Electrical grid - Revision history

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2021-12-20T19:47:17Z

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energy>Jmdonev at 23:54, 9 November 2021

2021-11-09T23:54:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:54, 9 November 2021
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	[[Category:Done ~~2020~~-02-29]]		[[Category:Done 2021-10-29]]
	[[Category:Translated to Spanish]]		[[Category:Translated to Spanish]]
	[[es:Red eléctrica]]		[[es:Red eléctrica]]

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2021-09-27T00:02:46Z

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energy>Ethan.boechler at 20:59, 10 September 2021

2021-09-10T20:59:12Z

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	[[Category:Done 2020-02-29]]		[[Category:Done 2020-02-29]]
			[[Category:Translated to Spanish]]
			[[es:Red eléctrica]]
			[[Category:Translated to French]]
			[[fr:Réseau électrique]]
	<onlyinclude>The '''electrical grid''' is the intricate system designed to provide [[electricity]] all the way from its [[electrical generation\|generation]] to the customers that use it for their daily needs. These systems have grown from small local designs, to stretching thousands of [[kilometer]]s and connecting millions of homes and businesses today.</onlyinclude>		<onlyinclude>The '''electrical grid''' is the intricate system designed to provide [[electricity]] all the way from its [[electrical generation\|generation]] to the customers that use it for their daily needs. These systems have grown from small local designs, to stretching thousands of [[kilometer]]s and connecting millions of homes and businesses today.</onlyinclude>

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2020-04-28T15:32:22Z

1 revision imported

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energy>Jmdonev at 22:40, 10 April 2020

2020-04-10T22:40:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:40, 10 April 2020
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	[[Category:Done ~~2018~~-05-18]]		[[Category:Done 2020-02-29]]
	<onlyinclude>The '''electrical grid''' is the intricate system designed to provide [[electricity]] all the way from its [[electrical generation\|generation]] to the customers that use it for their daily needs. These systems have grown from small local designs, to stretching thousands of [[kilometer]]s and connecting millions of homes and businesses today.</onlyinclude>		<onlyinclude>The '''electrical grid''' is the intricate system designed to provide [[electricity]] all the way from its [[electrical generation\|generation]] to the customers that use it for their daily needs. These systems have grown from small local designs, to stretching thousands of [[kilometer]]s and connecting millions of homes and businesses today.</onlyinclude>

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	===Generation===		===Generation===
	:''[[electrical generation\|main article]]''		:''[[electrical generation\|main article]]''
	Electricity begins in '''[[power plant]]s''' which work to convert [[mechanical energy]] of a [[turbine]] into [[electrical energy]] by the use of a [[generator]] (with the exception of [[solar power]], which uses [[photovoltaic cell]]s to accomplish this).<ref name=wolf>R. Wolfson, "Electricity" in ''Energy, Environment, and Climate'', 2nd ed., New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012, ch. 11, sec. 1, pp. 292-307</ref> Power plants require the [[energy]] from [[fuel]]s such as [[coal]] or [[natural gas]], or [[flow]]s, such as [[wind]] and [[sunlight]] in order to do this. These plants generate lots of electricity and are often far away from the demand for electricity; the next system (transmission) solves this problem.		Electricity begins in '''[[power plant]]s''' which work to convert [[mechanical energy]] of a [[turbine]] into [[electrical energy]] by the use of a [[generator]] (with the exception of [[solar power]], which uses [[photovoltaic cell]]s to accomplish this).<ref name=wolf>R. Wolfson, "Electricity" in ''Energy, Environment, and Climate'', 2nd ed., New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012, ch. 11, sec. 1, pp. 292-307</ref> Power plants require the [[energy]] from [[fuel]]s such as [[coal]] or [[natural gas]], or [[primary energy flow]]s, such as [[wind]] and [[sunlight]] in order to do this. These plants generate lots of electricity and are often far away from the demand for electricity; the next system (transmission) solves this problem.

