Otis Singleton
The electric supply system is a network of electrical components that supply, transfer, and use electric power. It is also known as the electrical grid, which provides power to homes and industries. The electrical grid can be divided into three parts: generators that supply power, the transmission system that carries power from the generating centres to load centres, and the distribution system that feeds power to homes and industries. The electric supply system has evolved over the last 120 years, from isolated generators to an interregional grid. The system is owned by a mix of entities, including investor-owned utilities and publicly-owned utilities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | An electrical supply system is a network of electrical components deployed to supply, transfer, and use electric power. |
| Types of Systems | AC and DC |
| Components | Generating stations, transmission lines, and distribution systems |
| Power Sources | External or internal to the system, e.g. batteries, fuel cells, photovoltaic cells, turbo generators |
| Voltage | Power is generated at low voltage, then stepped up for transmission and stepped down for distribution |
| Frequency | Electricity grid systems operate at the same frequency, commonly 50 or 60 Hz |
| Historical Development | The electric system began over 120 years ago and has evolved from isolated generators to an interconnected "grid" |
| Ownership | The electric system is owned by a mix of entities, including investor-owned utilities, publicly-owned utilities, and cooperatives |
| Innovations | Advances in ICT have improved power system planning and remote control capabilities |
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What You'll Learn
Electric power systems
An electric power system is a network of electrical components that supply, transfer, and use electric power. An example of a power system is the electrical grid, which provides power to homes and industries. The electrical grid can be divided into three parts: generators that supply power, the transmission system that carries power from generating centres to load centres, and the distribution system that supplies power to nearby homes and industries.
The electrical grid is an interconnected group of power lines and equipment for moving electric energy at high voltage between points of supply and delivery. In modern power stations, electricity is generated at 25 KV and transformed to 400 KV. The number of generator sets is designed to accommodate seasonal variations in loads. The principle is to supply power to any consumer with a ring system fed from two directions with proper protection and loss of supply.
Electric power is the product of two quantities: current and voltage. Direct current power can be supplied by batteries, fuel cells, or photovoltaic cells. Alternating current power is typically supplied by a rotor spinning in a magnetic field in a device called a turbo generator. The speed of the rotor, in combination with the number of generator poles, determines the frequency of the alternating current. All generators on a single synchronous system, such as the national grid, rotate at sub-multiples of the same speed, generating electric current at the same frequency.
Depending on the number of poles, alternating current generators can produce a variable number of phases of power. A higher number of phases leads to more efficient power system operation but increases infrastructure requirements. Electricity grid systems connect multiple generators operating at the same frequency, usually three-phase at 50 or 60 Hz. Power supply is classified into different categories, including AC and DC. AC systems are used for most purposes, but DC systems are used for ultra-high voltage transmission.
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Power supply types
Power supply is the backbone of any electronic system, and choosing the right type of power supply is critical for optimal performance and safety. Power supplies can be broadly classified into linear and switching types. Linear power supplies are the classic choice, using transformers, diodes, and filters to provide a steady direct current (DC) output. However, they can lead to energy loss in the form of heat and have a simpler configuration. On the other hand, switching power supplies, or switched-mode power supplies (SMPS), are modern alternatives with higher efficiency, smaller size, and wider input voltage range. Yet, they have complex circuitry and can produce more electrical noise.
Beyond these two main types, there are several other power supply variations. Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) provide continuous power during outages by storing energy in batteries, ensuring reliability. Variable power supplies allow for the adjustment of output voltage or current to meet specific equipment requirements, often featuring knobs or dials for customization. Programmable power supplies enable users to set specific voltage and current levels. Regulated power supplies maintain a constant output voltage or current despite input variations, while unregulated power supplies experience significant output changes when input voltage or load current changes.
Bipolar power supplies operate in all four quadrants of the voltage/current Cartesian plane, generating positive and negative voltages as needed to maintain regulation. They are commonly used in scientific applications to power magnetic devices. High-voltage power supplies output hundreds or thousands of volts and use special connectors to prevent arcing and accidental human contact. Customized power supplies are designed for unique applications or specific requirements that off-the-shelf products cannot meet. Lastly, PC power supplies, also known as computer power supplies, are tailored to power computers and come in various types, with ATX power supplies being the most common.
The electrical grid, or transmission system, is a crucial component of the electric power system, facilitating the transfer of electric power from generating centres to load centres. This grid operates on alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power. AC is the standard for large-scale power transmission and is supplied by spinning a rotor in a magnetic field in a turbo generator. DC is supplied by batteries, fuel cells, or photovoltaic cells. The choice between AC and DC depends on the load being powered, with AC commonly used for equipment with motors, such as refrigerators, and DC used for smaller electronic devices like computers.
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Power sources
An electric power system is a network of electrical components that supply, transfer, and use electric power. The electrical grid is an example of a power system that provides power to homes and industries. The grid can be divided into the generators that supply the power, the transmission system that carries the power from the generating centres to the load centres, and the distribution system that feeds the power to homes and industries.
