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Gas Power

Key Stage 3

Meaning

Gas Power is the use of Natural Gas to generate electricity.

About Natural Gas

Natural Gas is a non-renewable energy resource.
Natural Gas has energy in its chemical potential energy store which can be transferred into a thermal energy store by combustion.

Gas Power

Natural Gas can be used to provide power directly buy burning it in homes and in furnaces or it can provide power by generating electricity.
NaturalGasPowerStationDiagram2.png
A diagram of a gas power station.
1. Natural Gas is burned in a furnace.
2. Water is heated in a boiler by the burning gas.
3. Water turns to steam and passes down pipes to turn a turbine.
4. The turbine causes a generator to spin.
5. The generator makes an electrical current.

Advantages

  • Can work continuously.
  • Power supply can be varied quickly depending on demand.
  • Few power stations needed to supply a large number of houses.

Disadvantages

  • Cost of fuel.
  • Produce Carbon Dioxide contributing to global warming.
  • Other pollutants produced which can harm health or produce acid rain.
  • Natural Gas will run out.