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trical grid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Electrical grid

Contents [hide]

1 Overview

2 Features

2.1 Structure of distribution grids

2.2 Geography of transmission networ

2.3 Redundancy and defining "grid"

2.4 Distributed generation

3 Modern trends

3.1 Deregulation

3.2 Demand response

3.3 Distributed generation

3.4 Smart grid

[edit]

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

(Redirected from Electrical power grid)

"Power Grid" redirects here. For the board game, seePower Grid (board game).

For other uses, seeGrid (disambiguation).

An e lec t r i ca l g r id is an interconnected

network for delivering electricity from

suppliers to consumers.

Overview

When referring to the power industry, "grid" is

a term used for an electricity network which

may support all or some of the following three

distinct operations:

1. Electricity generation

2. Electric power transmission

3. Electricity distribution

The sense of grid is as a network, and should

not be taken to imply a particular physical

layout, or breadth. "Grid" may be used to

refer to an entire continent's electrical

network, a regional transmission networkor

may be used to describe a subnetwork such

as a local utility's transmission grid or

distribution grid.

Electricity in a remote location might be

provided by a simple distribution grid linking a

central generator to homes. The traditional

paradigm for moving electricity around in

developed countries is more complex.

Generating plants are usually located near a source of

water, and away from heavily populated areas. They

are usually quite large in order to take advantage of

the Economies of scale. The electric power which is

generated is stepped up to a higher voltageat which

it connects to the transmission network. The

transmission network will move (wheel) the power

long distancesoften across state lines, and

sometimes across international boundariesuntil it

reaches its wholesale customer (usually the company

that owns the local distribution network). Upon arrival

General layout of electricity networks. Voltages and

depictions of electrical lines are typical for Germany and

other European systems.

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ikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Grid_(board_game)http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Electrical_power_grid&redirect=nohttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Electrical_grid&action=edit&section=1


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3.5 Micro grid

3.6 Super grid

4 See also

5 References

at the substation, the power will be stepped down in

voltagefrom a transmission level voltage to a

distribution level voltage. As it exits the substation, it

enters the distribution wiring. Finally, upon arrival at

the service location, the power is stepped down again

from the distribution voltage to the required service

voltage(s).

This traditional centralized model along with its distinctions are breaking down with the introduction

new technologies. For example, the characteristics of power generation can in some new grids beentirely opposite of those listed above. Generation can occur at low levels in dispersed locations, i

highly populated areas, and not outside the distribution grids. Such characteristics could be attracti

for some locales, and can be implemented if the grid uses a combination of new design options su

as net metering,electric cars as a temporary energy source, or distributed generation.

Features

Struc ture o f d is t r ibu t ion gr ids

The following text needs to be harmonized with text in Electricity

distribution.

The structure, or "topology" of a grid can vary considerably. The physical layout is often forced by

what land is available and its geology. The logical topology can vary depending on the constraints

budget, requirements for system reliability, and the load and generation characteristics.

The cheapest and simplest topology for a distribution or

transmission grid is a radialstructure. This is a treeshape

where power from a large supply radiates out into

progressively lower voltage lines until the destination homes

and businesses are reached.

Most transmission grids require the reliability that more

complex mesh networksprovide. If one were to imagine

running redundant lines between each limb and branch of a

tree that could be turned in case any particular limb of the tree

were severed, then this image approximates how a mesh

system operates. The expense of mesh topologies restrict their

application to transmission and medium voltage distribution

grids. Redundancy allows line failures to occur and power is

simply rerouted while workmen repair the damaged and

deactivated line.

Other topologies used are loopedsystems found in Europe

and tied ringnetworks.

The examples and perspective in this article may no t

represent a w or ldwide v iew of the sub jec t . Please

improve this article and discuss the issue on the talk page.

(February 2010)

In cities and towns of North America, the grid tends to follow the classic "radially fed" design. A

substation receives its power from the transmission network, the power is stepped down with a

transformer and sent to a bus from which feeders fan out in all directions across the countryside.

