Generating Electricity Fact File

Electricity is generated from a range of power sources, including coal, gas, nuclear, wind and solar. It can be generated at a power
station and then transported to our homes, hospitals or schools. Buildings can have equipment such as solar panels or wind turbines
to generate their own electricity on site.

Electricity generation often involves turbines and

generators.

Turbines are machines that can rotate. Steam, water,

This diagram shows how electricity gets from where it is generated gas and wind can be used to do this.
to our homes.
Turbines then connect to machinery called generators.
Never go near or play around any of these structures – they are Generators convert the kinetic (movement) energy (from
very dangerous. the turbine spinning) into electricity.

Disclaimer: This resource is provided for informational and educational purposes only. As this resource refers to electricity, you must ensure that an adequate
risk assessment is carried out prior to undertaking activities using electricity with your class. Twinkl is not responsible for the health and safety of your group or
environment. It is your responsibility to ensure the resource and the information/activity it contains are safe and appropriate to use in your situation.

visit twinkl.com
 Non-Renewable Energy
Non-renewable energy sources cannot be replaced once they have been used up.

Oil Natural Gas Coal Nuclear Power

A process called nuclear fission, usually involving a

substance called uranium, generates heat that is used to
produce steam. As in fossil fuel power plants, this steam
is used to spin turbines that drive generators to
generate electricity.

Oil, natural gas and coal are referred to as fossil fuels. They
are formed from the remains of plants and animals that lived
millions of years ago. Fossil fuels can be burnt to generate
electricity. Generally, the heat from burning them is used to
produce steam (via heating water). This spins a turbine that then
drives a generator to generate electricity.

Fossil Fuels and the Environment

Fossil fuels have been and are still widely used across the globe for our energy needs.

Our burning of fossil fuels is a major cause of the current climate change that the world is
experiencing. Furthermore, as fossil fuels are non-renewable, they will eventually run out
so alternative options are needed. Fortunately, lots of people around the world are working
hard to find positive solutions to help.

visit twinkl.com
 Renewable Energy
In contrast to non-renewable energy sources, renewables will not run out – they can’t be used up.

Wind Power Wind turbines are Solar Power Geothermal Power

used to generate Geothermal power
electricity from uses heat from
the wind. The Solar power uses
within the earth.
turning blades of a energy from the
Steam (sometimes
wind turbine can sun to generate
straight from
be used to spin electricity. This can
underground) is
a ‘rotor’, which be done using solar
used to generate
then connects to panels or mirrors.
electricity via
a generator to generators.
generate electricity.

Hydroelectric Power Biomass Power

Renewable
Biomass power involves using biological energy sources
Hydroelectric power
materials (not including fossil fuels) are considered
uses energy from
for energy. Sources can include wood, to have many
moving water to
household waste and animal manure. environmental
generate electricity
Burning biomass can be used to produce advantages and are
and commonly
steam to drive turbines and electricity a solution to meet
involves using
generators. our energy needs
dams.
while fighting
climate change.

visit twinkl.com
 Generating Electricity Activity Sheet
Down

1. A type of fossil fuel that can be burnt to generate electricity. (7,3)

2. Wood, household waste and animal manure can be used as a fuel for this sort of electricity generation. (7)

3. A type of electricity generation using energy from the sun. (5)

4. A wind t _ _ _ _ _ _ can be used to generate electricity from the wind. (7)

5. A type of fossil fuel that can be burnt to generate electricity. (4)

6. This group of energy sources will not run out – they can’t be used up. (9)

Across

7. Burning fuels can heat water, forming s _ _ _ _ that can be used to turn a turbine. (5)

8. A type of power that uses energy from moving water to generate electricity and commonly involves
using dams. (13)

9. A type of electricity generation that uses heat from the earth. (10)

10. A piece of machinery that converts kinetic (movement) energy into electricity. (9)

11. Nuclear f _ _ _ _ _ _ is the process used to generate heat in nuclear power plants. (7)

12. Our burning of fossil fuels is a major cause of current c _ _ _ _ _ _ change. (7)

Disclaimer: This resource is provided for informational and educational purposes only. As this resource refers to electricity, you must ensure that an adequate
risk assessment is carried out prior to undertaking activities using electricity with your class. Twinkl is not responsible for the health and safety of your group or
environment. It is your responsibility to ensure the resource and the information/activity it contains are safe and appropriate to use in your situation.

visit twinkl.com
 Generating Electricity Activity Sheet
3

9 4

5 11

10

12

visit twinkl.com
 Generating Electricity Activity Sheet Answers
Down

1. A type of fossil fuel that can be burnt to generate electricity. (7,3) natural gas

2. Wood, household waste and animal manure can be used as a fuel for this sort of electricity generation. (7) biomass

3. solar
A type of electricity generation using energy from the sun. (5)

4. A wind t _ _ _ _ _ _ can be used to generate electricity from the wind. (7) turbine

5. A type of fossil fuel that can be burnt to generate electricity. (4) coal

6. This group of energy sources will not run out – they can’t be used up. (9) renewable

Across

7. Burning fuels can heat water, forming s _ _ _ _ that can be used to turn a turbine. (5) steam

8. A type of power that uses energy from moving water to generate electricity and commonly involves
using dams. (13) hydroelectric

9. A type of electricity generation that uses heat from the earth. (10) geothermal

10. A piece of machinery that converts kinetic (movement) energy into electricity. (9) generator

11. Nuclear f _ _ _ _ _ _ is the process used to generate heat in nuclear power plants. (7) fission

12. Our burning of fossil fuels is a major cause of current c _ _ _ _ _ _ change. (7) climate

visit twinkl.com
 Generating Electricity Activity Sheet Answers
3
s
1n o
a l
7
s t e a m

u r
r
2
a b
8
h y d r o e l e c t r i c
g o
9 4 m
g e o t h e r m a l
6
u s a r
r s e
5 11
b c f i s s i o n
i o e
10 w
g e n e r a t o r
e l 12
c l i m a t e

b
l
e

visit twinkl.com