How Electricity Gets to You
Wendover Productions・14 minutes read
Electricity comes from various sources and is distributed through massive grids with little room for error, with demand varying by time and location. Different energy sources, including renewables and storage systems, are being explored to meet electricity demands and balance seasonal variations efficiently and cost-effectively.
Insights
- Energy demand for electricity is not constant, peaking in the morning and evening, leading utilities to predict and manage this fluctuation based on factors like time, location, and season.
- Long-distance electricity transmission infrastructure, like the Pacific DC Intertie, is crucial for balancing seasonal demands, efficiently transferring excess electricity from hydroelectric dams to areas needing power for heating or cooling, highlighting the importance of such systems in maintaining grid stability.
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Recent questions
How is electricity generated?
From sources like water, gas, or wind.
What are the challenges of storing electricity?
Storage is challenging and expensive.
How do utilities predict electricity demand?
Based on factors like time, location, and season.
What are some stable energy sources?
Nuclear, coal, and natural gas.
How are renewable energy sources becoming more prevalent?
Due to cost-effectiveness.
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Summary
00:00
Electricity Sources, Demand, and Storage in Grids
- Electricity powering various appliances comes from sources like water, gas, or wind, potentially far away.
- Electric grids are massive machines with no room for error, unlike water systems.
- Demand for electricity varies significantly based on climate and time of day.
- Electricity usage peaks in the morning and evening, with variations across regions.
- Utilities must predict demand based on various factors like time, location, and season.
- Energy sources like nuclear, coal, and natural gas provide stable electricity, with nuclear being the most consistent.
- Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are becoming more prevalent due to their cost-effectiveness.
- Storage of electricity is challenging and expensive, with lithium-ion batteries costing around $130 per kilowatt-hour.
- Battery storage systems are being used on a smaller scale, like at Fort Carson, to save costs and provide power during peak times.
- Electric vehicles (EVs) could potentially play a role in grid storage by supplying excess electricity back to the grid.
13:53
Efficient Long-Distance Power Transmission Infrastructure
- AC lines and DC lines experience minimal loss, with as little as 0.45% per 100 miles, making it economically favorable to convert power to DC at the source and back to AC at the destination for long-distance electricity transmission.
- The Pacific DC Intertie in the US efficiently transfers excess electricity from the hydroelectric dams in the northwest to power air conditioners in Los Angeles during summer, and in winter, sends electricity from Los Angeles to the Pacific Northwest for heating, showcasing the need for long-distance power transmission infrastructure to balance seasonal demands.
- In Colorado, a 345 kilovolt line from the Craig Power Station is transformed to 230 kilovolts at substations to reduce construction costs, with smaller, cheaper lines distributing the electricity closer to end-users, eventually reaching buildings like the public library in Glenwood Springs at voltages commonly used in the US.
