Energy Sources Explained Part 01: Energy Units

Energy Units

To fully understand energy it is important to understand how it is measured. We often hear terms for energy measurements thrown around but a few of us actually grasp what they mean. Let me help you understand the basics.

The basic idea

Energy is the capacity to do work and is equal to force times distance in other words it is the force exerted or required over a distance. So it looks like this: Energy=Work=Force x Distance

Measuring

Work is measured in Joules (J) and therefore this is one of the main measurement units for energy. A J is a metric unit equal to a Newton meter or the amount of work done when a force of a Newton is moved by one meter. So it looks like this: 1N x 1m=1J. Work also be measured in British thermal units (BTUs) and Calories depending on preferences and where in the world are you. BTUs is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. A Calorie is the amount of energy needed to raise one gram of water by 1 degree Celsius. Both at normal atmospheric pressure.

Power and Energy

Power and energy are not the same thing although the terms sometimes are used interchangeably. Power is the rate at which energy is consumed and produced and is equal to energy over time. Looks like this: Power=Energy/Time. In metric system power is measured in watts (W) which is equal to one Joule(J) per Second (s). Looks like this: W=J/s. For example horse power which is also a measure of power is equal to 745.7W.

Consumption Explaining

A Watt hour is the energy consumed by a 1 watt device operating for 1 hour. Watt hours represent a quantity of energy and this is the unit we see in our power bills. So watt hours are the equal of the amount of energy we use after a certain amount of time.

Energy system

To put this in the context of an energy, when you hear someone mention a 100MW(megawatt) facility, they are saying that it produces power at a rate of 100 million watts per second. On your power bill when you see 100 kilowatt hours, it is saying you consumed the amount of energy equivalent to 100 thousand watts for one hour.

I hope i was able to give you basic understanding about energy and power and how they are measured.

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