Our nation is filled with electricity cables located everywhere, all it takes is for us to step out the building we are in and most likely we will see one. Our nation is equipped with a total of 450,000 miles worth of electricity cables. The United States also has 160,000 miles worth of overhead transmission lines. Difference between these two lines is that power lines distributes the electricity for different demands, and the overhead lines are bigger and distribute electricity to the power lines. The grid within the nation must be able to distribute enough electricity for the amount of demand that exist in the nation. The consumption of energy by the human population within the nation is so large that no one ever knows when a black out or burnout may occur. That can be a con especially if someone is in the middle of something important at home or where ever, it is possible for something to get damaged. Now in this situation there is a positive side to it, because electricity is used so much, electric companies have adapted to respond quick and know where, how to fix the issue of electricity. A smart grid can be used for many reason such as allowing electricity to come into a building but at the same time, information is being sent out from the building and into the power lines so that the utilities can keep in touch with the consumers. The United States electricity distribution is divided into three sections. The state of Texas has its own power plant due to in the passed wanting to be independent. The rest of the nation is divided into two parts the east and the west.
Link above is a quick video that explains not only the smart grid but also other smart technology created to help improve the use of electricity.
References :
http://energy.gov/articles/top-9-things-you-didnt-know-about-americas-power-grid
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/power.htm
http://www.whatissmartgrid.org/smart-grid-101/consumer-benefits