Imagine a world without electricity — no lighting, heating or AC, television and so much more.
Electricity is genuinely the most important part of daily life in modern society. With its massive and interconnected network, it ensures the reliable delivery of electricity to millions of homes, businesses and industries across the continental U.S.
But how does the U.S. power grid work? Here’s a U.S. electric grid map if you want to take a look before we explore the key steps and elements that make it all happen.
1. Power Generation
Firstly, how many electric grids are in the U.S.? Put simply, just three! There are Eastern, Western and Texas interconnections — all functioning separate from one another.
The U.S. power grid must pull energy from various sources before it can start generating energy.
The U.S. electric grid derives energy from these sources:
- Fossil fuels: Coal, natural gas and oil
- Nuclear energy
- Renewable sources: Solar, wind, hydroelectric and geothermal
- Some energy storage systems: Whole house generators, portable generators, inverter generators, etc.
Once they source energy, power plants can generate electricity by converting it into a usable form.
[Related: How Solar Power Works (Infographic)]
2. Transmission
Once plants generate electricity, it then goes to transmission substations via high-voltage transmission lines that criss-cross the U.S.
These substations crank up voltage levels during the transmission process for two reasons:
- To reduce potential energy transmission losses
- To ensure efficient long-distance power transfer
What’s more, these transmission lines are incredibly vast and form an integrated network spanning thousands of miles. If it wasn’t this way, power plants couldn’t deliver flowing electricity to regions across the country.
[Related: What Are the Peak and Off-Peak Electricity Hours]
3. Substations and Transformers
Once flowing energy arrives at substations along transmission lines, the voltage decreases, allowing lines to further distribute that energy.
But you might wonder how this voltage is lowered in distinct substation areas. Well, the answer is transformers. They lower voltages to suitable distribution levels for end users — typically around 9,920 volts to 2400 volts.
Substations serve as crucial nodes in the grid. They’re key areas for power to redirect and transfer to different transmission lines or go to local distribution networks.
4. Distribution
Additionally, the U.S. power grid has a distribution network. But what exactly does this mean?
Essentially, the distribution network carries electricity from substations to end users (aka you and anyone else who uses electricity). Distribution networks consist of medium-voltage power lines that deliver electricity to neighborhoods, industrial areas and commercial districts.
There are distribution transformers located both on utility poles and in ground-level enclosures. This placement further reduces the voltage to a safe level for residential and commercial use. (A safe level is usually 120/240 volts.)
5. Local Distribution and Consumption
Now onto distribution lines (aka service lines) — this is how the grid delivers electricity to individual homes, businesses and institutions. These lines connect to electrical meters on buildings and measure the amount of electricity being consumed.
Inside the buildings that these lines connect to, electrical wiring distributes energy to outlets, appliances, lighting and other electrical devices for use.
[Related: How To Read Solar Electric Bills]
6. Grid Management and Control
Now that we know how the U.S. power grid sources, generates, transmits and distributes electricity, as well as how people consume it, let’s look at grid safety protocol.
To ensure the U.S. electric grid remains stable and reliable, a sophisticated monitoring, control and coordination system must be in place. Grid operators continuously monitor three factors to prevent a U.S. power grid attack, and ensure the grid’s stability and reliability:
- Electricity demand
- Generation capacity
- Transmission constraints
Advanced technologies — such as supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems — allow operators to precisely monitor the flow of electricity. If the flow ever falls out of place, operators adjust output levels and reroute power supplies to maintain balance within the grid.
7. Supply and Demand Balance
Maintaining a balance between electricity supply and demand is crucial to retain grid stability and avoid a U.S. power grid attack.
Grid operators need to foresee electricity demands — so they work as proactively as possible. To do so, they use forecasting techniques to predict spikes and dips in energy demand. As a result, energy capacities are more likely to be available when demand is higher.
To further maintain the balance, grid operators and plant operators work together. In coordination, they can better manage energy reserve capacities and respond to unexpected energy demand changes.
8. Grid Resilience and Security
Unfortunately but inevitably, the power grid faces challenges:
- Extreme weather events
- Equipment failures
- Cybersecurity threats
With these challenges in mind, utilities make efforts to enhance grid resilience. For example, they strengthen its infrastructure, diversify where it sources energy and try to restore power quickly during outages.
They also implement cybersecurity measures to protect the grid from potential attacks on digital energy meters. This ensures the secure (and safe) flow of electricity. A U.S. power grid attack is unlikely, but it’s a scenario worth preparing for.
[Related: How To Optimize Your Tesla Powerwall During a Power Outage]
Contact Freedom Solar To Start Harnessing the Sun’s Energy
The U.S. power grid is a complex and interconnected system that enables the reliable delivery of electricity across the country. With continuous monitoring, advanced technologies and coordinated management, the grid keeps our power on and supports life as we know it.
If you’re interested in purchasing SunPower solar panels — the highest-rated panels on the market — contact Freedom Solar today. We’ll make your transition to solar easier than ever.
And with financing options, you can make sure your bottom line doesn’t take a hit! On that note, here are some current, budget-friendly options if you finance with Freedom Solar.
Our energy consultants also go the extra mile and tell you about solar rebates and incentives available in your area and how you can leverage net metering via the power grid.
Give us a call at (800) 504-2337 or complete our online inquiry form for a quote estimate and free consultation. One of our energy consultants will be in touch!
Featured image via Unsplash