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The Evolution and Impact of the US Electric Grid

Delve into the rich history, current state, and future of the US electric grid. Learn about the development of power plants, distribution networks, and smart grid technologies. Explore the social, environmental, and economic aspects of our electricity supply system. Discover the potential of smart grid technologies to enhance efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Join the conversation on the importance of a resilient, secure, and sustainable electric grid for society's well-being.

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The Evolution and Impact of the US Electric Grid

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  1. The US Electric Grid Jeff McMahon and Andy Wilson EGEE 101H April 15, 2010

  2. History of Electricity • 1882 - Thomas Edison designed a DC power plant in New York City – 1 mile range Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Thomas_Edison2.jpg • 1895 – Westinghouse opens Niagara Falls AC power plant -200 mile range Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:N.Tesla.JPGhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:George_Westinghouse.jpg

  3. Development of the grid • 1933 – Congress established the Tennessee Valley Authority • 1935 Roosevelt creates the Rural Electrification Administration • 1953 – American Electric Power Company builds a 345kV line connecting 7 states • 1967 – 765 kV electric line developed

  4. Source: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=110997398

  5. Source: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=110997398 Power Plants

  6. Source: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=110997398

  7. Current State of Electric Grid • Predominantly powered by fossil fuels • Existing infrastructure over 50 years old • D+ from ASCE • 300,000 miles of transmission lines • Produced initially to guarantee lowest possible cost

  8. Distribution of Electricity • Electricity is transmitted in various voltages • Stepped up from power plant for high voltage transmission • Stepped down several times until final use in home or business Source: http://www.howstuffworks.com/power.htm

  9. Electric Losses • High voltage can travel farther with less loss Joule’s Law: Ohm’s Law: • Increased voltage decreases current which reduces loss by

  10. Load Balancing • Plants must match electricity production to demand in real-time • Many studies on forecasting electricity demand • Currently a one way system to study demand

  11. Sunday - 5:30pm

  12. Smart Grid Technology • Two-way power communication • Some cities using wireless mesh networks of meters and devices • V2G: Vehicle to Grid, could allow consumer to power the grid using excess power from cars • Distributed generation • Consumer solar, wind production

  13. Grid Energy Storage • Pumped Water • Electric Cars • Flywheels • Batteries • Thermal Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Grid_storage_energy_flow.png

  14. Austin Case Study Source: http://www.austinenergy.com/About%20Us/Company%20Profile/smartGrid/index.htm

  15. America’s Need for Electricity • Commodity • We want tons of it for as cheap as possible • Ecological Resource • How can we move away from fossil fuels? • Social Necessity • Communication and basic comfort • Strategic Material • Sensitive data now stored electronically

  16. How does the grid impact us? • 99.97% reliable • However, outages cost $150 billion ($500 per person) • Since 2000, only 668 miles of new interstate transmission lines • Since 1982: peak demand outgrows transmission by 25% each year • Little R&D done to make grid more efficient • $3.8 billion pledge from Obama Administration falls well short of estimated $100 billion necessary

  17. Supply-Side Social Aspects • Energy as strategic material • Banking, intelligence, national defense run on electricity • Need to make grid more reliable and secure • Russian and Chinese spies attempt to hack grid • Blackouts increasingly likely as demand outgrows capacity for transmission • Bottlenecks in transmission paths block flow of energy during peak demand

  18. Supply-Side Environmental Aspects • Electricity generation accounts for 40% of CO2 emissions (compare to 20% from transportation) • 2.8 billion tons in 2008 • Coal still primary fuel • Cheap, domestic resource • Also releases SO2 and Nox , contributing to acid rain and smog formation • Current Distribution and Transmission losses are approximately 6.5% of total electricity generated

  19. Smart Grid Environmental Benefits • 5% increase in efficiency of grid would eliminate the greenhouse gas emissions from an equivalent of 22 million vehicles, or 131 million tons CO2 • GE Grid Efficiency • Ability to incorporate renewable energy directly in to the grid would decrease reliance on fossil fuels • GE Alternative Energy • More informed power generation decisions decrease net amount of fuel being burned

  20. Aspects of a “Smarter Grid” • Smart meters communicate two ways • Monitors when electricity is used • Allows for flexible pricing to give incentive for off-peak energy use • 10% savings • Smaller and more diversified generation Source: US DOE “The Smart Grid: An Introduction”

  21. Multiple Facets of Smart Grid Source: US DOE “The Smart Grid: An Introduction”

  22. The Smart Grid and Society • Funding for education projects • Sacramento State University • Colorado University • Ohio State University • Training creates thousands of new jobs • Turn off lights, set thermostat…there’s an app for that! • Right Here at PSU • Research Partnership with Lockheed Martin • Students educating themselves

  23. Demand-Side Implications • IBM study says our age group (18-24) willing to pay for services that increase energy efficiency • Personal steps • The Energy Detective and Google • The Energy Detective • Google Power Meter • Plug-In HEVs more feasible with Smart Grid • Existing power plants can generate electricity for 73% of light vehicles if plugged in at night (cuts 52% foreign oil reliance)

  24. Conclusion • Existing infrastructure not designed for today’s usage or technology • Possibility of Smart Grid in near future • Strong support from our generation • Currently underfunded • Improve efficiency, security, and reliability • Electricity literally runs our nation • Need to keep up with demand while minimizing environmental impact • Electricity promises to account for larger share of US Energy in the coming decades

  25. References • http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/fact-sheet/energy • http://www.ibm.com/smarterplanet/us/en/smart_grid/ideas/index.html?re=spf • http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=electricity_in_the_united_states#tab1 • http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/energy/2010/04/07/a-smart-electrical-grid-could-secure-the-energy-supply--.html • US Dept. of Energy “The Smart Grid: An Introduction” • http://live.psu.edu/story/37953 • http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/epat3p9.html • http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/ask/electricity_faqs.asp#electric_rates2 • http://www.caiso.com/ • http://www.austinenergy.com/About%20Us/Company%20Profile/smartGrid/index.htm • http://www.smartgrid.gov/about/smart_grid_history

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