Chapter 4 - A Concept: Energy Currencies

Let’s illustrate this concept by following the trek energy takes from a nuclear reactor in a power plant to your TV set. Heat from the nuclear reactor’s fission processes is converted into energy in the steam that leaves the reactor. Then a turbine converts the energy of the steam into energy carried by a rotating shaft. Then a generator converts the rotating shaft energy into medium-voltage electricity which a transformer converts into high-voltage electricity (for efficient transmission to cities). When it gets to the city another transformer converts the high-voltage electricity into low-voltage electricity (making it safe enough to enter your home) and then, finally, your TV set converts the electricity into sound and light (albeit not necessarily enlightenment). Each step is from one intermediate currency to the next. And at each step we pay an energy conversion price. But it’s worth it, because the system benefits, because we can’t jam nuclear reactors into TV sets.

 

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