INTERCONNECTED GENERATION OF POWER

PLANTS/ ELECTRICAL GRID

>THE ELECTRICAL GRID IS A NETWORK THROUGH
WHICH POWER IS GENERATED, TRANSMITTED AND
DISTRIBUTED TO CONSUMERS.
>IT IS BROADLY MADE UP OF THREE MAIN
COMPONENTS.
 .

 THERE ARE SEVERAL KEY PIECES OF

INFRASTRUCTURE THAT ARE BUILT TO SUPPORT
DELIVERY OF ELECTRICITY TO CONSUMERS.
TRANSFORMERS
  Where electricity is
produced
 Infrastructure that allows
electricity to be
transported over long
distances.
TRANSFORME  Where elec voltage is
increased or decreased
RS  TRANSFORMERS-
Mechanisms to increase
or decrease elec. Voltage
 Infrastructure similar to
transmission lines but for
lower voltages of
electricity.
 THE grid was constructed to solve the
problem of geographic separation between
electricty production and consumption.
Electricity is often produced far from where it
is used , so infrastructure needs to be built
between the two.
 Prior to the invention of the modern grid, electricity
producers each developed their own distribution
system for delivering electricity to consumers. This
system was costly and often led to UNDERUSED
INFRASTRUCTURE AND WASTED ELECRICITY.
The modern grid was invented to allow various
producers to share infrastructure
.

 After electricity is
generated, voltage
is set up at a
substation.
 This voltage increase allow electricity to travel long
distances while mini-mising the amount of electricity loss.
 The elctricity then travels along transmission lines either
over-head or underground ( depending on the
infrastructure, ofcourse.)
. .
.
 Once it reaches its
destination, another
substation steps the
voltage down, to a level,
suitable for distribution
lines to deliver electricity
to consumers.
 The electrical grid
provides electricity to
various consumers for
various needs.
. .
.

 For instance, industrial

consumers are large
facilities like
manufacturing plants.
 Commercial consumers
are like hotels with
high raised up towers.
 Residential consumers
are individual homes.
.

 The smart grid is this generations answer to the elecrtical

grid’s short comings.
 The smart grid is simply the electrical grid enhanced by
. .
INFORMATION-TECHNOLOGY
.

 This turns the electrical grid into an intelligent

network that allows for real time information about
electricity production and consumption .