Expanded Table of Contents for Power Grids and Electrical Utilities Explained Simply

Table of Contents for Power Grids and Utility Companies Explained Simply

10.1 Utility Company Operation Basics        13

  1. Overview of Matching Power Generation with Load
  2. Problems if Generation Does Not Meet Load
  3. Methods for Matching Generation with Load
  4. Create Enough Reserve
  5. Build Quality Electrical Lines and Distribution Systems
  6. Monitor Key Factors and Respond to Changes in the System
  7. Have an Effective Monitoring and Communications System
  8. Restarting Power Plants Without Difficulty
  9. Interconnect with Other Power Systems Effectively

10.2 Monitoring and Communications Systems     25

  1. Basic Components of a Monitoring and Communication System
  2. SCADA Overview
  3. SCADA Operations: Control Center Perspective
  4. SCADA Operations: Electronics and Wires Perspective
  5. Translation Devices
  6. Options for Communication Connections
  7. Broadband Systems
  8. Back-up Systems for Communication

10.3 Quality Control for Utilities      33

  1. Voltage Variation Basics
  2. Voltage too Low or No Voltage: for Short Duration
  3. Voltage too Low or No Voltage: for Long Duration
  4. Voltage too High: for Short or Long Duration
  5. Frequency Variation Overview
  6. Frequency: Changes in Frequency
  7. Frequency: Additional Frequencies
  8. Temperature too High

10.4 Basic Concepts of Grids        47

  1. Overview of Grids
  2. Grid System is Similar to the Roadway System
  3. Regulations, Economics, and Grids
  4. Advantages and Disadvantages of Grids
  5. Ideal Grid at a Glance
  6. Independent System Operators and FERC
  7. The Players and Their Roles
  8. Additional Grid Terms

10.5 Grid Operations      67

  1. Basic Grid Operations
  2. Variations of Grid Operations
  3. Ancillary Services

10.6 Quality Control for Grids   75

  1. Quality Control of Grids
  2. Grid Failures
  3. Need for More Power Plants and Smaller Grids
  4. Sabotage and Terrorism
  5. NERC and Electric Reliability Regions
  6. FERC and NERC: a Brief Comparison
  7. Energy Policy Act of 2005

10.7 Smart Grids    91

  1. Overview of the Smart Grid Process
  2. Smart Grids as Related to the SCADA System
  3. Remote Sensors and Automatic Adjustments
  4. The “Smart” in Smart Grid
  5. Privacy Issues
  6. Improper Use of Smart Grids
  7. Proper Use of Smart Grids
  8. Voluntary Cooperation with the Smart Grid System

10.8 Future of Electrical Distribution    101

  1. A New Direction
  2. Benefits of Smaller Grids
  3. Sizing of Grids
  4. Benefits of Smaller, Locally Operated Power Plants
  5. The Need for Some Large Power Plants
  6. PURPA: Good for Competition & Environmentalism

Appendix  and Index

  1. ISOs/RTOs
  2. Regional Reliability Councils