Power Stations  Manufacturers, Traders, Suppliers

The electrical energy is generated in power stations of all kinds. For several months now, Germany has decided to take the nuclear power plants off the grid. Nuclear power plants make use of the energy generated during the splitting of atomic nuclei. This involves splitting heavy uranium nuclei into lighter fission products using neutrons. The energy released is used by means of a steam turbine and a generator. The same principle is used in coal-fired power plants. This is the only way to burn coal. Like a nuclear power plant, the heat is converted into electrical energy. In hydropower plants, the mechanical energy of the water is converted into electrical energy by a water turbine and a generator. The power plants mentioned above cover the base load demand in Germany. Coal-fired power plants, wind power plants and photovoltaics are also used for the medium load. The latter two are so-called renewable energy power plants. These power plants emit minimal CO2 during energy production. However, the production of photovoltaic modules emits a great many greenhouse gases and consumes a great deal of energy. The peak load is mainly covered by pumped storage power plants and gas-fired power plants. In addition, energy is imported in times of shortage and exported in times of abundance (for example, a lot of wind power). All power plants must work together via grid control centres, because currently only as much electricity can be produced as is consumed. Otherwise certain parts of the network must be switched off.