What is “The grid” or Energy Grid?

“The Grid” essentially refers to the electric grid. It is the electrical system that basically connects electricity producers and consumers all with transmissions and distributions lines and related facilities.  According to smartgrid.gov “Our current electric grid was built in the 1890s and improved upon as technology advanced through each decade. Today, it consists of more than 9,200 electric generating units with more than 1 million megawatts of generating capacity connected to more than 300,000 miles of transmission lines.” Without even noticing we use electricity every day almost in all the activities we perform and it is important to understand how the energy grid works since it is the grid is both complicated and vital for our everyday lives. The nation energy grid is based on four (4) major components: Individuals generators, transmission lines, distribution and consumer use or “load.”

Individual generators: This consists of a range of facilities that generate electricity and it can include natural gas, hydroelectric dams, and nuclear power plants, wind turbines solar panels and more. Their location varies depending on their uses.

Transmission lines: this are used to carry high-voltage electricity over long distances and to also connect electricity generators with electricity consumer. This can be located overhead or underground.

Distribution: this is the system of wires that collects where transmission lines are left. Normally start at the transformers and end with entities such as homes, schools and/or businesses. The rates of this distribution are regulated by the state.

Consumer use of “load”: This whole process reaches its end when it gets to the consumer (us) where it allows us to turn perform normal activities such as turn  on and on the lights, watch television, wash our clothes etc.

What is a Smart Grid or what makes a grid smart?

The use of technology or addition of technology to the grid system allows it to be a “smart grid.” The digital technology allows communication between a two- way system (utility and customers.)  All the controls and sensing used thought the system makes it smart such as the internet, automatization of the system and new technologies working together to bring a better service to the client allowing for a quick respond to the high electric demand.

How does it work?

The smart grid link to connections, while it monitors and measures for competitors of the global financial community. It examines real-time usage while It also provides the consumer with technologies to easily monitor and use their resources while knowing how much they will be paying.

Pros

• More efficient transmission of electricity
• Faster restoration and management cost for utilities
• Allows user to have control over their power bill
• Reduced peak demand helping to lower electricity rates
• Increased integration of large-scale renewable energy systems
• Improved security

Cons

• Privacy and safety: According to The Wall Street Journal reported that spies from China, Russia and other countries had penetrated the U.S. electrical grid, leaving behind software that could be used to disrupt the system
• Health: high exposure to the radiofrequency radiation of wireless technologies. “All appliances will transmit wireless data with peak power bursts far above current safety standards – at frequencies between 917 MHz and 3.65 GHz in the ultra-high frequency/microwave ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum, several times a minute.” Said Chellis Glendinning in his article “the problem with smart grids”

References:

• http://www.ucsusa.org/clean-energy/how-electricity-grid-works#.Vq6UGvkrKhc
• https://www.smartgrid.gov/the_smart_grid/smart_grid.html
• http://www.smartmeters.com/what-is-a-smart-grid/
• http://www.counterpunch.org/2011/03/18/the-problems-with-smart-grids/