Electricity: The Spark of Life

Electricity: The Spark of Life is a new art commission at Manchester's Science and Industry museum showing the flow of electricity across the North West region, using real data to show past, present and future demand.

The new art installation, which has been sponsored by Electricity North West, featured at the 2018 Manchester Science Festival and will be displayed at the museum until 28 April 2019. The installation allows audiences to immerse themselves into the world of electricity to truly understand the sheer scale of how it's used in Manchester and across the North West.

Designed by data visualisation experts Tekja using real data supplied by Electricity North West, the work highlights the past, present and future electricity uses including using data modelling to project future scenarios.

At a time when we are more reliant on electricity than ever before, the exhibition will ask us to contemplate our ongoing relationship with electricity and imagine what the future might look like.

Electricity North West Chief Executive, Peter Emery, said: “Electricity is crucial to almost everything we do – from heating and lighting to home working, online streaming and shopping, downloading your favourite boxset and keeping in touch with friends and family.

“We operate the network that connects every home and business in the North West to the grid and there’s a revolution taking place in the way energy is being generated, delivered and used. More and more of us are moving to low carbon electricity to heat our homes and charge our cars, and even generating our own power through solar panels.

“We’re at the forefront of this innovation in the North West and we’re delighted to be showcasing the importance of the future of energy through this work with the Museum of Science and Industry.”