Generation

In New Brunswick, there are several major generation plants that produce electricity by nuclear fission, water power, oil and coal combustion.

As a distribution utility, all of Saint John Energy's power requirements are purchased from the provincial utility, New Brunswick Power Corporation, under a ten year purchase agreement expiring in 2005.

In every power plant, mechanical energy is changed into electrical energy. One way this can be accomplished is by pushing moving water or steam across the blades of a turbine which spins at a rate of 3,600 revolutions per minute.

The spinning turbine is connected to a metal shaft which turns a large magnet surrounded by coils of copper wire. The spinning magnet creates a powerful magnetic field around the coils which causes the electrons in the copper coils to become aligned and begin moving.

The movement of these electrons along the wire is electricity. The wires carry the current from the generator to a "step up" transformer just outside the power plant. This transformer increases the voltage from the generator to a higher voltage of 69,000 to 345,000 volts.

The voltage must be increased so the current has the "push" it needs to travel long distances over the transmission lines.

 

Transmission >>