Energy Resources for Students

Static Electricity

Negative charges build up in the Earth’s atmosphere when there is a storm. The release of energy, as light and sound, is lightning. Those negative charges find a pathway to the ground or another object, like when people are released from a gate to find their seat on a roller coaster.

Potential Energy

Potential energy is energy waiting to be released, like a charge building up in the atmosphere before it produces lightning.

Kinetic Energy

Electricity is kinetic energy because electrons bump into each other as their negative charges flow to a circuit or an electric device.

Electricity flows through materials called conductors. Most metals are conductors of electricity, which is why wires are made of metals like copper and steel. Another conductor that many people do not think about is water.

Think of a time when you were swimming outside and were told to get out of the water. Was a thunderstorm approaching? If so that is because there could be lightning and lightning is static electricity. It could strike the water and the electricity would flow through your body. This also means you are a good conductor of electricity!

Materials that do not conduct electricity well are called insulators. Some examples of insulators are wood, glass, plastic and rubber. The rubber or plastic coating on the wire protects us from the flow of electricity through our bodies.

Electricity is a secondary energy source, which means it is generated from a primary source (usually a natural resource such as sun, oil, coal, natural gas, nuclear, water or wind). Most electricity in the United States comes from steam powered generating plants that burn fossil fuels (coal, oil or natural gas) or use nuclear energy to heat water, thereby producing steam.

The steam spins a turbine, which is connected to a generator. The generator uses large magnets and coils of copper wire to create an electric current that is sent through the power lines, which can be above or below the ground.

Renewable resources can generate electricity as well. Hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal and biomass are sources that are used to generate electricity.

How is Electricity Used?

We use electricity in many ways every day. There are four energy sectors in society: residential, commercial, industrial and transportation.

The largest use of electricity in U.S. homes (residential sector) is for air-conditioning and space heating, followed by water heating, lighting, refrigeration, TVs and related electronic equipment, powering computers and washing and drying clothes.

(Source: eia.gov/energyexplained, accessed November 2024)

How safe is electricity?

Electricity, when used properly, is a safe and convenient form of energy. When used improperly, electricity can cause fires, shocks, injuries and even death. Follow these safety tips to help you avoid electrical accidents.

Using electricity safely at home:

Be careful with electrical cords.

• Avoid placing cords where people will trip over them or where they will receive excessive wear.
• Keep cords away from heat and water and do not twist, kink or crush cords.
• Always unplug an appliance by pulling the plug, not the cord. A frayed cord can shock you.
• Extension cords or outlets should not be overloaded. If an outlet or a power strip has too many things plugged into it, the outlet can become overloaded which creates a hazard in your home.
• Disconnect appliances before cleaning.
• Stay clear from touching metal plumbing, metal objects or appliances during a thunderstorm.
• Do not put anything on a lamp or heater, especially wet clothes.
• Keep anything metal away from an electrical socket or inside a toaster.
• Never use an appliance while standing in water or when wet.
• Turn off the switch or unplug the appliance before changing light bulbs.
• In case of an electrical fire, call the fire department and unplug the appliance if it is safe to do so. Always use a fire extinguisher or baking soda to put out an electrical fire, never use water.

Play It Safe Around Electricity

Downed power lines and unsafe use of electricity can cause serious injury. Make sure your family is safe and review basic electric safety rules each year. Respecting electricity is the best way to prevent injuries and fires.

Stay at least 100 feet away from broken or fallen power lines.

Report downed power lines to an adult and call 911 and the electric company immediately. They will tell you when it is safe to play outside again.

Stay away from high-voltage areas. Power poles, high-voltage towers, transformers and substations are dangerous. Do not touch the electric meter outside your home.

Digging Safely

Digging causes most electrical safety concerns.

If you dig before finding out where underground cables and pipelines are located, you risk hitting and damaging them.

When you call 811 before you dig, you and your family stay safe.

Marker Flags

Every state has a system of marking property with colored flags or paint to show the location of underground cables or pipelines.

These flags are color-coded for the type of pipelines they mark.

Electric lines are marked with red flags.

All marker flags have an important job, such as marking the underground cables and pipelines that bring us natural gas, water, cable TV, etc.

We should never move them, take them out or dig near them.

Call 811 before you dig!

What to Do About a Downed Power Line

Always stay away from downed power lines.

Call the utility company as soon as possible to have them fixed.

Your utility representative will let you know when it is safe again.

Avoid power lines:

• Look up when playing outside.
• Do not climb trees that have power lines running through them.
• Keep ladders away from power lines.
• Never fly kites near power lines and do not attempt to remove a kite tangled in a power line.

Stay Clear, Not Near

If you can hear it, stay clear of it. If you can see it, flee it. Stay inside during thunderstorms or go indoors as quickly as possible. There is no safe place outside except for a permanent structure or inside a metal vehicle with all its windows closed.

Lightning is nature's electricity in thunderstorms. It moves between clouds and from clouds to the ground. Lightning seeks the highest object or the best conductor to complete its circuit.

Did you know that it takes about 10,000 volts to create a one inch spark of lightning? Lightning contains millions of volts and easily can jump 10 to 20 feet!

When you see lightning, AVOID water, trees, open fields and partially enclosed shelters such as gazebos.

• Do not fly kites or drones in thunderstorms.
• Remember to STAY AWAY from water during thunderstorms.
• It is unsafe to be anywhere near a swimming pool during a thunderstorm, especially in it!

Downed Power Lines on a Car, Fence or Road

If you’re in a vehicle, stay put and warn others to stay at least 100 feet or about 6-7 car lengths from the power line. Then call 911.

If you see fire or smoke, get out of the vehicle immediately.

If you are inside a vehicle and must get out, make sure you do not touch the ground and the vehicle at the same time.

Jump from your vehicle and land with both feet together.

Don’t step in water and do not step on the power line.

Slowly shuffle away from the vehicle and power line.

Line workers are responsible for transporting equipment to a job site and installing it. They repair cables, wires, transmission and distribution equipment that power buildings. Power lines, solar water heaters, photovoltaic panels, geothermal heat pump systems and many more systems need line workers. A high school diploma is necessary and a two year degree is optional. Salary range: $48,000 to $120,000

An engineer is a problem-solver who works with electricity grid diagrams, leading projects, collecting data, improving productivity and supporting environmental, health and safety activities. An engineering degree in electrical or mechanical engineering is required. Salary range: $49,000 to $130,000

An auditor completes estimations and inspections for energy equipment and the construction of buildings to make them energy efficient. They prepare reports summarizing energy analysis results and recommendations for energy cost savings. A high school diploma is necessary and a two year degree is optional. Salary range: $37,000 to $102,000

Operators manage the controls of power generation equipment that uses fossil fuels, nuclear or hydropower. A high school diploma is necessary and a two year degree is optional. Salary range: $44,000 to $93,000

A safety manager examines job sites, analyzes project materials and determines disposal methods. They comply with building codes and government regulations. A bachelor's degree and some years of experience (varies per company) are required. Salary range: $62,000 to $117,000

A solar technician assembles, installs or maintains solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site assessment and schematics. May include measuring, cutting, assembling and bolting structural framing and solar modules. May perform minor electrical work such as current checks. A high school diploma or GED is necessary and while most companies prefer some experience, many will provide on-the-job training. Salary range: $44,000 - $62,000

A wind technician assembles, installs or maintains wind turbines mostly in rural areas. A safety harness is worn to climb the towers when performing inspections. They conduct testing of the electrical, mechanical and hydraulic parts. They also maintain underground transmissions, such as fiber-optic cables. A high school diploma or GED is necessary and typically one to two years of on-the-job training. Salary range: $44,000 - $67,000

Surveying and mapping technicians collect data and create maps of the earth's surface to support construction, mining, boundary location and other purposes. Salary range: $37,000 to $70,000

A dispatcher's job is to respond to calls, provide information and coordinate the activities of people working. They retrieve information from relevant departments to answer questions and provide assistance. Salary range: $34,000 to $99,000

Arborists are tree care professionals who maintain the health and safety of trees and shrubs. They recommend removing damaged or diseased trees that pose a safety hazard. Salary range: $46,500 to $60,675