Land InsituteHome

Learn More
We can become more energy secure.
By developing renewable energy sustainably and using less fossil fuels, the U.S. can increase its security.
Got any bright ideas?
If you have opinions on climate and energy issues, let your legislators know.

Receive CEP news & events info in your inbox. Enter your email address & sign up today!

carbon regulation cep news climate change coal energy efficiency energy policy green jobs greenhouse gases kansas policy renewable energy wind

Contact Us | Blog | CEP Projects | Who We Are |
Search
Learn More

Glossary of Terms

Volt
A measurement of the force of an electrical current. Voltage comes from the activity of free electrons moving between atoms, or the movement that fundamentally creates electric power.

Power plants send high-voltage currents through a transformer so the electricity can be sent down transmission lines to reach substations, where another transformer turns the current into low-voltage levels appropriate for consumers. High-voltage currents travel more efficiently over long distances (however, due to the resistance of the wire, energy is lost during transfer).

Voltage is different than current, which describes how fast electricity can travel through a certain substance, like a transmission line. Electric current is measured in amps.
» Back
 Back To Top
Print Email
Mission
Projects
Staff
Contact/Email
CEP Contacts & Resources
In the News
Site Map
Glossary of Terms
FAQs
Library
Blog
Fact Sheets
...for your home
...for farms & businesses
...for congregations
Work with your legislators
“While abrupt climate changes have occurred throughout the Earth's history, human civilization arose during a period of relative climate stability.”

– EPA website on climate science
Copyright © Climate + Energy Project, 2012
Website by: Digital Evolution Group