Generation of Electricity

     Electricity can be generated by a variety of technologies that ultimately depend on the effects of solar radiation. Windmills and waterfalls (themselves very old sources of mechanical energy) can be used to turn turbines to generate electricity. Most existing windmill installations are relatively small, containing ten or more windmills in a crisscross configuration that takes advantage of wind shifts. In contrast, most electricity from hydroelectric installations comes from giant dams. Many of the sites suitable for large dams have already been tapped, especially in the industrialized nations, but during the 1970s small dams used years earlier for mechanical energy were retrofitted to generate electricity.

     Large-scale hydro projects are still being pursued in many developing countries. The simplest form of solar-powered electricity generation is the use of a range of collectors that heat water to produce steam to turn a turbine. Several of these facilities are in existence, producing approximately 200 megawatts of power.

     Other sources of sun-derived electricity involve high-technology options that remain unproven commercially on a large scale. Photovoltaic cells, which convert sunlight directly into electricity, are currently being used for remote locations such as orbiting space satellites, unattended railroad crossings, and irrigation pumps; but progress is needed to lower costs before widespread use is possible. The commercial development of still other methods seems far in the future. Ocean thermal conversion (OTC) generates electricity on offshore platforms; a turbine is turned by the power generated when cold seawater moves from great depths up to a warm surface. Also still highly exploratory is the notion of using space satellites to beam electricity via microwaves down to the earth.

Words and expressions

variety of technologies           -        разнообразие технологий

ultimately depend                            -        в конечном счете зависит

solar radiation                        -        солнечная радиация

windmill                                 -        ветряная мельница

waterfall                                 -        водопад

old source of mechanical energy-     старый источник механической

                                                        энергии

to turn a turbine                     -        вращать турбину

to generate electricity              -        вырабатывать электроэнергию

relatively small                       -        относительно маленький

crisscross configuration                   -        перекрестная конфигурация

advantage of wind shift          -        преимущество направления ветра

hydroelectric installation                 -        гидроэнергетическая установка

giant dam                               -        гигантская дамба

industrialized nation               -        промышленно-развитая страна

to retrofit                                -        заново смонтировать

hydro project                          -        гидро проект

solar-powered electricity

generation                               -        выработка солнечной энергии

range of collectors                            -        ряд коллекторов

to produce steam                    -        производить пар

to turn a turbine                     -        вращать турбину

sun-derived electricity            -        солнечная энергия

high-technology option          -        высокотехнологичный вариант

to remain unproven                -        оставаться недоказанным с коммер-

commercially                                   ческой точки зрения

photovoltaic cells                   -        фотоэлементы с запирающим

                                                        слоем

remote location                       -        отдаленная территория

orbiting space satellite            -        космический спутник

unattended railroad crossing  -        автоматический ж/д переезд

irrigation pump                      -        ирригационный насос

lower cost                               -        более низкая цена

widespread use                       -        широкое применение

commercial development        -        коммерческое развитие

ocean thermal conversion       -        океанское термическое

                                                        преобразование

offshore platform                   -        оффшорная платформа

great depth                             -        большая глубина

warm surface                          -        теплая поверхность

highly exploratory                           -        требующий большого изучения

notion                                     -        намерение

space satellite                         -        космический спутник

beam electricity                      -        лучевое электричество

microwaves                                      -        микроволны