Energy Basics: Electricity generation, transmission and distribution

Powerful Connections: electricity generation, transmission and distribution

No time to wait

In the continental U.S., one big, interconnected grid of transmission lines carries electricity to population centers. Utilities are obligated by law to provide uninterrupted service to their customers at all times. Many different generating sites feed the grid, drawing on nearly every source of energy - natural gas, oil, coal, nuclear and renewables.

Supply and demand

Another challenge is that electricity is not easily stored. As a result, more energy than is necessary must be available to meet demand at any given time.

Smoothing out the peaks

Imagine a sticky hot summer day. You and your friends, family, and colleagues all crank up the air conditioning to try to cool off - and so do people all across the region. This is considered peak demand.

Time-Of-Use-Rates

Time-of-use-rates, where available, enable you to save money if you can shift the time when you use appliances that consume a lot of energy to off-peak hours. Using less electricity during peak times saves money for everyone because this is when electricity is most expensive, and it reduces the need for additional infrastructure.

Build a Grid

Can you deliver electricity to your home?

Connect each part of the electric grid in order to complete the circuit. If you do it correctly, the light will go on!

1 - Power Plants

Large center generating stations produce electricity from sources that include nature gas, nuclear, oil or even renewables.

2 - Power Transformers

When electricity leaves a power plant, transformers boost up the voltage so it can travel faster and more efficiently.

3 - High-Voltage Transmission Lines

Just like super highways, these lines quickly transport large amounts of electricity to load centers.

4 - Bulk Substations

Substations lower the voltage of electricity.

5 - Distribution Lines

These lines carry lower voltage electricity to cities and neighborhoods.

6 - Distribution Substation

Substations help control voltage along the distribution path.

7 - Distribution Transformers

Small transformers are mounted on poles or in utility boxes along the street to regulate and distribute electricity to the community.

8 - Home

When you flick on a switch or plug in the radio, electricity enters your home. It passes through a meter for billing and then it can be used to heat up your house, cook a meal, or turn on your lights.

Distributed Generation

Distributed sources of electricity like solar panels, wind turbine or fuel cell are usually located closer to homes or businesses, and can supply additional electricity to the grid or directly to your home.

Build a Natural Gas System

Can you deliver natural gas to your home or business?

Using natural gas as a source of electricity requires a different delivery system than the traditional electric grid.

Connect each part of the system in order to deliver natural gas to the homes and businesses in your community. If you do it correctly, the light will go on!

1 - Wellhead

Natural gas is usually found deep underground and is reached by drilling wells. Wellheads sit on top of the wells to control the flow of the gas out of the well and into the system.

2 - Processing Plant

Before natural gas can be transported or used by consumers, it must be purified.

3 - Compressor Station

Compressor stations help boost pressure in the system to keep the gas flowing through the pipeline.

4 - Transmission Pipeline

Just like highways, interstate pipelines crisscross the country, transporting large amounts of natural gas to areas of high demand such as heavily populated urban areas.

5 - Underground Storage

Natural gas that is not needed right away is held in storage facilities to ensure a steady, reliable supply of natural gas when it is needed most.

6 - City Gate Station

A local utility connects to the interstate pipeline at a "city gate," which lowers the pressure of the gas so it can be used in homes or businesses.

7 - LNG Supplemental Plant

Natural gas also can be stored safely above ground in liquid form and used for peak demand days.

8 - Distribution System

The last step in the process uses an extensive network of smaller pipes to deliver natural gas from the city gate to individual customers in a specific geographic area.

Home and Business

When natural gas reaches your home or business it can be used for space and water heating, cooling, and cooking.