powergrid

The power grid, or electrical grid, is the interconnected network that delivers electricity from producers to consumers. It encompasses generation facilities, high-voltage transmission lines, substations, distribution networks, and the control systems that coordinate supply and demand. Most grids operate as wide-area, synchronous alternating-current networks, though high-voltage direct current links are used to connect distant or asynchronous regions.

Generation sources range from fossil fuels and nuclear to hydro, wind, solar, and other renewables. Transmission lines carry electricity at high voltages to minimize losses, linking power plants to regional substations. Substations step voltage down for distribution networks that deliver power to homes and businesses through lower-voltage lines and transformers. Control centers monitor grid conditions and perform real-time balancing of supply and demand.

Reliable operation requires maintaining system frequency and voltage within narrow limits. Ancillary services such as frequency regulation, reserve capacity, and voltage support help sustain stability. Markets and planning are typically organized by regional operators, with entities such as independent system operators or regional transmission organizations coordinating generation, transmission, outages, and grid reliability.

Grids are increasingly interconnected across regions and national borders, enabling energy exchange and enhanced reliability. Technologies such as HVDC links, synchronous generation, sensors, and advanced automation form the modern grid, sometimes referred to as the smart grid. The integration of distributed energy resources, energy storage, and demand response presents opportunities for efficiency but also challenges in reliability, cybersecurity, and grid planning.