The transmission of electrical energy is the massive movement of electrical energy from a generation site, such as a power plant, to an electrical substation. The interconnected lines facilitating this movement are known as a transmission network. This is different from local wiring between high-voltage substations and customers, which is often referred to as electric power distribution. The combined transmission and distribution network is referred to as the "power grid" in North America, or simply "the network." In the United Kingdom, the network is known as the "National Network".
A wide area synchronous network, also known as "interconnection" in North America, directly connects a large number of generators that supply AC power with the same frequency relative to a large number of consumers. For example, there are four major interconnections in North America (Western Interconnection, Eastern Interconnection, Quebec Interconnection and the Texas Electric Reliability Council (ERCOT) grid), and a large network for most of Europe continental. Historically, the transmission and distribution lines belonged to the same company, but since the 1990s many countries have liberalized the regulation of the electricity market in a way that has led to the separation of the electricity distribution business.
The transmission of electrical energy is the massive movement of electrical energy from a generation site, such as a power plant, to an electrical substation. The interconnected lines facilitating this movement are known as a transmission network. This is different from local wiring between high-voltage substations and customers, which is often referred to as electric power distribution. The combined transmission and distribution network is referred to as the "power grid" in North America, or simply "the network." In the United Kingdom, the network is known as the "National Network". A wide area synchronous network, also known as "interconnection" in North America, directly connects a large number of generators that supply AC power with the same frequency relative to a large number of consumers. For example, there are four major interconnections in North America (Western Interconnection, Eastern Interconnection, Quebec Interconnection and the Texas Electric Reliability Council (ERCOT) grid), and a large network for most of Europe continental.
Historically, the transmission and distribution lines belonged to the same company, but since the 1990s many countries have liberalized the regulation of the electricity market in a way that has led to the separation of the electricity distribution business.