Electrical energy travels a long way before we consume it at home, six steps before it reaches residential homes and small businesses. This system of steps is called the Power Distribution Grid
The First of the six steps and the center where all our power comes from is the Power Plant. most run on a sort of spinning electrical generator, to make the generator work power plants use different types of energy : Hydroelectric dams, Diesel engines, Gas turbines, and steam turbines. Most plants use steam turbines which creates steam by burning coal oil or natural gas or steam may come from a nuclear reactor. . generators create 3 phase power it is this 3 phase AC Power that is leaving the power plant to its next destination. the phases of this power is separated into three wires that alternate current(AC) and a common ground wire as well.
But wait what’s a ground wire ? a ground wire is used as a way to return electrons safely because the earth is a good conductor
Three phase power leaves the generator and enters the transmission substation which use large transformers (not bumble bee the other one )
these transformers are close if not still part of the power plant and they convert the generators power to high voltages to it can be transferred on the aptly named transition grid. The large towers used like seen in the photo above are huge metal structures with three wires for the three phases and the ground wire to attract lightening.
Then we have regulator banks which yet again cut the power down for easier consumption and can be shut off for maintenance within neighborhoods. The power lines we see outside our house are what leads the power to us for use.
Next is the power substation or distribution grid where the power is stepped down to better suit consumption. there is a “bus” here that splits the power into a lot of directions. power leaves this substation in two sets of three wires
Smart Grids
https://www.smartgrid.gov/the_smart_grid
are being developed to meet the rising demands of the 21st century and replace this grid I have previously explained. the current grid only works in one direction, smart grids are being designed to respond and send energy back and fourth between customers and the utility. It’s main goal is to make the grid greener and use wind and solar energy production to help limit out green house gas emissions.
how it will work:
meters and sensors will allow the utilities to gather data about consumption of energy then use that info to store energy for later use instead of having to use all the energy produced. this two way street way of energy creates problems as well as solutions to the modern day demand.
the pros of the smart grid include:
- Eliminates Blackouts and brown outs
- better overall reliability
- prevent attacks due to self-healing capabilities
- real time communication between consumer and utility
The cons of the grid include:
- cost is estimated between 13 and 50 billion dollars
- some more vulnerable parts of the country may not be able to change power consumption methods quick enough
- Privacy
References:
https://www.smartgrid.gov/the_smart_grid
http://electrical-systems-lighting.knoji.com/pros-and-cons-of-the-smart-grid/
http://www.eesi.org/briefings/view/smart-grid-how-does-it-work-and-why-do-we-need-it
http://www.stopthecrime.net/BPL.pdf
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/power7.htm