These feeders carry three-phase power, and tend to follow the major streets near the substation.

Classic North American electricity

distribution grids were simple "radial"

trees, sending power from a source

(red dot representing power generati

or a substation) to delivery points (bl

dots representing homes, businesses

or other subnetworks).
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the distance from the substation grows, the fanout continues as smaller laterals spread out to cove

areas missed by the feeders. This tree-like structure grows outward from the substation, but for

reliability reasons, usually contains at least one unused backup connection to a nearby substation.

This connection can be enabled in case of an emergency, so that a portion of a substation's servic

territory can be alternatively fed by another substation.

Geography o f t ransmiss ion ne tw orks

The following text needs to be harmonized with text in Electric

power transmission.

Transmission networks are more

complex with redundant pathways.

For example, see the map of the

United States' (right) high-voltage

transmission network.

A wide area synchronous gridor

"interconnection" is a group of

distribution areas all operating with

alternating current(AC) frequencies

synchronized (so that peaks occur atthe same time). This allows

transmission of AC power throughout

the area, connecting a large number

of electricity generators and

consumers and potentially enabling

more efficient electricity markets and redundant generation. Interconnection maps are shown of No

America (right) and Europe (below left).

Electricity generation and consumption must be balanced across the entire grid, because energy is

consumed almost immediately after it is produced. A large failure in one part of the grid - unless

quickly compensated for - can cause current to re-route itself to flow from the remaining generatorsto consumers over transmission lines of insufficient capacity, causing further failures. One downsid

to a widely connected grid is thus the possibility of cascading failure and widespread power outage

central authority is usually designated to facilitate communication and develop protocols to maintai

stable grid. For example, the North American Electric Reliability Corporationgained binding powers

the United States in 2006, and has advisory powers in the applicable parts of Canada and Mexico

The U.S. government has also designated National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, where

believes transmission bottlenecks have developed.

Some areas, for example rural communities in Alaska, do not operate on a large grid, relying inste

on local diesel generators.[1 ]

High-voltage direct current lines or variable frequency transformerscan be used to connect twoalternating current interconnection networks which are not synchronized with each other. This

provides the benefit of interconnection without the need to synchronize an even wider area. For

example, compare the wide area synchronous grid map of Europe (below left) with the map of HVD

lines (below right).

The Continental U.S. power transmission grid consists of about

300,000 km of lines operated by approximately 500 companies.
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[eRedundancy and def in ing "gr id"

A town is only said to have achieved grid connection when it is connected to several redundant

sources, generally involving long-distance transmission.

This redundancy is limited. Existing national or regional grids simply provide the interconnection of

facilities to utilize whatever redundancy is available. The exact stage of development at which the

supply structure becomes a gridis arbitrary. Similarly, the term national gridis something of an

The wide area synchronous gridsof Europe. Most are members of the European

Transmission System Operatorsassociation.

High-voltage direct current interconnections in

western Europe - red are existing links, green a

under construction, and blue are proposed. Ma

of these transfer power from renewable sourcesuch as hydro and wind. For names, see also t

annotated version.
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anachronism in many parts of the world, as transmission cables now frequently cross national

boundaries. The terms distribution gridfor local connections and transmission gridfor long-distanc

transmissions are therefore preferred, but national gridis often still used for the overall structure...

Dist r ibu ted generat ion

Utilities are under pressure to evolve their classic topologies to accommodate distributed generatio

As generation becomes more common from rooftop solar and wind generators, the differences

between distribution and transmission grids will continue to blur.

Modern trends

Deregulat ion

The three components of a complete grid: generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical

power, can all be found in most large utilities. A utility can be completely self-sufficient, but finds it

advantageous to have the opportunity to buy and sell power to and from neighboring utilities. This

improves their reliability, and that of their neighbors. Utilities are often awarded a "monopoly" status

(at least at the distribution level) simply because it doesn't make sense to have competing utilities

installing their hardware in the same location as another utility. The idea of a monopoly becomes l

compelling as one considers the generation of electrical power. Wildly varying costs for the

production of electricity, and the opportunity to encourage free market competition spurs many

legislatures to move towards deregulation of the electric utilities (also known as "liberalization" in

some parts of the world.) The idea of de-regulation usually involves the separation of the generatio

transmission, and distribution operations into separate financial entities. Generation assets in

particular can often be sold-off in piecemeal fashion to the highest bidders. With the aging

infrastructure present at many utilities, and the pressure to de-regulate, there are numerous

opportunities to re-engineer the system[2 ].

