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The History of Electricity

Let me introduce myself. My name is Electron! You can’t see me but I’m always present in your lives, even when I’m “switched off” (which, let me tell you, doesn’t happen very often!). So where can you find me? Everywhere! I’m that little sphere with a “minus” sign that is shown to explain atoms. You already know what atoms are: the very smallest unit of everything that surrounds us. The equivalent of cells in a human body. Well, I’ll tell you more about that another time. When lots of atoms clump together, they form a new substance. And if this new substance has conductive properties, like metal, we electrons are able to escape and circulate freely, producing electricity. The electricity we bring to homes, schools or businesses can be produced in thermal power plants that run on gas, or using renewable energy sources, such as water - in hydroelectric power plants - or the wind, that are used to drive turbines that transform mechanical energy into electricity. And we also get energy from the sun that can be turned into electricity, thanks to the solar panels installed in our homes or in large power plants. Wave and geothermal energy are two other kind of renewable sources but these aren’t very common in Portugal. But we are the electrons and we never stand still. We’re hard to store so that’s why you’ve never heard of an electron warehouse, have you? Natural energy sources, such as water, the sun and the wind are becoming more and more important because they are friends of the environment. But nature is not under our command and, since we can’t let the world switch itself off, we always need to know how much energy we can get from each source. After all of this, there is one final step: we have to get to the places where we’re needed. Our highways are in the electrical grid and, in Portugal, the grid is run by REN, the company that links the production of electricity to all those who need it. It is a network that links many networks, which in turn connects houses, companies, electric vehicles and everyplace where there’s a socket or a switch. In the future, the grid will be even more sustainable, with renewables leading the way and new and innovative technical solutions. We, the electrons, are carried across the pylons dotted all over the country. We often stop in substations that transform our voltage to ensure that we arrive at your home in perfect conditions. I did say “in perfect conditions”, didn’t I? The secret around electricity is that it needs to be in the right dose. If it’s too little, you won’t be able to turn on all the switches and if it’s too much we may cause a blackout. REN ensures our team of electrons the best conditions to improve the lives of everyone, from the moment we leave the “factory” to when we reach you. We’re there when you open your fridge, turn on your tv or your computer, charge your mobile phone, travel by train, bus or car (if they’re electric) and when you turn off the light at bedtime. And tomorrow is another day!