GRATEFULNESS CHALLENGE DAY 2 - ELECTRICITY
Electricity is the heart of many modern technologies being used for electric power and electronics. It’s day 2 of my 21 days of gratefulness challenge and today, I am grateful for electricity.
P.S - At the time I wrote this, I was excited because it was announced on the news at about 7 pm yesterday that the total lock-down order due to the increasing number of infected cases of the coronavirus in my city Port Harcourt has been lifted for 6 days (yay!). Keep staying positive and protected still, we got this!
For thousands of years, many scientists dedicated their lives to studying and formulating theories around electricity so I’m not going to be giving credit to any particular person today (they are all amazing!). let’s dive into some science a bit. There are many concepts around electricity, some include; the Electric Charge (this brings about electrostatic force), Electric Current, Electric Field (A concept introduced by Michael Faraday), Electric Potential, Electromagnetism, Electrochemistry, Electric Circuits, Electronics, Electromagnetic waves, and Electric Power. I find this last 3 very interesting, the entire concept about electricity is intriguing. Since its invention, there are numerous applications.
Electricity is generated at power plants and moves through a complex system, sometimes called the grid, of electricity substations, transformers, and power lines that connect electricity producers and consumers. Most local grids are interconnected for reliability and commercial purposes, forming larger, more dependable networks that enhance the coordination and planning of electricity supply.
I am appreciating electricity today cause at some point in my day I had to endure a shortage in power supply (almost 7 hours actually). So, for some weeks now I have noticed an increase in the rate of power distribution in my vicinity (some persons in Port Harcourt can attest to this). It’s not as good as some persons enjoy in the western world but I’m sure we will get there someday. The rate of fuel (petrol) consumption has sort of reduced even as the price of fuel was reduced to #125(One Hundred and Twenty Five Naira) during these corona times (I hope it keeps reducing or at least stays that way).
I am not a fan/frequent user of the generating sets so my productivity was affected. Am I the only one who gets lazy once the power goes off? When I was way younger, I’d sleep longer when there was no light in the morning and sometimes end up arriving late to school (yes, I said it! don’t judge me). From my laptop battery life going critical, smartphone battery red (but I had the support of a power bank though), the existing high temperature becoming more noticeable, and the general change in atmosphere wasn’t so appealing. In developing societies like Nigeria where all businesses depend on the power of electricity to effectively operate due to technological advancements, its importance cannot be over-emphasized.
Did you know?
Nigeria is endowed with large oil, gas, hydro, and solar resources, and it already has the potential to generate 12,522 megawatts (MW) of electric power from existing plants.
About the thermal capacity is10,142 MW and 2,380 MW is the hydro capacity. Most days, it’s only able to generate around 4,000 MW which is insufficient for the ever-rising demands (sources: www.usaid.gov)
There are many challenges in the Power Industry in Nigeria and the main challenges are reliability and inconsistency in the supply of electricity. About 90% of Nigerian homes and businesses are powered by generating sets. Just having a steady power supply is a motivation for entrepreneurship which brings about innovation and in turn brings development. Studies are ongoing for electric cares too and some countries are already testing it.
There are cons of electricity but its pros stand out more to me, that is why I am dedicating today to appreciating it. I am grateful to exist in a time when technology and innovations are powered by electricity and its numerous products.
I am thankful to God for allowing me to enjoy the positive impact of this innovation.
I am grateful for life!
I am grateful that you read until this point.
What are you grateful for today?
21-05-2020