The Electrical GridThe Electrical GridGeneration, Transmission and DistributionGeneration, Transmission and Distribution

What Makes Up The “Grid”?

What Makes Up The “Grid”?

Generation- Energy is generated by various means

Transmission-Voltage is stepped up using a transformer and energy is transferred across long distances

Distribution- Voltage is stepped down and distributed to final users

Generation- Energy is generated by various means

Transmission-Voltage is stepped up using a transformer and energy is transferred across long distances

Distribution- Voltage is stepped down and distributed to final users

What Makes Up The “Grid”?

What Makes Up The “Grid”?

What are some challenges the Grid currently faces?

What are some challenges the Grid currently faces?

Dynamic Demand

Government Policy Issues Funding to accommodate projected

growth of electricity demand Handling Deregulation

Integration of Renewable Sources

Dynamic Demand

Government Policy Issues Funding to accommodate projected

growth of electricity demand Handling Deregulation

Integration of Renewable Sources

Dynamic DemandDynamic Demand

Electricity is generated and used in real time

There is no practical existing method of storing electrical energy

Demand fluctuates with time of day, season and irregular weather patterns

Electricity is generated and used in real time

There is no practical existing method of storing electrical energy

Demand fluctuates with time of day, season and irregular weather patterns

Dynamic DemandDynamic Demand

Power generation companies must forecast demand and produce accordingly

They must also maintain a “spinning reserve” to account for unanticipated growth of demand

Spinning reserves result in transmission losses and ultimately lost revenue

Power generation companies must forecast demand and produce accordingly

They must also maintain a “spinning reserve” to account for unanticipated growth of demand

Spinning reserves result in transmission losses and ultimately lost revenue

Dynamic DemandDynamic Demand

Hourly Average Electricity Demand per Household 2007

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Time of Day

Dem

and (k

W)___

Graph by Paul Loesch

Dataset provided by Southern California Edison Viewed Oct. 23, 2007

Demand Changes with Seasons

Demand Changes with Seasons

Source: NJ.gov Viewed Oct. 23, 2007

Government Policy- Funding

Government Policy- Funding

Electricity Demand is projected to grow 41% by 2030 [1]

Electricity Demand is projected to grow 41% by 2030 [1]

Source: EIA Viewed Oct 23, 2007

Government Policy- Funding

Government Policy- Funding

Transmission investment declined in real dollar terms during the 23-year period from 1975 to 1998, and over the same time period transmission capacity relative to load declined in every NERC region. [2]

Transmission investment declined in real dollar terms during the 23-year period from 1975 to 1998, and over the same time period transmission capacity relative to load declined in every NERC region. [2]

Source: National Grid Viewed Oct.23, 2007

Government Policy- Deregulation

Government Policy- Deregulation

Energy Policy Act of 1992 separated transmission and generation

Stated goal was to provide consumers with more options and better pricing

Opposing viewpoints on whether deregulation was positive for consumers

Reliability problems resulted in government entities like The North American Reliability Council (NERC)

Energy Policy Act of 1992 separated transmission and generation

Stated goal was to provide consumers with more options and better pricing

Opposing viewpoints on whether deregulation was positive for consumers

Reliability problems resulted in government entities like The North American Reliability Council (NERC)

Problems with Deregulation

Problems with Deregulation

Recent BLACKOUTS are due to problems with deregulation

The new rules are described by one expert as “like having every player in an orchestra using their own tunes”. [3]

Recent BLACKOUTS are due to problems with deregulation

The new rules are described by one expert as “like having every player in an orchestra using their own tunes”. [3]

Source: Industrial Physicist Viewed Oct. 23, 2007

Consumer Price VariesConsumer Price VariesU.S. Residential Average Retail Price of Electricity by State, 2003 (Cents per kWh)U.S. Residential Average Retail Price of Electricity by State, 2003 (Cents per kWh)

Map provided by EIA Viewed Oct. 23, 2007

Possibilities for the FuturePossibilities for the Future

The SuperGrid [4]

Uses super cooled superconductors

Transfer hydrogen as well as electricity

No new major technological innovation is necessary!

The SuperGrid [4]

Uses super cooled superconductors

Transfer hydrogen as well as electricity

No new major technological innovation is necessary!

The SuperGridThe SuperGrid

Possibilities for the FuturePossibilities for the Future

PHEV (Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicles)Electric vehicles are driven during the

day when electrical demand is high, then plugged in to charge their batteries at night

Stabilizes some Dynamic Demand issuesGreatly reduces dependence on foreign

oilGreatly reduces carbon emissionsThis also requires NO major technological

innovation!

PHEV (Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicles)Electric vehicles are driven during the

day when electrical demand is high, then plugged in to charge their batteries at night

Stabilizes some Dynamic Demand issuesGreatly reduces dependence on foreign

oilGreatly reduces carbon emissionsThis also requires NO major technological

innovation!

Possibilities for the FuturePossibilities for the Future

Possible drawback to both The SuperGrid and PHEVs….

They both depend almost completely on nuclear

energy

Possible drawback to both The SuperGrid and PHEVs….

They both depend almost completely on nuclear

energy

Video on PHEVsVideo on PHEVs

CitationsCitations

[1] EIA http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/pdf/trend_3.pdf Viewed Oct. 23 2007

[2] National Grid http://www.nationalgridus.com/non_html/c3-3_NG_wind_policy.pdf Viewed Oct 23 2007

[3] October/November 2003 Issue of The Industrial Physicist Viewed Sept. 20, 2007

http://www.aip.org/tip/INPHFA/vol-9/iss-5/p8.pdf

[4] June 2006 Article from Scientific American http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006&colID=1&articleID=00003872-159C-1498-959C83414B7F0000 Viewed Oct 23 2007

[1] EIA http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/pdf/trend_3.pdf Viewed Oct. 23 2007

[2] National Grid http://www.nationalgridus.com/non_html/c3-3_NG_wind_policy.pdf Viewed Oct 23 2007

[3] October/November 2003 Issue of The Industrial Physicist Viewed Sept. 20, 2007

http://www.aip.org/tip/INPHFA/vol-9/iss-5/p8.pdf

[4] June 2006 Article from Scientific American http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006&colID=1&articleID=00003872-159C-1498-959C83414B7F0000 Viewed Oct 23 2007