How does the power grid provide uninterrupted power?
The power grid is not as unified as one might think. It is actually composed of many smaller federal, state, coop’s, and private company run lines and power generating facilities. As a whole it resembles something similar to a market whereas electricity is purchased and traded just like any other product. You mention, for example, how power gets from a hydroelectric dam to your house. Well, the dam is most likely owned by the state and a private company is typically contracted to maintain the equipment and distribute power from the dam to the point where it ties into electric lines of higher tension, At that point, the energy is held in a potential voltage, waiting for the company in control of that area’s grid to tell it where to go. At this point, you turn on the tv. The electric circuit is now complete and current is allowed to flow. The electric potential in the high tension lines flows into a regional substation where it is stepped down from up around 600,000 volts to in the area