	<gallery mode=packed heights=170px>		<gallery mode=packed heights=170px>
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	===Transmission===		===Transmission===
			[[File:electrical-863402_1280.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Large high voltage power lines are a crucial component to the grid as they transport electricity with little energy losses.<ref>Pixabay [Online], Available: https://pixabay.com/en/electrical-wires-grid-power-863402/</ref>]]
	:''[[electrical transmission\|main article]]''		:''[[electrical transmission\|main article]]''
	[[File:electrical-863402_1280.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Large high voltage power lines are a crucial component to the grid as they transport electricity with little energy losses.<ref>Pixabay [Online], Available: https://pixabay.com/en/electrical-wires-grid-power-863402/</ref>]]
	[[Electrical transmission]] is accomplished by the use of '''power lines'''. Electricity exiting the power plant passes through a transmission station where the electricity is "stepped-up". This means that the voltage is increased, with a proportional decrease in the [[electric current]] (the amount of [[electron]]s that are flowing per second). This increase in voltage is accomplished by a [[transformer]]. This electricity can flow long distances, with a typical maximum distance being around 500 kilometers.<ref name=hsw>Brain, Marshall, and Dave Roos. (August 4, 2015). ''How Power Grids Work'' [Online], Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/power.htm</ref>		[[Electrical transmission]] is accomplished by the use of '''power lines'''. Electricity exiting the power plant passes through a transmission station where the electricity is "stepped-up". This means that the voltage is increased, with a proportional decrease in the [[electric current]] (the amount of [[electron]]s that are flowing per second). This increase in voltage is accomplished by a [[transformer]]. This electricity can flow long distances, with a typical maximum distance being around 500 kilometers.<ref name=hsw>Brain, Marshall, and Dave Roos. (August 4, 2015). ''How Power Grids Work'' [Online], Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/power.htm</ref>

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	===Distribution===		===Distribution===
			[[File:4624935949_5d81aacfbe_z.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|Figure 2. Pad mounted transformer for electrical distribution.<ref>sdpitbull via Flickr [Online], Available: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevestr/4624935949</ref>]]
	:''[[distribution grid\|main article]]''		:''[[distribution grid\|main article]]''
	[[File:4624935949_5d81aacfbe_z.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|Figure 2. Pad mounted transformer for electrical distribution.<ref>sdpitbull via Flickr [Online], Available: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevestr/4624935949</ref>]]
	The distribution of electricity first begins with distribution [[substation]]s that use "step-down" transformers, which perform the opposite task of the "step-up" transformer. The voltages of long distance transmission are unsafe for people to handle, so these step-down transformers bring the voltage down to safer levels. The [[distribution grid]] then connects these substations to the customers that require electricity, ranging from large industrial buildings to small homes. More substations and smaller transformers (such as the green boxes seen in Figure 2) help to further lower the voltages, and divide the electricity among subdivisions.<Ref name=hsw/>		The distribution of electricity first begins with distribution [[substation]]s that use "step-down" transformers, which perform the opposite task of the "step-up" transformer. The voltages of long distance transmission are unsafe for people to handle, so these step-down transformers bring the voltage down to safer levels. The [[distribution grid]] then connects these substations to the customers that require electricity, ranging from large industrial buildings to small homes. More substations and smaller transformers (such as the green boxes seen in Figure 2) help to further lower the voltages, and divide the electricity among subdivisions.<Ref name=hsw/>

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2018-05-18T22:53:10Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 22:53, 18 May 2018
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Jmdonev at 21:52, 11 May 2018

2018-05-11T21:52:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:52, 11 May 2018
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	[[Category:Done ~~2015~~-09-06]]		[[Category:Done 2018-05-18]]
	<onlyinclude>The '''electrical grid''' is the intricate system designed to provide [[electricity]] all the way from its generation to the customers that use it for their daily needs. These systems have grown from small local designs to ~~what they are today,~~ stretching thousands of [[kilometer]]s and connecting millions of homes and businesses.</onlyinclude>		<onlyinclude>The '''electrical grid''' is the intricate system designed to provide [[electricity]] all the way from its [[electrical generation\|generation]] to the customers that use it for their daily needs. These systems have grown from small local designs, to stretching thousands of [[kilometer]]s and connecting millions of homes and businesses today.</onlyinclude>

	The grid consists of countless complex interconnections, however there are three main ~~sections -~~ '''[[electricity generation]]''', '''[[electrical transmission\|transmission]]''' and '''[[distribution grid\|distribution]]'''.		The grid consists of countless complex interconnections, however there are three main sections—'''[[electricity generation]]''', '''[[electrical transmission\|transmission]]''' and '''[[distribution grid\|distribution]]'''.

	===Generation===		===Generation===
	:''[[electrical generation\|main article]]''		:''[[electrical generation\|main article]]''
	Electricity begins in '''[[power plant]]s''' which work to convert [[mechanical energy]] of a [[turbine]] into [[electrical energy]] by the use of a [[generator]] (with the exception of [[solar power]], which uses [[photovoltaic cell]]s to accomplish this).<ref name=wolf>R. Wolfson, "Electricity" in ''Energy, Environment, and Climate'', 2nd ed., New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012, ch. 11, sec. 1, pp. 292-307</ref> Power plants require the [[energy]] from [[fuel]]s such as [[coal]] or [[natural gas]], or [[flow]]s, such as [[wind]] and [[sunlight]], in order to do this. These plants generate lots of electricity and are often far away from the demand for electricity; the next system solves this problem.		Electricity begins in '''[[power plant]]s''' which work to convert [[mechanical energy]] of a [[turbine]] into [[electrical energy]] by the use of a [[generator]] (with the exception of [[solar power]], which uses [[photovoltaic cell]]s to accomplish this).<ref name=wolf>R. Wolfson, "Electricity" in ''Energy, Environment, and Climate'', 2nd ed., New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012, ch. 11, sec. 1, pp. 292-307</ref> Power plants require the [[energy]] from [[fuel]]s such as [[coal]] or [[natural gas]], or [[flow]]s, such as [[wind]] and [[sunlight]] in order to do this. These plants generate lots of electricity and are often far away from the demand for electricity; the next system (transmission) solves this problem.

