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Glossary of Terms

Grid
Nope, not a term for a football team. “Grid” loosely refers to the technological infrastructure that uses power lines (transmission and distribution) to carry electricity between power sources (power plants, wind farms, hydroelectric dams, etc.), substations, transformers, and consumers.

The vast expanse of the grid allows electricity to be imported from many miles away. Different power lines in the grid have different carrying capacities. Most of the grid runs on what is called phase three alternating current, but lines also use phase one or two alternating current, or even direct current. Energy production and consumption must remain relatively the same, because imbalances put the grid at risk.

Different parts of the grid have been constructed over time, with most of its consolidated as a result of World Wars I and II. It overlaps in parts, which also helps resilience during extreme weather events.

Note: The power grid is not to be confused with the network of computer servers and networking hardware that powers the Internet, another system that some also know as the grid. The computer grid sucks down massive amounts of power. The EPA estimates that it consumes 1.5% of the U.S. electric supply, or the output of about 15 power plants. This consumption has doubled since 2000, and is projected to double yet again by 2011. (These figures do not include the electricity consumed by the home and office computers used to access the internet.) Efforts to build a “green grid” are now getting underway.
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