October 2, 2021

Most people don’t think about everything that goes into providing the power they access when they flip on a light switch. Behind that simple act is a complex system that keeps everyday life moving in homes and businesses. The power distribution grid takes electrical power and tells it where to go.

Electric distribution systems rely on sophisticated technology to provide power when needed. Electricity is generated on-demand, which means there are often peak periods when providers see a greater need for power and the system must prove responsive. Technology has evolved over the years, allowing residential and commercial spaces to add their own renewable energy sources to their grids and receive payback from utility companies.

Contact Us

GettyImages-1368780337-1

What is a Distribution Grid?

The distribution grid is a crucial component of the electrical power system, responsible for directing electricity to homes and businesses. This complex network comprises transformers, lines, and circuits that transport the generated power to end users. Additionally, modern grids incorporate renewable energy sources and allow for bidirectional power flow, enhancing reliability and flexibility to meet varying demand.

What Are the Components of Distribution Grids?

Transformers form the backbone of the electrical power grid. They send electric energy from generators to the places where it is dispersed for use in your business. The energy passes through lines and circuits — such as the power lines you see when you drive down your street — to get the power into your building.

The electric power supply system has three main components:

  • Generation: Generation occurs at the power source. It responds to demand on the system versus storing power for future usage, which you can achieve with a battery energy storage system for renewable energy.
  • Transmission: Transmission lines take power from the source, or the generator, to the distribution setup. Transformers and distribution substations have equipment that can regulate the flow of electricity. Substations can activate auxiliary equipment and switchgear. Transmission lines may run underground or, more commonly, in the air.
  • Distribution: The distribution system brings power to people in their businesses and homes. Lines and circuits that supply energy at a higher voltage are called the primary distribution system, while the secondary system distributes it at the voltage it’s used at. The distribution transformer connects the primary and secondary distribution systems. State utilities set the rates for electricity delivered this way.

While electricity is generated on demand, power grids keep a reserve margin of backup energy generation they can tap into if forecasts are off or power plants shut down. Technology in this area has improved over the years, offering a better chance to predict and smooth the energy supply and get power out when people need it.

The endpoint for the power grid comes when the customer receives the electricity. Although, with the ability for consumers to now sell power back into the grid, the power grid can be bidirectional. Reliability and flexibility form the most critical parts of the puzzle. The grid must adapt to challenges and respond with steady electricity availability. Competition for electric supply ensures suppliers address delivery issues as soon as possible.

GettyImages-1460455342-1

See How TRC Can Support You

TRC offers management and consulting services from a team of experts with years of knowledge built in the electric utility industry. We draw on our experience to identify solutions to save you time, increase your savings and maintain compliance with safety guidelines. Learn more about electric distribution systems by contacting us today.

Contact Us

 

Achieve New
Possibilities

Partner With TRC’s Tested Practitioners

Contact Us

Sharing Our Perspectives

Our practitioners share their insights and perspectives on the trends and challenges shaping the market.

01-What-Is-Grid-Resilience-and-How-Can-It-Be-Improved
Insights

What Is Grid Resilience and How Can It Be Improved?

September 5, 2024

Understand power grid resilience. Future-proof your operation with TRC Companies, using technology and expertise to boost grid resiliency today.

Aerial-view-of-electrical-wires-large-scale-power-energy-tower-497627242-1-scaled-1
Regulatory Updates

Update to FAC-003-5 Brings Sweeping Changes to Transmission Classifications Starting April 1

March 19, 2024

Update to FAC-003-5 Brings Sweeping Changes to Transmission Classifications Starting April 1

Engineer_working_on_multiple_displays
Insights

Preparing for the Future of Power Systems Studies, Today

February 9, 2024

How TRC is Adapting to Deliver Unique Resolutions for the Energy Transition

GettyImages-1469790487
Insights

The Essentials of Vegetation Management

February 1, 2024

Vegetation management is evolving to reduce the risk of damage to utility infrastructure. Learn how our vegetation management services can help.

business-meeting
Insights

Empowering Engineers: Mastering the Shift from Technical Expertise to Leadership

November 20, 2023

Transitioning from utility fieldwork to management can be a rewarding decision, but it can also be overwhelming.

extreme-weather-initiative-changes-transmission-planning-
Regulatory Updates

FERC Extreme Weather Initiative Will Change the Transmission Planning Process

July 26, 2023

FERC issued a Final Rule directing NERC to develop a new or modified reliability standard addressing transmission system planning performance requirements for extreme heat or cold weather events.