	<gallery mode=packed heights=170px>		<gallery mode=packed heights=170px>
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	:''[[electrical transmission\|main article]]''		:''[[electrical transmission\|main article]]''
	[[File:electrical-863402_1280.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Large high voltage power lines are a crucial component to the grid as they transport electricity with little energy losses.<ref>Pixabay [Online], Available: https://pixabay.com/en/electrical-wires-grid-power-863402/</ref>]]		[[File:electrical-863402_1280.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Large high voltage power lines are a crucial component to the grid as they transport electricity with little energy losses.<ref>Pixabay [Online], Available: https://pixabay.com/en/electrical-wires-grid-power-863402/</ref>]]
	[[Electrical transmission]] is accomplished by the use of '''power lines'''. Electricity exiting the power plant passes through a transmission station where the electricity is "stepped-up". This means that the voltage is increased, with a proportional decrease in the [[current]] (the amount of [[electron]]s that are flowing per second). This increase in voltage is accomplished by a [[transformer]]. This electricity can flow long distances, with a typical maximum distance being around 500 kilometers.<ref name=hsw>Brain, Marshall, and Dave Roos. (August 4, 2015). ''How Power Grids Work'' [Online], Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/power.htm</ref>		[[Electrical transmission]] is accomplished by the use of '''power lines'''. Electricity exiting the power plant passes through a transmission station where the electricity is "stepped-up". This means that the voltage is increased, with a proportional decrease in the [[electric current]] (the amount of [[electron]]s that are flowing per second). This increase in voltage is accomplished by a [[transformer]]. This electricity can flow long distances, with a typical maximum distance being around 500 kilometers.<ref name=hsw>Brain, Marshall, and Dave Roos. (August 4, 2015). ''How Power Grids Work'' [Online], Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/power.htm</ref>

	The reason that step-up transformers are used is because when travelling long distances through a conducting [[wire]], electricity will inevitably lose energy to [[resistance]]. This problem is essentially solved (not completely, but to an acceptable level) by the use of high [[voltage]] power lines. The corresponding power loss in the lines decreases by the ''square'' of the current, meaning that if the current dropped by a factor of 2, the power loss drops by a factor of 4.<ref name=wolf/>		The reason that step-up transformers are used is because when travelling long distances through a conducting [[wire]], electricity will inevitably lose energy to [[resistance]]. This problem is essentially solved (not completely, but to an acceptable level) by the use of high [[voltage]] power lines. The corresponding power loss in the lines decreases by the ''square'' of the current, meaning that if the current dropped by a factor of 2, the power loss drops by a factor of 4.<ref name=wolf/>
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	==Basic grid setup==		==Basic grid setup==

	The image below shows a simple grid setup. In reality there are many more of each system connected to the grid, however for a conceptual grasp this image should demonstrate how interconnected even a simple grid may be.		The image below shows a simple grid setup. In reality there are many more of each system connected to the grid, however, for a conceptual grasp this image should demonstrate how interconnected even a simple grid may be.

	[[File:gridschematic.png\|600px\|thumb\|center\|Figure 3. Basic layout of an electrical grid.<ref>Wikimedia Commons [Online], Available: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Electricity_Grid_Schematic_English.svg</ref>]]		[[File:gridschematic.png\|600px\|thumb\|center\|Figure 3. Basic layout of an electrical grid.<ref>Wikimedia Commons [Online], Available: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Electricity_Grid_Schematic_English.svg</ref>]]

			== For Further Reading ==
			For further information please see the related pages below:
			*[[Direct current]]
			*[[Electrical generation]]
			*[[Electrical transmission]]
			*[[Distribution grid]]
			*[[Transformer]]
			*[[Connecting homes to the electrical grid ]]
			*[[Energy for electricity by country]]
			* Or explore a [[Special:Random\| random page!]]

