OVERBYE, THOMAS J.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL

Abstract: How the Power Grid Behaves

The nation's electric power grid is an interconnected network of generation groups called control areas. Each control area has the responsibility to serve power to its residential commercial, and industrial customers, even in the event oi unforeseen disturbances. A control area must fulfill this responsibility in both a reliable and a cost-effective manner: reliably, so that its customers don't wind up in the dark; and inexpensively, so that it can remain competitive in an increasingly competitive deregulated marketplace. The high-voltage transmission system ties each control area to its neighbor, enabling the control area to buy and sell power with its neighbors. Transacting power with its neighbors helps a control area fulfill its responsibilities.

This presentation explains many of the fundamental issues surrounding the operation of the interconnected power system. It identifies the various components of the system, including the generators, loads, and transmission lines that comprise each control area, and demonstrates how automatic generation control is employed to keep pace with changing power demand. Furthermore, the presentation emphasizes the variety of issues associated with transacting power between areas, identifying the reliability and economic issues and indicators that may shape a control area's decision to engage in a power transaction. The highly graphical and interactive PowerWorld Simulator software package will be used to communicate these lessons clearly and effectively.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90928©1999 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas