In the context of energy, supply is the process of bringing energy from the point of creation, such as a power plant, all the way to the point of consumption at a home or business.

Creating Energy

The process of energy creation starts by collecting the source, whether it be a traditional fossil fuel or a renewable source, such as wind or solar. Energy can be harnessed from these sources in a number of ways. For example, a power plant can use a furnace to burn fossil fuels to release energy. Or turbines can be used to turn renewable energy like wind into energy that can be used to power our homes.

Distributing Energy

After the energy is created, it is distributed to consumers. But this energy might be produced far from your home. So how does it get to you?

You may have heard of something called a power grid. This is really the connection of the power plants, power lines, transformers and everything else needed to transfer energy from place to place. In essence, the grid helps ensure the right amount of power is being distributed to the right places.

When you walk around your neighborhood or are driving along the highway, you probably can spot power lines. They're so prevalent that it's easy to ignore them, despite their important purpose. These power lines connect homes and businesses to the grid and can transfer electricity over long distances. Once in your home, the electricity is distributed through your wiring system, allowing you to turn power on and off throughout your house as you need it.

Thanks to supply, electricity is then available at the flick of a switch.