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}[[Category:Uploaded]]		{{reflist}}
	~~[[category: Mark edit~~]]		[[Category:Uploaded]]

J.williams: 1 revision imported

2015-09-18T16:51:36Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 16:51, 18 September 2015
(No difference)

Jmdonev at 20:08, 17 September 2015

2015-09-17T20:08:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:08, 17 September 2015
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	[[Category:Done 2015-08-21]]		[[Category:Done 2015-09-06]]
	<onlyinclude>The '''electrical grid''' is the intricate system designed to provide [[electricity]] all the way from its generation to the customers that use it for their daily needs. These systems have grown from small local designs to what they are today, stretching thousands of [[kilometer]]s and connecting millions of homes and businesses.</onlyinclude>		<onlyinclude>The '''electrical grid''' is the intricate system designed to provide [[electricity]] all the way from its generation to the customers that use it for their daily needs. These systems have grown from small local designs to what they are today, stretching thousands of [[kilometer]]s and connecting millions of homes and businesses.</onlyinclude>

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	===Generation===		===Generation===
	:''[[electrical generation\|main article]]''		:''[[electrical generation\|main article]]''
	Electricity begins in '''[[power plant]]s''' which work to convert [[mechanical energy]] of a [[turbine]] into [[electrical energy]] by the use of a [[generator]] (with the exception of solar power, which uses [[photovoltaic cell]]s to accomplish this).<ref name=wolf>R. Wolfson, "Electricity" in ''Energy, Environment, and Climate'', 2nd ed., New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012, ch. 11, sec. 1, pp. 292-307</ref> Power plants require the energy from [[fuel]]s such as [[coal]] or [[natural gas]], or [[flow]]s, such as [[wind]] and [[sunlight]], in order to do this. These plants generate lots of electricity and are often far away from the demand for electricity; the next system solves this problem.		Electricity begins in '''[[power plant]]s''' which work to convert [[mechanical energy]] of a [[turbine]] into [[electrical energy]] by the use of a [[generator]] (with the exception of [[solar power]], which uses [[photovoltaic cell]]s to accomplish this).<ref name=wolf>R. Wolfson, "Electricity" in ''Energy, Environment, and Climate'', 2nd ed., New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012, ch. 11, sec. 1, pp. 292-307</ref> Power plants require the [[energy]] from [[fuel]]s such as [[coal]] or [[natural gas]], or [[flow]]s, such as [[wind]] and [[sunlight]], in order to do this. These plants generate lots of electricity and are often far away from the demand for electricity; the next system solves this problem.

	<gallery mode=packed heights=170px>		<gallery mode=packed heights=170px>
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	:''[[electrical transmission\|main article]]''		:''[[electrical transmission\|main article]]''
	[[File:electrical-863402_1280.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Large high voltage power lines are a crucial component to the grid as they transport electricity with little energy losses.<ref>Pixabay [Online], Available: https://pixabay.com/en/electrical-wires-grid-power-863402/</ref>]]		[[File:electrical-863402_1280.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Large high voltage power lines are a crucial component to the grid as they transport electricity with little energy losses.<ref>Pixabay [Online], Available: https://pixabay.com/en/electrical-wires-grid-power-863402/</ref>]]
	[[Electrical transmission]] is accomplished by the use of '''power lines'''. Electricity exiting the power plant passes through a transmission station where the electricity is "stepped-up". This means that the voltage is increased, with a proportional decrease in the current (the amount of [[electron]]s that are flowing per second). This increase in voltage is accomplished by a [[transformer]]. This electricity can flow long distances, with a typical maximum distance being around 500 kilometers.<ref name=hsw>Brain, Marshall, and Dave Roos. (August 4, 2015). ''How Power Grids Work'' [Online], Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/power.htm</ref>		[[Electrical transmission]] is accomplished by the use of '''power lines'''. Electricity exiting the power plant passes through a transmission station where the electricity is "stepped-up". This means that the voltage is increased, with a proportional decrease in the [[current]] (the amount of [[electron]]s that are flowing per second). This increase in voltage is accomplished by a [[transformer]]. This electricity can flow long distances, with a typical maximum distance being around 500 kilometers.<ref name=hsw>Brain, Marshall, and Dave Roos. (August 4, 2015). ''How Power Grids Work'' [Online], Available: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/energy/power.htm</ref>

	The reason that step-up transformers are used is because when travelling long distances through a conducting [[wire]], electricity will inevitably lose energy to [[resistance]]. This problem is essentially solved (not completely, but to an acceptable level) by the use of high [[voltage]] power lines. The corresponding power loss in the lines decreases by the ''square'' of the current, meaning that if the current dropped by a factor of 2, the power loss drops by a factor of 4.<ref name=wolf/>		The reason that step-up transformers are used is because when travelling long distances through a conducting [[wire]], electricity will inevitably lose energy to [[resistance]]. This problem is essentially solved (not completely, but to an acceptable level) by the use of high [[voltage]] power lines. The corresponding power loss in the lines decreases by the ''square'' of the current, meaning that if the current dropped by a factor of 2, the power loss drops by a factor of 4.<ref name=wolf/>
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	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}[[Category:Uploaded]]		{{reflist}}[[Category:Uploaded]]
			[[category: Mark edit]]