What is the Power Grid … And How Does It Affect Me?

By Steven Sumpter, Project Manager for the Silver Run Electric Expansion Project

We all see headlines covering the clean energy transition that talk about the importance of modernizing “the grid.”

But what is the grid?

When you plug into an outlet, you are plugging into the grid – a complex, interconnected system that distributes electrical power across North America. When you flip a switch, the electricity powering the light is generated at virtually the same moment. The electricity zips to your home at nearly the speed of light. For that to happen, there must be enough generating capacity to meet the demand and enough installed infrastructure capacity to deliver that power to your home.

To be precise, the continental U.S. portion of the North American Grid consists of three separate interconnections, each comprising regional and local grids. Each grid, however, is made up of the same components: power generation, transmission of bulk power, and distribution to the consumer.

Delaware and New Jersey’s Place in the Grid

The Eastern Interconnection reaches from central Canada eastward to the Atlantic coast (excluding Québec), south to Florida, and west to the foot of the Rockies (excluding most of Texas). Within the Eastern Interconnection, the grid is further divided into subareas, each operating its regional transmission organization. Delaware and New Jersey are part of PJM Interconnection, which provides power to more than 65 million people in 13 eastern and central states and the District of Columbia.

The Electricity Supply Chain

Every component of the grid works together toward one goal: to ensure power is available for homes and businesses where it is needed when it is needed. Just like most other products you purchase, electricity arrives through a complex supply chain of manufacturing, transportation, and wholesale and retail distribution.

• It starts at the generating facilities that produce the bulk power. You can think of this as the manufacturing step.
• The power then flows across high-voltage transmission lines that can carry large amounts of power across long distances efficiently, just as trains and semi-trucks transport products from manufacturers. Substations, which are like railway switches or highway interchanges, allow the power to route to where it is needed.
• The local power company is similar to the retail store – it’s where you purchase your electricity. As power makes its way toward consumers, it is stepped down to cross lower voltage distribution lines like the ones you see along the roads where you live and work.

Matching Generation Capacity to Energy Needs

As you can see, the grid isn’t just a what, it’s a who: the organizations that manage the operation of the grid, the entities that own power generation plants, those that own transmission facilities, retail utilities, and others that serve customers. They all work together. The combination of infrastructure and operators that form the grid ensures power is available when you need it.

That’s a unique challenge, because electricity, unlike most commodities, must be generated at the instant it is needed. Depending on the time of day, season, weather, types of users, and many other variables, electricity use fluctuates across the grid. During times of peak demand, the generation facilities closest to your home may not be able to produce enough electricity, while another area has surplus capacity.

The grid makes it possible to balance demand and supply – ensuring everyone has the power they need, at the instant they need it.

The electrical grid is described by some as the largest and most complex machine ever built. Almost everything – financial transactions, transportation, manufacturing, healthcare, education, recreation, entertainment, agriculture and food production, and communication – as well as the lights and appliances in our homes – depends upon the grid.

The demands all these users place upon the grid are growing. Population grows and shifts locations; the transportation and manufacturing sectors are moving toward electrification and away from consuming fossil fuels; the transition toward the use of cleaner and renewable energy sources is occurring; and the massive power needs of data centers that drive our digitally connected world will all require substantial upgrades to the grid.

Strengthening the Grid for New Jersey and Delaware

 The Silver Run Expansion Project is one of these vital upgrades to strengthen the grid. The expansion will provide a more robust electric transmission connection between Delaware and southern New Jersey, enabling existing and new sources of power to meet the current and future needs of communities in both states and beyond.

To learn more about the Silver Run Expansion Project, visit: https://www.silverrunelectric.com/expansion/