interconnected System, SERC - Southeastern Electric Reliability Council
the Western Interconnected System and the Texas Interconnected TRE - Texas Reliability Entity
System. These networks provide electric utilities with alternative WECC - Western Electricity Coordinating Council (U.S.)
power paths in emergencies and allow them to buy and sell
power from each other and from other power suppliers. LOAD MANAGEMENT
Load management is the balancing of electricity supply and
demand, and involves the control of electrical consumption.
Because electric power cannot be stored easily or
economically, utilities and other electricity suppliers must have
enough generation facilities available to meet the maximum
demand on their systems, whenever that occurs. Otherwise
Eastern power shortages or brownouts occur.
Interconnected
System Demand for electricity usually peaks on summer weekday
Western afternoons, when air conditioners are in high use. In the winter,
Interconnected Texas mornings and evenings are peak demand periods as lights and
System Interconnected
System
furnaces are switched on. Throughout all seasons, weekends
tend to have the lowest demand for electricity as factories
The structure of the grid makes reliability possible. But and business offices are closed. The variation in demand
what makes it a reality is the coordination in operations of constitutes a load or demand curve.
the electric companies that make up this network. For the
To ensure that there is enough electricity available to meet
electric power grid to work smoothly and without disruption, a
customer demand, some plants work around the clock,
transmission operation must be aware of more than the power
allowing utilities and other power providers to generate a
flowing over its own system created by its own generators and
steady supply of electricity equal to the demand of their
the electricity demand of its customers. It must also be aware
customers. Typically, companies use coal, natural gas, hydro,
of the transfers of power between other systems and how those
or nuclear based plants to provide this continuous service
transfers might flow through its own system.
because they are cheaper to run for prolonged periods.
To coordinate power flow, control areas have been formed.
Pumped storage hydro, gas or oil based and renewable (wind
Control areas, consisting of one or several transmission
and solar) units are usually the units of choice for providing
operators, ensure that there is always a balance between
service for the hours of the day when demand hits its highest
electrical generation and the amount of electricity needed
levels or peak. These units may be started and stopped quickly,
at any given moment to meet demand. Operators use
unlike coal and nuclear based plants. When used to meet peak
computerized systems to exercise minute-by-minute control
demand, higher fuel costs do not have such a great impact
over the network and ensure that power transfers occur during
because the plants are used for only a few hours at a time.
specified times in pre-arranged amounts.

Providing oversight for these transfers are seven regional

groups that form the North American Electric Reliability
Council (NERC) whose members include electric utilities and
market participants from all segments of the industry across
the U.S., Canada and the northern portion of Mexico. NERC
helps utilities work together to comply with standards and
guidelines for system-wide reliability.
 Efficiency and Safety

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND USE ELECTRIC SAFETY

For over 100 years, electricity has made our homes more Electricity, when used properly, is a safe and convenient form
comfortable and enjoyable, and our industries more of energy, but when used improperly electricity can cause fires,
productive. Today, electricity is powering a new world of shocks, injuries and even death. The following safety tips will
electronics – computers, TVs, CDs, DVDs, video games. help you avoid electrical accidents:
To generate this electricity, the nation’s power plants rely on
finite natural resources such as coal and natural gas, as well as • Be careful with electrical
renewable energy sources such as water and wind. Using these cords – do not place cords
energy sources does have an impact on the environment. It is where people will trip over
important, therefore, to use electricity as efficiently as possible. them or where they will
This will help to protect our environment and preserve our receive excessive wear; keep
natural resources. Using electricity wisely will also help you cords away from heat and
save money in your home and business, and it will keep our water; do not pull on cords
nation’s electricity supply more reliable. to disconnect them, pull on
the plug; and do not twist,
Appliances and lighting consume roughly half of the electricity kink or crush cords.
produced in the United States. An older refrigerator alone can • Never use an appliance while standing in water or when
cost $300 per year to run. Improving the energy efficiency of wet.
appliances is an important step toward conserving resources. • Keep combustible materials away from lamps or heating
devices.
When buying home appliances, it is important to check the
energy efficiency rating. Purchase the right size appliance for • Disconnect appliances before cleaning.
your needs. Oversized appliances consume more electricity • Keep ladders away from electric power lines.
and undersized appliances will have to work harder and thus, • Turn off circuits when changing light bulbs.
consume more electricity. Compare the wattage of appliances. • In case of an electrical fire, call the fire department; unplug
Wattage will inform you how much electricity the appliance appliance if safe; use fire extinguisher or baking soda,
will consume. Also be sure to turn off lights and other never use water.
electrical appliances when you are not using them.
• Never touch broken electric lines. Call police and the
electric company immediately.
• Never attempt to remove a kite from an electric power line
and be aware of the location of electric power lines when
flying kites.
• When climbing trees, be sure that electric power lines don’t
touch the tree; if they do, DO NOT climb the tree.

EnergyGuide Label
 Careers in Energy
Electrical Line Worker: Assist with or on construction sites and support projects Maintenance Technical Skilled
construction and maintenance activities at our business units, depending on our personnel are specialists on the mechanical,
associated with overhead and underground needs. Some examples are retrofitting electrical and instrument and controls
power distribution systems, including plants with modern environmental systems in the plant. They are responsible
operating all equipment. This position controls and planning and design for the for all the equipment in the plant. They plan
works outdoors year-round, in all types construction of new nuclear plants. and document daily work assignments
of weather and requires climbing tall for preventative maintenance, perform
concrete, steel, and wood structures. Engineering Representative/ troubleshooting and repair the systems.
Technician: Day-to-day engineering
Engineering: Opportunities at Georgia activities related to new service delivery For more information, visit georgiapower.
Power exist at our power generating throughout the service territory assigned. com/company/careers/cool-jobs-
plants, distribution and transmission Be a champion of our safety vision. The in-industry/cool-careers.html.
units and our corporate offices. At our primary responsibility in this position
generating plants, engineers are involved will be managing multiple projects for
in the maintenance, operation and design residential, commercial, and industrial new
of fossil fuel, hydro or nuclear plants. business customers. Candidate must be
Distribution and transmission cover all able to prepare and schedule construction
power lines and substations between the of jobs to meet committed service dates.
power generating plant and your home or The engineering representative is expected
business. Here, engineers study and design to balance the customer’s needs against
the expansion of our line and substation company goals and produce designs that
system to meet future demand. They also effectively meet both. The engineering
consult with customers on our products representative must also be an exceptional
and services and propose solutions that communicator and use those skills to
best serve them. Our corporate engineers help ensure customer satisfaction.
work at corporate offices, in the field and/

ABOUT NATIONAL ENERGY FOUNDATION ABOUT GEORGIA POWER

The National Energy Foundation (NEF) is a unique Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern
501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization dedicated to Company (NYSE: SO), America’s premier energy company.
the development, dissemination and implementation of Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are
supplementary educational materials and programs the cornerstones of the company’s promise to 2.5 million
relating to energy. customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties.
Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable
energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power
maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes
nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as
learningpower.org solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on
delivering world-class service to its customers every day and
the company is consistently recognized by J.D. Power and
Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For
more information, visit georgiapower.com and connect with
the company on Facebook (facebook.com/georgiapower,
® Twitter (twitter.com/georgiapower) and Instagram
cultivating energy literacy
(instagram.com/ga_power).
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