Department of Education

National Capital Region

Schools Division of Parañaque City
Self – Learning Module
Science 9 Quarter 4 Week 7
Generation, Transmission, and Distribution of Electrical Energy

Learning Competency (Essential Competency)

The learners should be able to explain how electrical energy is generated,

transmitted, and distributed (S9FE-IVh-j-46)

Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to:

• Explain how electrical energy reaches the consumer

• Trace the energy transformation in electrical power plant
• Distinguish between electrical power generation, distribution, and transmission
• Differentiate the step-up transformer from a step-down transformer
• Cite ways to minimize power loss in a generation, transmission, and
distribution of electrical power plant
• Perform the Activity “Create a brochure that shows how one source of energy
is converted into electrical energy”

Let’s Recall (Review)

Directions: Identify the following statements. Choose your answer inside the box
and write your answer on your answer sheet.

Carnot Efficiency Thermodynamics

Heat Efficiency Thermal Efficiency
Heat

_______________1. It is absorbed and used to perform work.

_______________2. It is a device that converts heat into mechanical work.
_______________3. It is the ideal heat engine with highest possible efficiency.
_______________4. It refers to the study of heat and its transformation into mechanical
energy.
_______________5. The efficiency of heat engine and the measure of the amount of work
done by the heat supplied.

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 Let’s Understand (Study the Concept)

Electrical energy is a useful form of energy. It is used at homes, offices, and schools.
Electrical energy is generated by power plants from different sources, transmitted through
transmission lines, and distributed to consumers. In this module, you will understand how
electricity is generated from the power plant.

Transmission and Distribution of Electricity

The electrical energy that is generated by the power stations is being consumed by
different electrical devices. In the power station, there is a generator that converts mechanical
energy into electrical energy. To generate electricity, huge turbines are usually involved. A
turbine is a circuit device made up of many blades. It is just like a propeller turned by different
kinds of fluids. Flowing water from a dam, steam from burning fuels, ocean tides, or wind can
be used to turn turbines which in turn, moves a generator.
The electrical energy generated in the power plant is carried by transmission lines to
be distributed to the consumers. This transmission system is shown in Figure 1.

In the process of transmission of

electrical energy, there is energy loss due
to the resistance of the cables. To prevent
this loss, a step-up transformer is used to
increase the voltage while reducing the
current.
The cost of energy loss is paid by
the consumers. It is reflected in the
electrical bill as presented in Table 1.

Table 1. The portion of an Electrical Bill

BILL SUBTOTAL PERCENTAGE
SUBGROUP
Generation 808.05 52.61%
Transmission 136.33 8.88%
Figure 1. Electrical Generation, Transmission, and Distribution System Loss 53.25 3.47%
[Link]

Electrical energy is generated by different types of power plants, which may be

hydroelectric, coal-fired, or geothermal. In some parts of the world, it can also be generated
by solar, wind, nuclear, or wave generation facilities. All their outputs go into the grid.
From the power plant, the transformer is used to step-up voltage. It reduces the current
to minimize energy loss due to the heating of the transmission wires. Very high voltage travels
overhead on long wires which are supported by transmission towers.
Power substations link the different parts of the system that are at different voltages.
One of the functions of the substation is to step down the voltage before passing it on to the

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rest of the power grid. This is because users do not need tens of thousands of volts. At bulk
power substations, voltage is stepped down to tens of thousands of volts to meet the demands
of the sub-transmission system. The sub-transmission system carries relatively lower voltages
to the distribution substations and into the distribution system. Power may also be directed to
sub-transmission customers such as cooperatives who buy electricity for the purpose of
distribution.
The distribution system delivers electricity to residential, commercial, and industrial
customers. Its starts at the transformer in the distribution substation where voltage is stepped
down further to the required voltage, which is either 220 V or 120 V, depending on the
location. In the end, the electric potential energy of the electrons is converted to heat, light,
mechanical energy, or whatever device or gadget is meant for.
This is not a one-way flow of energy, however. Every electrical device has a wire that
goes in and a wire that goes out. This is why power plugs have at least two prongs. When you
connect the device to the wall outlet, that device becomes part of a giant, continuous loop of
conductors. Like any circuit, if there is a break at any point in that loop, the current does not
flow through the device.

