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Grid (electricity)
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An electrical grid is an interconnected network for delivering electricity from suppliers to consumers.
referring to the power industry, "grid" is a term used for an electricity network which may support all or some of the following three distinct operations:
- Electricity generation
- Electric power transmission
- Electricity distribution
The sense of grid is as a network, and should not be taken to imply a particular physical layout, or breadth.
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Encyclopedia
An electrical grid is an interconnected network for delivering electricity from suppliers to consumers.
Overview
When referring to the power industry, "grid" is a term used for an electricity network which may support all or some of the following three distinct operations:
- Electricity generation
- Electric power transmission
- Electricity distribution
The sense of grid is as a network, and should not be taken to imply a particular physical layout, or breadth. "Grid" may be used to refer to an entire continent's electrical network, a regional transmission network or may be used to describe a subnetwork such as a local utility's transmission grid or distribution grid.
Electricity in a remote location might be provided by a simple distribution grid linking a central generator to homes. The traditional paradigm for moving electricity around in developed countries is more complex. Generating plants are usually located near a source of water, and away from heavily populated areas. They are usually quite large in order to take advantage of the Economies of scale. The electric power which is generated is stepped up to a higher voltage -- at which it connects to the transmission network. The transmission network will move (wheel) the power long distances -- often across state lines, and sometimes across international boundaries -- until it reaches its wholesale customer (usually the company that owns the local distribution network.) Upon arrival at the substation, the power will be stepped down in voltage -- from a transmission level voltage to a distribution level voltage. As it exits the substation, it enters the distribution wiring. Finally, upon arrival at the service location, the power is stepped down again from the distribution voltage to the required service voltage(s).
This traditional centralized model along with its distinctions are breaking down with the introduction of new technologies. For example, the characteristics of power generation can in some new grids be entirely opposite of those listed above. Generation can occur at low levels in dispersed locations, in highly populated areas, and not outside the distribution grids. Such characteristics could be attractive for some locales, and can be implemented if the grid uses a combination of new design options such as net metering, electric cars as a temporary energy source, or distributed generation.
Features
Structure of electricity networks
The structure, or "topology" of a grid can vary considerably. The physical layout is often forced by what land is available and its geology. The logical topology can vary depending on the constraints of budget, requirements for system reliability, and the load and generation characteristics. The cheapest and simplest topology for a distribution or transmission grid is a radial structure. This is a tree shape where power from a large supply radiates out into progressively lower voltage lines until the destination homes and businesses are reached. Most transmission grids require the reliability that more complex mesh networks provide. If one were to imagine running redundant lines between each limb and branch of a tree that could be turned in case any particular limb of the tree were severed, then this image approximates how a mesh system operates. The expense of mesh topologies restrict their application to transmission and medium voltage distribution grids. Redundancy allows line failures to occur and power is simply rerouted while workmen repair the damaged and deactivated line.
Other topologies used are looped systems found in Europe and "tied ring" networks.
In cities and towns of North America, the grid tends to follow the classic "radially fed" design. A substation receives its power from the transmission network, the power is stepped down with a transformer and sent to a bus from which feeders fan out in all directions across the countryside. These feeders carry three-phase power, and tend to follow the major streets near the substation. As the distance from the substation grows, the fanout continues as smaller laterals spread out to cover areas missed by the feeders. This tree-like structure grows outward from the substation, but for reliability reasons, usually contains at least one unused backup connection to a nearby substation. This connection can be enabled in case of an emergency, so that a portion of a substation's service territory can be alternatively fed by another substation.
Utilities are under pressure to evolve their classic topologies to accommodate distributed generation. As generation becomes more common from rooftop solar and wind generators, the differences between distribution and transmission grids will continue to blur.
Redundancy
A town is only said to have achieved grid connection when it is connected to several redundant sources, generally involving long-distance transmission.
This redundancy is limited. Existing national or regional grids simply provide the interconnection of facilities to utilize whatever redundancy is available. The exact stage of development at which the supply structure becomes a grid is arbitrary. Similarly, the term national grid is something of an anachronism in many parts of the world, as transmission cables now frequently cross national boundaries. The terms distribution grid for local connections and transmission grid for long-distance transmissions are therefore preferred, but national grid is often still used for the overall structure.
Modern trends
Deregulation
The three components of a complete grid: generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power, can all be found in most large utilities. A utility can be completely self-sufficient, but finds it advantageous to have the opportunity to buy and sell power to and from neighboring utilities. This improves their reliability, and that of their neighbors. Utilities are often awarded a "monopoly" status (at least at the distribution level) simply because it doesn't make sense to have competing utilities installing their hardware in the same location as another utility. The idea of a monopoly becomes less compelling as one considers the generation of electrical power. Wildly varying costs for the production of electricity, and the opportunity to encourage free market competition spurs many legislatures to move towards deregulation of the electric utilities (also known as "liberalization" in some parts of the world.) The idea of de-regulation usually involves the separation of the generation, transmission, and distribution operations into separate financial entities. Generation assets in particular can often be sold-off in piecemeal fashion to the highest bidders. With the aging infrastructure present at many utilities, and the pressure to de-regulate, there are numerous opportunities to re-engineer the system.
Transitioning utilities from regulated monopolies to a deregulated market has run into a number of challenges such as those surfaced by the California electricity crisis.
Demand response
Demand response is a grid management technique where retail or wholesale customers are requested either electronically or manually to reduce their load. Currently, transmission grid operators use demand response to request load reduction from major energy users such as industrial plants.
Distributed generation
With everything interconnected, and open competition occurring in a free market economy, it starts to make sense to allow and even encourage distributed generation (DG). Smaller generators, usually not owned by the utility, can be brought on-line to help supply the need for power. The smaller generation facility might be a home-owner with excess power from his solar panel or wind turbine. It might be a small office with a diesel generator. These resources can be brought on-line either at the utility's behest, or by owner of the generation in an effort to sell electricity. Many small generators are allowed to sell electricity back to the grid for the same price they would pay to buy it.
Smart grid
Numerous efforts are underway to develop a "smart grid". In the U.S., the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and Title XIII of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
are providing funding to encourage smart grid development. The hope is to enable utilities to better predict their needs, and in some cases involve consumers in some form of time-of-use based tariff. Funds have also been allocated to develop more robust energy control technologies.
Super grid
Various planned and proposed systems to dramatically increase transmission capacity are known as super, or mega grids. The promised benefits include enabling the renewable energy industry to sell electricity to distant markets, the ability to increase usage of intermittent energy sources by balancing them across vast geological regions, and the removal of congestion that prevents electricity markets from flourishing. Local opposition to siting new lines and the significant cost of these projects are major obstacles to super grids.
See also
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