The Electric Grid
An electrical grid is a network used to deliver electricity to those who need it that consists of stations producing power, transmission lines (arriving at a substation), and distribution lines to connect individuals. One major concern with electrical grids is their age: they may use old equipment, outdated engineering, and illogical grid layouts. The grid that powers North America is made of Eastern Interconnection, Western Interconnection, Texas Interconnection, Quebec Interconnection, and the Alaska Interconnection who, while not directly connected or synchronized, share some high-voltage, direct current (HVDC) electric power transmission systems, which use DC to transmit power.
An electrical grid is a network used to deliver electricity to those who need it that consists of stations producing power, transmission lines (arriving at a substation), and distribution lines to connect individuals. One major concern with electrical grids is their age: they may use old equipment, outdated engineering, and illogical grid layouts. The grid that powers North America is made of Eastern Interconnection, Western Interconnection, Texas Interconnection, Quebec Interconnection, and the Alaska Interconnection who, while not directly connected or synchronized, share some high-voltage, direct current (HVDC) electric power transmission systems, which use DC to transmit power.
Grid Failure?
While we’ve all dealt with power outages, the effects of a grid failure would be much worse. One example would be the overload of cell towers with everyone trying to call people, thus cutting off all communication (no internet, no working phones – except possibly a landline, no GPS). ATMs would shut down, refrigeration and freezer failures would spoil food in stores, traffic lights would turn out, water sanitation plants would stop working, and, of course, nuclear plants would be unable to cool. For an example of life without power, look at the situation in Puerto Rico, which has become the longest blackout in US history. According to Time, less than 20% of the grid has been restored and only 25% of hospitals are receiving power. Recently, an explosion at a substation caused another blackout, further setting back effort.
While we’ve all dealt with power outages, the effects of a grid failure would be much worse. One example would be the overload of cell towers with everyone trying to call people, thus cutting off all communication (no internet, no working phones – except possibly a landline, no GPS). ATMs would shut down, refrigeration and freezer failures would spoil food in stores, traffic lights would turn out, water sanitation plants would stop working, and, of course, nuclear plants would be unable to cool. For an example of life without power, look at the situation in Puerto Rico, which has become the longest blackout in US history. According to Time, less than 20% of the grid has been restored and only 25% of hospitals are receiving power. Recently, an explosion at a substation caused another blackout, further setting back effort.