Transitioning utilities from regulated monopolies to a deregulated market has run into a number of

challenges such as those surfaced by the California electricity crisis.

Demand responseMain article:Demand response

Demand response is a grid management technique where retail or wholesale customers are

requested either electronically or manually to reduce their load. Currently, transmission grid operat

use demand response to request load reduction from major energy users such as industrial plants.

Dist r ibu ted generat ion

Main article:Distributed generation

With everything interconnected, and open competition occurring in a free market economy, it starts

make sense to allow and even encourage distributed generation(DG). Smaller generators, usually

not owned by the utility, can be brought on-line to help supply the need for power. The smallergeneration facility might be a home-owner with excess power from their solar panel or wind turbine

might be a small office with a diesel generator. These resources can be brought online either at t

utility's behest, or by owner of the generation in an effort to sell electricity. Many small generators

allowed to sell electricity back to the grid for the same price they would pay to buy it.

Smart g r id

Main article:Smart grid

Numerous efforts are underway to develop a "smart grid". In the U.S., the Energy Policy Act of 20

and Title XIII of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.[4 ] are providing funding to
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Energy po

Look up grid electricityinWiktionary, the free dictionary.

encourage smart grid development. The hope is to enable utilities to better predict their needs, an

some cases involve consumers in some form of time-of-use based tariff. Funds have also been

allocated to develop more robust energy control technologies. [5 ]

Micro gr id

Main article:Microgrid

Decentralization of the power transmission distribution system is vital to the success and reliability

this system. Currently the system is reliant upon relatively few generation stations. This makes

current systems susceptible to impact from failures not within said area. Micro grids would have locpower generation, and allow smaller grid areas to be separated from the rest of the grid if a failure

were to occur. Furthermore, micro grid systems could help power each other if needed. Generation

within a micro grid could be a downsized industrial generator or several smaller systems such as

photo-voltaic systems, or wind generation. When combined with Smart Grid technology, electricity

could be better controlled and distributed, and more efficient.

Super grid

Main article:Super grid

Various planned and proposed systems to dramatically increase transmission capacity are known a

super, or mega grids. The promised benefits include enabling the renewable energy industry to seelectricity to distant markets, the ability to increase usage of intermittent energy sources by balanc

them across vast geological regions, and the removal of congestion that prevents electricity marke

from flourishing. Local opposition to siting new lines and the significant cost of these projects are

major obstacles to super grids.

See also

Distributed network

Electric power transmission

Electricity distribution

Electricity retailingGreen power

Grid energy storage

Independent System Operator

Hohm

Interconnection

Load management

National Grid (UK)

Regional Transmission Organization

Smart meter

Infrastructure security

North Sea Offshore Grid

DESERTEC

References

1. ^ Energy profile of Alaska, United States , Editor: Cutler J. Cleveland, Last Updated: July 30, 2008

Encyclopedia of Earth

2. ^ American Scientist Online - Re engineering the Electric Grid [dead link]

3. ^ "Industry Cross-Section Develops Action Plans at PJM Demand Response Symposium" . Reuters

2008-08-13. Retrieved 2008-11-22. "Demand response can be achieved at the wholesale level with
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major energyusers such as industrial plants curtailing power use and receiving payment for

participating."

4. ^ "U.S. Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007" . Retrieved 2007-12-23.[dead link]

5. ^ DOE Provides up to $51.8 Million to Modernize the U.S. Electric Grid System , June 27, 2007, U

Department of Energy (DOE)

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Availability factor Baseload Black start Capacity factor Demand factor

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