Wiktor Wise
The North American electric grid is divided into multiple wide-area synchronous grids. The Eastern Interconnection and the Western Interconnection are the largest, covering states east and west of the Rocky Mountains, respectively. The Texas Interconnection covers most of the state of Texas, while the Quebec Interconnection and Alaska Interconnection are smaller grids. These grids are tied together at various points, allowing power transmission throughout the contiguous U.S., Canada, and parts of Mexico. The U.S. electric grid has been under increasing strain due to climate change and the threat of cyberattacks, and there is a growing need to transition to cleaner energy sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of major regions | 3 |
| Names of the major regions | Eastern Interconnection, Western Interconnection, Texas Interconnection |
| Area covered by Eastern Interconnection | States east of the Rocky Mountains |
| Area covered by Western Interconnection | Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountain states |
| Area covered by Texas Interconnection | Most of the state of Texas |
| Organization overseeing the grid | North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) |
| NERC's mission | To "ensure the reliability of the North American bulk power system" |
| Number of regional reliability entities overseen by NERC | 8 |
| Area covered by NERC | All interconnected power systems of the contiguous United States, Canada, and a portion of Mexico |
| Area covered by the national electric grid | Lower 48 states |
| Number of power plants in the US power grid | Over 7,300 |
| Length of high-voltage power lines in the US power grid | Nearly 160,000 miles |
| Length of low-voltage power lines in the US power grid | Millions of miles |
| Number of customers connected to the US power grid | 145 million |
| Number of states with competitive retail electricity markets | 24 (e.g., California, Texas, and most states in the Northeast) |
| Number of states and territories with retail choice | 18, plus Washington, D.C. |
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What You'll Learn
The Eastern Interconnection
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, that oversees eight regional reliability entities and encompasses all of the interconnected power systems of the contiguous United States, Canada, and a portion of Baja California in Mexico. NERC's mission is to "ensure the reliability of the North American bulk power system".
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The Western Interconnection
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is the international regulatory authority overseeing the reliability and security of the grid in the US, Canada, and Mexico. NERC works with stakeholders to develop and enforce standards for power system operation and has eight regional entities, including WECC, that cover the interconnected power systems of the 48 contiguous states and portions of Canada and Mexico.
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The Texas Interconnection
ERCOT is responsible for maintaining system reliability, facilitating competitive wholesale and retail market spaces, and ensuring open access to transmission. It does not own or operate any assets on the Texas power grid but works with the Texas Reliability Entity (TRE), one of eight regional entities within NERC that coordinate to improve the reliability of the bulk power grid. ERCOT also performs financial settlements for the competitive wholesale bulk-power market and administers retail switching for 7 million premises in competitive choice areas.
In summary, the Texas Interconnection is a unique power grid that covers most of Texas, managed by ERCOT to supply power to 26 million customers. It is maintained as a separate grid to avoid federal regulation but has ties to other grids in the Eastern Interconnection and Mexico, allowing for the transfer of power during emergencies or commercial use.
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The Alaska Interconnection
The ASCC was formed in 1983 and is an affiliate member of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). The Alaska Interconnection is the smallest individual power transmission grid in North America in terms of both physical area and electricity generated. In 2015, the Alaska Interconnection generated 2,601 gigawatt hours of electricity, with natural gas accounting for 1,219 GWh. The average rates for electricity are $0.18 per kWh, the second-highest price in the United States after Hawaii.
Both parts of the Alaska Interconnection generate electricity at a synchronous speed of 60 Hz, the frequency common to North America. Electricity is delivered to homes and small businesses in the same manner as in Canada and the contiguous United States, with a split-phase 120/240 volt service.
In 2014, a proposal was made to the Alaska Energy Authority to create an interconnector to the Western Interconnection of British Columbia. The goal was to bring cleaner and cheaper power to Alaska, but as of 2016, no further work had been completed due to economic feasibility.
The Eastern Interconnection and the Western Interconnection are the two largest grids in North America. These two grids are connected via seven links that allow 1.32 GW of power to flow between them.
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The Quebec Interconnection
The Hydro-Québec electricity transmission system pioneered the use of very high-voltage 735-kilovolt (kV) alternating current (AC) power lines. These power lines link the population centres of Montreal and Quebec City to distant hydroelectric power stations. The system contains more than 34,187 kilometres (21,243 mi) of lines and 530 electrical substations. The voltage of AC 735 kV is used to transmit and distribute electrical power produced from Hydro-Québec's dams, although 315 kV is also used. The physical size of the 735 kV transmission lines is unmatched in North America, with only two other utility companies in the same region containing at least one 765 kV line in their power system.
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Frequently asked questions
The U.S. electric grid is divided into three major regions: The Eastern Interconnection, the Western Interconnection, and the Texas Interconnection.
The Eastern Interconnection covers the states east of the Rocky Mountains. The Western Interconnection covers the area from the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountain states.
The Texas Interconnection covers most of the state of Texas.
Yes, there are two other interconnectors in North America: the Quebec Interconnection and the Alaska Interconnection.
Having multiple interconnectors provides redundancy, which helps to prevent service interruptions in the event of local failures. It also allows for the optimal siting of generators and maintains the stability and reliability of the grid by providing multiple pathways for power to flow.
