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Energy and the Environment

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  1. Introduction
  2. Transport Fuels
    5 Topics
  3. Energy Sources: Fossil Fuels
    8 Topics
  4. Energy Sources: Renewables
    10 Topics
  5. Electricity
    10 Topics
  6. Energy Sources: Nuclear
    6 Topics
  7. Demand Response
    6 Topics
  8. Energy/Emissions Policy
    15 Topics
  9. Energy Economics
    2 Topics
    |
    1 Quiz
Lesson 5, Topic 4
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The Electricity Grid

Abdulaziz July 16, 2020
Lesson Progress
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  • Historically, electricity infrastructure was planned, owned and managed by a single ‘utility’ ie SECV)
  • Electricity networks today are generally comprised of private companies who manage:
    • generation
    • transmission
    • distribution
    • retailing
    • ancillary services
High voltage tower in mountains at sunset. Electricity pylon system
High voltage tower in mountains at sunset. Electricity pylon system

Physical grid components

ComponentDescription
Generatorscoal, gas, solar, wind etc power generators
Transformersconvert electricity from the generators into a high voltage form that
can be distributed
High
voltage
transmission lines
strings of lines on steel lattice towers that cover large distances
Substationsconvert high voltage to lower voltage for distribution in local areas
Distribution
network
‘capillary’ network of poles and wires that actually connects to end
users
Metersmeasure how much electricity is being used (or generated, in the
case of distributed generation sources like roof top solar)
electricity transmission pylon on lake
electricity transmission pylon on lake