#Different types of electrical grids generator#
#Different types of electrical grids plus#
#Different types of electrical grids series#

Each of these components plays an important role in maintaining the reliable operation of the grid. The system relies upon a web of step-up and step-down transformers, substations, breakers, and switches. The transmission system consists of much more than just poles and wires. The transmission and distribution system connects these power plants to the areas where electricity is ultimately used. Unless you have solar panels on your property, the electricity you use at your home or business comes from power plants located far from your home. In each instance, the output is the same: either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) electricity that can be used in homes and businesses. Solar energy functions differently, by collecting sunlight and converting that energy into electrical energy on the face of solar panels. Wind energy uses the power of the wind to spin a turbine, geothermal power uses the earth's heat to create steam to spin a turbine, and hydropower harnesses flowing water to spin a turbine. Many of the original renewable resources functioned similarly: by finding ways to spin a turbine to generate electricity. For instance, coal-fired power plants burn coal to produce steam to spin a turbine, natural gas-fired power plants burn natural gas, and nuclear power plants use the heat generated by a nuclear reaction. This is how conventional power plants still operate.

#Different types of electrical grids generator#

In fact, transmission line or generator outages in one part of an interconnect can cause cascading blackouts to occur hundreds or thousands of miles away, as occurred during the 2003 Northeast blackout.īefore the advent of renewable energy resources, the primary type of electrical production was creating steam to spin a turbine, generating electricity. As a result, if you live in Boston, where EnergySage is located, you are electrically connected to people as far away as Florida. In fact, the Eastern and Western Interconnects even extend into neighboring countries.

In the US, the grid is split into three sections in the contiguous states: the Eastern Interconnect, the Western Interconnect, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

#Different types of electrical grids plus#

Grid operators, such as the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and the Pennsylvania-Jersey-Maryland Regional Transmission Operator (PJM RTO), maintain this balance through a mix of market awareness and insights plus forecasts of weather, demand, and supply, to provide low-cost and reliable electricity service.

#Different types of electrical grids series#

Keeping the grid functioning requires a delicate balance between supply and demand and a highly integrated series of components throughout the country.