41dcd979-gettyimages-1190354242-1
Regulatory Updates

FERC Issues Order on Cold Weather Reliability Standards

April 27, 2023

FERC has approved two NERC proposed cold weather-related reliability standards.

e2fdef7d-photovoltaic-panels-of-solar-power-station-at-sunset-662095604
Insights

Modeling Power System Hosting Capacity

March 31, 2023

As renewable energy development booms, and distributed energy resources (DERs) proliferate across the grid, the demand for a more efficient and timely interconnection process is at an all-time high. To meet regulatory deadlines and satisfy the needs of both developers and customers, utilities must tackle an increasingly complex array of system impact studies, analyses and reports, under ever shrinking timelines.

72e2e911-substation-in-the-evening-1163113257
Regulatory Updates

FERC Orders Internal Network Security Monitoring Rule to be Finalized

March 14, 2023

FERC directed NERC to develop Reliability Standards to implement INSM within trusted CIP environments.

GettyImages-847470250-a

TRC Companies Assisting LS Power Grid Maine with New Transmission Project in Maine

March 2, 2023

TRC Companies announces its role as a consultant in supporting the new transmission project by LS Power Grid Maine.

power-lines
Regulatory Updates

NERC Releases 2022 State of Reliability Report

September 16, 2022

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) recently released its 2022 State of Reliability report, which examines power system performance in calendar year 2021 and evaluates reliability performance trends. The 2022 report identified six key findings regarding power system performance that are summarized as follows:

56eb414a-transition-to-renewables-from-hydrocarbons-pylon-and-photovoltaic-panels-1143865401
Videos

Webinar Replay: How the DOE and Utilities Can Work Together on IIJA Funding Initiatives

April 29, 2022

View our webinar replay of our IIJA funding initiatives webinar with Jigar Shah, Director of the Loan Programs Office – US Department of Energy.

GettyImages-989229564
Regulatory Updates

FERC Issues Notice of Inquiry Regarding Dynamic Line Ratings

April 25, 2022

There are significant technical challenges involved in implementing Dynamic Line Ratings in the planning and operation of utility systems. Utilities should be prepared to modify their NERC compliance programs as necessary to address the potential introduction of DLR in their businesses.

GettyImages-2150018076-scaled
Insights

What Does a Transmission Engineer Do?

November 2, 2021

With the increased energy demands comes a need to better manage how suppliers route their power. Power transmission engineers step in to fill this role.

GettyImages-1332517053

How Does a Distribution Grid Work?

October 2, 2021

Electric distribution systems rely on sophisticated technology to provide power when needed. Electricity is generated on-demand, which means there are often peak periods when providers see a greater need for power and the system must prove responsive.

bc61f524-smart-home-automation-control-system-1097894826
Insights

Managing the Future of Electric Utilities

August 1, 2021

The future of electric utilities depends on IT/OT convergence to ensure reliability and resiliency.

GettyImages-471943873-1
Regulatory Updates

Electric System Planning for Extreme Weather Events: NERC Recommends Actions to Protect Reliability this Summer

June 23, 2021

Due to recent extreme weather-related power systems failures, stakeholders are examining the planning and operations practices for all electric utilities.

powerline-snow-winter
Regulatory Updates

Cold Weather Reliability Preparedness and Hardening

March 22, 2021

The latest weather impacts to power reliability have accelerated the need for mandatory regulatory compliance changes.

GettyImages-661805558
News

Transform Utility Engineering with LineHub™

October 12, 2020

LineHub™ brings PLS-CADDTM model data together with enterprise GIS, SAP and other data systems from across the utility, providing a digital story of the entire grid infrastructure.

3e6a5796-trc-talks-linehub
Videos

TRC Talks- LineHub: Transforming Utility Engineering through Digital Data Management

September 10, 2020

LineHub™ is a groundbreaking solution that brings data together from across a utility, providing a holistic view of the entire grid.

GettyImages-539953552
Insights

TRC Digital Partners with Treverity to Put Utility Engineers at the Center of Their Data

June 26, 2020

As part of TRC’s LineHub solution, Treverity helps transmission engineers get a holistic view of the grid through powerful digital data visualization and a customer-centric user interface.

Electrician Measurements With Multimeter Testing Current Ele
News

TRC Acquires Utility Support Systems, Inc.

July 22, 2013

TRC Companies has acquired Georgia-based Utility Support Systems, Inc. , a professional engineering company primarily supporting the power/utility market.