How to Reduce the Power Losses in Distribution Lines?

• Use of proper jointing techniques, and keeping the number of joints to a minimum
• Regular inspection of the connections, isolators, drop out fuses, LT switches,
transformers, transformer bushing-stem, and other distribution equipment
• Proper selection of conductor size, as well as the transformer in terms of efficiency,
size, and location. In particular, it is important to locate the distribution transformers
at the load center and if possible, keep the number to a minimum
• Feeding heavy consumers directly from the feeders
• Maintain the network components and replace those that are deteriorating, worn out or
faulty
• Proper load management and load balancing
• Use of electronic meters which are accurate and tamper-proof
• Improving power factor by adding shunt capacitors

Let’s Apply

Directions: Write True if the statement is correct and if False, change the
underlined word to make the statement correct. Write your answer on your
answer sheet.

1. Power plant generates electricity.

2. Step-up transformer lowers voltage for smaller distribution line.
3. Step-down transformer increases the voltage to reduce transmission loss.
4. Transmission lines transport high-voltage electricity over a long distance.
5. Distribution lines carry lower voltage of electricity to homes and businesses.

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 Let’s Analyze

A. Directions: Match Column A to Column B. Write your answer on

your answer sheets.

Column A Column B
1. It is generated from different sources. a. Transformer
2. It delivers electricity to the consumers. b. Distribution
3. It transmits electrical energy through c. Power Plant
transmission lines. d. Energy Loss
4. It is a device that increases or decreases e. Electrical Energy
the voltage of an alternating current.
5. It happens because of the resistance of the cable
to the flow of electricity during transmission.

B. Directions: Analyze the given pictures below. Arrange the letters and describe each
picture into the proper sequence of how electricity is generated, transmitted and
distributed. Write your answer on your answer sheet.

A. B.

C.
D.

E. F.

science_9_tg_draft_4.[Link]

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 Let’s Try (Evaluation)
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answer on your
answer on your answer sheet.

1. Which of the following energy is both nonpolluting and inexpensive?

a. Coal c. Nuclear Fission
b. Hydroelectric d. Solar Energy

2. In the given stages of the transmission system, where is the voltage increased?
a. Distributing Substation c. Substation
b. Post transformer d. Transmission Lines

3. Which of the following devices converts mechanical energy into electrical energy?
a. Electrical Cable c. Generator
b. Electrical Grid d. Transformer

4. Transformers are used to raise the voltage along with substations and lower it for
residential consumption. What kind of transformers is used to raise the voltage?
a. Step -up c. Neither of the two
b. Step-down d. Both a and b

5. What energy transformation takes place in the generator?

a. Chemical to Mechanical c. Heat to Chemical
b. Electrical to Mechanical d. Mechanical to Electrical

6. Shayne turned on the lamp switch in her bedroom. Which of the following is the
correct path of electrical power that can be traced back to the source?
a. Power plant - transmission substations – distribution substations – residences
b. Distribution substations – transmission substations – power plants – residences
c. Residences – distribution substations – power plants – transmission substations
d. Transmission substations – power plants – residences – distribution substations

7-10. Give at least four different types of a power plant.

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 Let’s Create

Directions: Create a brochure that shows how one source of energy is

converted into electrical energy.

5 3 1
Content Content is accurate Content is accurate but Content is inaccurate,
and all required some required information is
information is information is incomplete,
presented missing/or not inaccurate, or not
presented presented
Presentation The presentation is The presentation flows The presentation has
neat, clean, well- well. Some tools are no flow. Insufficient
organized, and used to show information.
presented in a acceptance and
creative way. understanding.
Used of All graphics are All graphics are Graphics do not relate
Graphics related to the topic related to the topic to the topic
and make it easier to
understand
Mechanics No spelling, A few spelling, Many spelling,
grammar, or grammar, or grammar, or
punctuation errors punctuation errors punctuation errors