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Index
Living on the Grid
Copyright
Contents
List of Illustrations
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 The Grid
Introduction to the Grid
Diagram 1-1: The Three Grids of North America
Starting with a Small Electric System
Diagram 1-2: A Grid in Your Home
The Difference Between Power and Energy
The Growth of Small Electric Systems
Diagram 1-3: An Early Electric System
Diagram 1-4: A Slightly Improved System
The Next Step in Grid Development: Interconnecting
Diagram 1-5: Early Electric System Tie-lines
Connecting the Grid in a Network
Diagram 1-6: Radial Electric System
Diagram 1-7: Network Electric System
Alternating Current Vs. Direct Current
Diagram 1-8: Alternating Current
Building an Interconnected System
Diagram 1-9: Direct Current Tie-lines Between Grids
Texas: State Vs. Federal Jurisdiction
An Analogy for an Interconnected Grid
Diagram 1-10: Water Barrel Analogy for the Grid
Grid Evolution Was Not Random
Ownership of the Grid
Another Technical Concept: Voltage
Diagram 1-11: Transformers Allow the Grid to Connect Together
The Three Electrical Phases
Diagram 1-12: The Three Phases of Alternating Current
Diagram 1-13: Three-phase Transmission Line
How Electricity Flows Through the Grid to a Home
Bad Things Can Happen to the Grid
Stories from a Control Room
Chapter 2 Grid Control
Introduction to Control of the Grid
Why Does the Grid Need to Be Controlled?
Reactive Power
Generation and Load Balance
Storms or Equipment-failure Events
Generation Loss
System Design / Cascading Events
Stability
Markets
Solar Magnetic Disturbances
What Can We Do to Keep the Grid Under Control?
Establish Design Rules and Build the Grid
Establish Operating Rules and Operate the Grid
Rules for Balancing Generation and Load
Diagram 2-1: Balancing Generation and Load
Operating to the Single-contingency Rule
Establish Regional Entities That See the Big Picture
Diagram 2-2: Contract Path Vs. Actual Flows
Other Operational Rules
Establish Rules for the Market and for Good Performance by Wholesale Purchasing/selling Entities
Establish Rules for Generators and for Good Performance by Generators
Utilize Quick-acting Automatic Protection Systems
Ensure Maintenance
Chapter 3 Reliability Tools Used by Operators in Real Time
Introduction to the System Operator’s Tools
Operational Tools to Maintain the Grid
Redispatching Generation
Reconfiguring the Grid
Using Load-management Programs
Reducing Voltage
Making Public Appeals
Instituting Rotating Blackouts
Doing Nothing
Information Available for the Operator
Chapter 4 The Government’s Role in the Grid
Introduction
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct)
Ferc Orders 888 and 889
Open Access to Transmission
Generation Transactions
Separation of Affiliated Businesses
Unintended Consequences
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct05)
Ferc Order 693 and Additional Orders on Standards
One Critical Federal Issue: The Independent System Operator
Department of Energy
State Regulation
North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)
Other Entities That Impact the Grid
Chapter 5 Generation
Introduction
General Terms and Concepts
Economic Terms and Concepts
Technical Terms and Concepts
Nuclear Generation
Coal Generation
Natural Gas Generation
Oil Generation
Hydro Generation
Wind Generation
Solar Generation
Geothermal Generation
Fuel Cells
Energy Storage
What Is Green Energy?
What Is the Best Mix of Generation?
Diagram 5-1: Load for a Typical Summer Peak Day
Diagram 5-2: Load for a Typical Winter Peak Day
Diagram 5-3: Load for a Typical Shoulder Season Day
Diagram 5-4: Generation Mix for a Typical Summer Peak
Cost-based Vs. Price-based System: The Market
Chapter 6 Competition: The Market
Introduction to the Wholesale Market for Electricity
Purchases and Sales of Wholesale Electricity the Old Way
The Difference Between Cost and Price
The Products Traded at the Wholesale Level
Changes Initiated by the Open Access Transmission Tariff
Markets Managed by Independent Organizations
Generation or Transmission Built by Independents
Chapter 7 Grid Blackouts
Introduction to the Blackout Discussion
The History of Blackouts
The Northeast Blackout of 2003
Setting the Stage for a Blackout
It Takes a Combination of Big Mistakes to Cause a Blackout
Tools, Trees, Training: Lessons Learned
Chapter 8 The Future of the Electricity Business
Introduction
The Death Spiral and Why It Won’t Happen
Net Metering: Another Form of Subsidizing Renewables
Microgrids and Other Ideas
The Smart Grid
Cybersecurity
Terrorism and the Grid
A Future View
Glossary of Terms
Suggested Reading and References
Index
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