How is electricity generated? How is it transmitted over long distances? And why does the energy transition require new power lines? These questions were the focus of a hands-on afternoon at the TenneT site in Bayreuth. Four young people aged between 13 and 15 took part in a session organised by the NET project group’s “Try it out” initiative there on Tuesday 9 June 2026, and were gradually trained as new “energy scouts”.
Under the motto “Along the Electricity Path”, the project group is working on a communication toolkit that clearly explains the journey of electricity from generation through transmission to consumption. The aim is to get young people excited about energy, technology and the energy transition. Instead of abstract theory, the focus is on experiments, games and visual materials. This allows young people to try out for themselves how electricity is generated, why electricity grids are important and what role renewable energies play in the energy supply of the future.
Generating electricity yourself: a mini-generator as a practical introduction
To kick things off, the young people built their own mini-generator. They were allowed to solder cables to a circuit board themselves and then test how cranking a wheel makes a light bulb glow. The experiment clearly demonstrated how movement generates electrical energy.
The mini-generator demonstrated a basic principle of electricity generation in a simple way: mechanical energy can be converted into electrical energy. It is precisely this principle that also plays an important role in many power stations. For the young people, this not only explained electricity but also allowed them to experience it first-hand. They were then able to take their self-built generator home with them.
Power transmission explained simply: Why power lines are needed
After discussing electricity generation, the next key question was: How does the electricity get to where it is needed? To answer this, the young people worked with a map of Germany and 3D-printed elements. First, they marked locations where a particularly large amount of electricity is required, such as regions with high population density or significant industrial activity. They then looked at where electricity had previously been generated, including by conventional power stations such as coal-fired plants.
Building on this, they discussed how electricity generation is changing as a result of the energy transition. As coal-fired and nuclear power stations are phased out and renewable energies from wind and solar are further expanded, new demands are placed on the electricity grid. Electricity is increasingly being generated where there is plenty of wind or sun. However, it is often consumed in other places. This is precisely why high-capacity power lines are important.
“I was particularly impressed that the young people, without any prior knowledge of major DC transmission lines such as SuedLink, SuedOstLink or offshore connections, were able to work out the rough routes themselves.”
Annika Wurster, Strategic Advisor Project Management at TenneT
Through joint discussion and hands-on work with the map, it quickly became clear where electricity will need to be transported in future to ensure that renewable energy reliably reaches the places where it is needed.
What do transformers and substations do?
The role of transformers and substations was also explained in a practical way. In an experiment using coils with different numbers of windings, the young people were able to understand how electrical voltage is altered. This made it clear why electricity must be brought to different voltage levels as it travels through the grid.
A substation connects different voltage levels. High voltage is used for transporting electricity over long distances because energy can be transmitted more efficiently this way. For use in homes, schools or businesses, the voltage must later be adjusted again. The experiment thus demonstrated an important component of the electricity supply in a simple and tangible way.
Promoting young talent in STEM through hands-on experimentation
The afternoon was led by Alexander Pahlitzsch from TenneT. He was supported by Alina Feldmeier from FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg and Annika Wurster. In the NET project group “Experimenting”, member companies and member universities work together on the content of the communication toolkit.
To round off the event, there was pizza for everyone and a certificate for the new “Energy Scouts”. The young people had fun, learnt a lot about electricity, power grids and the energy transition, and at the same time provided the project group with valuable insights for the further development of the communication toolkit.
