Sources of power

Geography of Pakistan · Power. The idea in plain words, the rules to remember, the mistake to avoid and a worked example, written and checked by Mega Lecture.

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The idea

Coal, oil and natural gas are fossil fuels. How coal is mined depends on where the seam lies: near the surface, in a hillside, or deep underground. Oil and gas are trapped in porous rock under a layer that will not let them pass. Geologists find likely traps with a seismic survey, and then a well is drilled.

Most electricity is made by turning a turbine that drives a generator. In thermal and nuclear stations steam turns it, in hydel stations falling water does, and in wind farms the wind does. Solar panels are different: their cells change sunlight straight into electric current.

Power runs factories, tubewells, transport, offices and homes, so development depends on a cheap, reliable supply.

Rules to remember

Common mistake

Nuclear power is not renewable, because its fuel, uranium, is mined and will run out. Do not confuse 'clean' with 'renewable'.

Worked example

Hydel power stations such as Tarbela produce less electricity in winter than in summer. Why?

  1. Hydel output depends on how much water passes through the turbines and how far it falls.
  2. In winter little snow and ice melts and there is no monsoon rain, so the rivers bring in little water.
  3. Stored water is also released for the winter crops, so the level of the reservoir drops.
  4. Less water with a smaller fall turns the turbines with less force.

Answer: River flow and reservoir levels are low in winter, so less power is generated.

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