The source of power for some systems is external, while for others, it is internal. Direct current power can be supplied by batteries, fuel cells, or photovoltaic cells. Alternating current power, on the other hand, is typically supplied by a rotor spinning in a magnetic field in a device called a turbo generator. The rotor can be spun using various techniques, including steam heated by fossil fuels, nuclear energy, falling water (hydroelectric power), or wind. The speed of the rotor, along with the number of generator poles, determines the frequency of the alternating current.
There are three primary types of regulated power supplies: linear, switched, and battery-based. Linear power supplies are widely used when precise regulation and noise elimination are crucial. While not the most efficient, they offer excellent stability and reliability. Switched power supplies, commonly found in computers, can cause line interference and higher electric bills due to lower power factors. However, some switched power supplies can perform power factor correction to mitigate these issues. Battery-based power supplies are mobile energy storage units that produce minimal noise, but they lose capacity over time and have challenges with voltage regulation.
Electricity grid systems often connect multiple generators operating at the same frequency, typically three-phase at 50 or 60 Hz. The number of phases impacts the efficiency of the power system and its infrastructure requirements. Power electronics, semiconductor-based devices, play a crucial role in power systems by enabling AC-to-DC power conversion and facilitating long-distance power transmission through HVDC systems, which are more economical than high-voltage AC systems for long distances.
The evolution of the electric system in the United States began over 120 years ago with the Pearl Street Station in New York City, which initially served dedicated customers. Over time, multiple generating plants were linked, and by the mid-1960s, the system transformed into an interregional "grid". Today, the electric system includes generation, transmission, and distribution, with ownership spread across Investor-Owned Utilities, publicly-owned utilities, and cooperatives.
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Power transmission
An electric power system is a network of electrical components that supply, transfer, and use electric power. The electrical grid is an example of a power system that provides power to homes and industries. The grid can be divided into three parts: the generators that supply the power, the transmission system that carries the power from the generating centres to the load centres, and the distribution system that supplies power to nearby homes and industries.
The transmission network can be further divided into primary transmission and secondary transmission. Primary transmission involves the transfer of electrical power from the initial generating station to the substation via overhead electrical lines. In some countries, underground cables are used for shorter distances. Secondary transmission occurs when the electrical power reaches a receiving station, where the voltage is stepped back down to between 33kV and 66kV. It is then sent to transmission lines that lead to electrical substations closer to load centres.
The electrical power transmission system has evolved over time. In the late 19th century, the first transmission of single-phase alternating current using high voltage took place in Oregon, delivering power from a hydroelectric plant to the city of Portland. In the 1930s, connections between systems improved reliability and provided access to backup generation. By the 1960s, the electric system had transformed from isolated generators to an interregional "grid". Today, the grid continues to evolve with innovations in information and communications technology (ICT), allowing for remote control of switchgear and generators.
The choice of transmission system depends on various factors such as reliability, efficiency, and economy. Overhead transmission systems are commonly used, with three-phase three-wire systems being widely adopted due to economic considerations. However, underground transmission lines are also constructed, especially in cases where shorter distances are involved.
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Power distribution
The distribution system is part of the electrical grid, which is an interconnected group of power lines and associated equipment for moving electric energy at high voltage between points of supply and points of delivery to consumers. The electrical grid can be divided into the generators that supply the power, the transmission system that carries the power from the generating centres to the load centres, and the distribution system that feeds the power to nearby homes and industries.
Distribution substations, located near or inside a city, town, village, or industrial area, connect to the transmission system and lower the transmission voltage to a medium voltage ranging between 2 kV and 33 kV with the use of transformers. Primary distribution lines carry this medium voltage power to distribution transformers located near the customer's premises. These transformers step down the voltage to the utilisation voltage used by lighting, industrial equipment, and household appliances.
The output from a distribution transformer is carried by a distributor conductor. Tappings are taken from a distributor conductor for power supply to the end consumers. The current through a distributor is not constant as tappings are taken at various places throughout its length. Voltage drop along the length is, therefore, an important consideration when designing a distributor conductor.
The ultimate purpose of a power distribution system is to supply electricity to end consumers while maintaining a high level of reliability and quality. Power reliability and quality are critical in ensuring that electrical equipment runs effectively, safely, and without interruption.
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Frequently asked questions
An electric supply system is a network that delivers electricity from generating stations to consumers, including transmission and distribution.
An electric supply system has three main components: generating stations, transmission lines, and distribution systems.
AC systems are used for most purposes, but DC systems are employed for ultra-high-voltage transmission. Direct current power can be supplied by batteries, fuel cells, or photovoltaic cells. Alternating current power is typically supplied by a rotor that spins in a magnetic field in a device known as a turbo generator.
When the electric system began over 120 years ago, generating plants were isolated and served dedicated customers. Over the next 50 years, "utilities" began linking multiple generating plants into isolated systems. By the mid-1930s, connections between systems provided additional reliability and improved economics through reserve sharing and access to diverse energy resources. By the mid-1960s, the electric system had evolved from isolated generators to an interregional "grid".
