Primary components of a wind turbine include the generator, drive train, gearbox and brake assembly. The blades are connected to a drive shaft that turns a generator, producing electricity. Wind turbines can be installed offshore to capitalize on stronger, more consistent wind patterns.
Renewably generated power is inconsistent by nature. The BESS is a critical component of a renewable energy system, allowing excess power to be stored for on-demand use. There are a multitude of BESS technologies, including lithium-ion, lead-acid, sodium-sulfur, REDOX flow and gravitational.
As sunlight beams across the panel, semiconductors in the solar panel are triggered to create usable electricity. On a solar farm, many solar panels are grouped together to increase production of electricity. Panels can be bifacial and track to the position of the sun.
Buried electrical cable connects renewable energy source(s) to the collector substation. For renewable projects in the U.S., collection systems are typically operated at 34.5-kV.
Overhead electrical lines can also connect renewable energy sources to the collector substation.
Power generated by solar panels and wind turbines is collected at a sub-transmission voltage (typically 34.5-kV) and is unable to be transmitted long distances. Collector substations are considered part of the generation facility. At the collector substation, power generated by the plant gets stepped up to a transmission-level voltage, which is greater than 69-kV. This allows for the power to be routed onto the existing transmission system.
Power utilities are responsible for providing an access point on their transmission system to independent power producers. In most cases, an interconnection switchyard is needed to bisect an existing transmission line and provide access for operations and maintenance. Interconnection switchyards are considered to be utility assets and are necessary for any type of energy generation source, including natural gas, wind, solar, coal, hydrogen, etc.
High-voltage transmission lines carry power over long distances and help connect power-generating facilities to load centers such as cities or industrial customers. Standard voltages for long-distance power transmission typically range from 69-kV to 765-kV. As the voltage level increases, the current capacity of the line increases, and more power can be transmitted.
With a community solar plant, neighbors and businesses subscribe to a portion of a nearby solar development and are provided a credit against their electricity bill for the power it produces. Community solar gardens are typically interconnected directly into the distribution grid and are regulated at either the local or state level.
Power on high-voltage transmission lines is routed to a step-down substation near where power is being consumed. At this step-down substation, voltage is reduced to an acceptable level for the distribution grid. This is a necessary step to make electricity usable for homes and businesses.
Electrical lines typically exit the substation via underground conduits. Electrical conduit is a pipe that houses electrical cables for each circuit. Sometimes circuits are transitioned from underground to overhead at certain distances from the substation, especially in suburban and residential areas.
Every few hundred feet, the conduit passes through manhole systems, which are below-grade installations where the electrical cable sections are spliced together, allowing maintenance crews to maintain the existing cables or pull in new cable. In urban areas, manholes are present at least every 300 to 500 feet. If other underground infrastructure is competing for the same space, such as a water main or natural gas main, the manholes are built closer together as needed.
Distribution lines carry electricity at lower voltages and transmit electricity shorter distances than transmission lines do. Overhead distribution lines are typically made up of bare conductor carried by wooden or fiberglass arms at the tops of wooden poles. This represents one of the final stages of electricity delivery, before it arrives at homes or businesses.
For homes and businesses served by nearby overhead distribution, electrical transformers are attached to the overhead distribution pole. This transformer steps down voltage to a level suitable for end devices (120/240 volts). An overhead service connection is typical for suburban areas.
Residential electric vehicle charging is typically done with alternating current (AC) charging units that are either hardwired or plugged into a 240VAC outlet, similar to one used for a clothes dryer. Installing this infrastructure typically requires the assistance of a licensed electrician and can add a significant electrical load to a home’s system, which can have a large impact on the homeowner’s monthly bill. Many utilities have special EV charging rates or time-of-use incentives to encourage charging when the grid won’t be overloaded.
Technologies that allow end users to produce, store and consume power in a single location are commonly referred to as distributed energy resources (DERs). A popular DER is the addition of rooftop solar panels on residential properties. When coupled with a battery storage system, this setup can allow for a major reduction or complete elimination of a customer’s electricity bill.
In some states, end users can receive tax credits for rooftop solar installations and even sell excess power back to the local power utility. The latter is commonly referred to as net metering.
Many residential and suburban areas install distribution lines underground, which will connect underground cable to the overhead distribution lines. In this scenario, pad-mount transformers are used instead of overhead distribution transformers. Each pad-mount transformer steps down the voltage to a useable level and can serve multiple homes or businesses.
For homes and businesses served by underground distribution and pad-mount transformers, connection to the meters is via underground cable and conduit.
Public EV chargers that use lower-powered AC equipment require a longer time to charge vehicles. Direct-current (DC) equipment provides a faster charge for vehicles. Public chargers generally need interface panels and connectivity to allow for payment. Ownership models for the charging equipment vary significantly and include utilities, private networks and municipalities. Placing chargers along highway corridors is an important future addition to charging infrastructure that is expected to allow the further adoption of electric vehicles.
Primary components of a wind turbine include the generator, drive train, gearbox and brake assembly. The blades are connected to a drive shaft that turns a generator, producing electricity. Wind turbines can be installed offshore to capitalize on stronger, more consistent wind patterns.
Renewably generated power is inconsistent by nature. The BESS is a critical component of a renewable energy system, allowing excess power to be stored for on-demand use. There are a multitude of BESS technologies, including lithium-ion, lead-acid, sodium-sulfur, REDOX flow and gravitational.
As sunlight beams across the panel, semiconductors in the solar panel are triggered to create usable electricity. On a solar farm, many solar panels are grouped together to increase production of electricity. Panels can be bifacial and track to the position of the sun.
Buried electrical cable connects renewable energy source(s) to the collector substation. For renewable projects in the U.S., collection systems are typically operated at 34.5-kV.
Overhead electrical lines can also connect renewable energy sources to the collector substation.
Power generated by solar panels and wind turbines is collected at a sub-transmission voltage (typically 34.5-kV) and is unable to be transmitted long distances. Collector substations are considered part of the generation facility. At the collector substation, power generated by the plant gets stepped up to a transmission-level voltage, which is greater than 69-kV. This allows for the power to be routed onto the existing transmission system.
Power utilities are responsible for providing an access point on their transmission system to independent power producers. In most cases, an interconnection switchyard is needed to bisect an existing transmission line and provide access for operations and maintenance. Interconnection switchyards are considered to be utility assets and are necessary for any type of energy generation source, including natural gas, wind, solar, coal, hydrogen, etc.
High-voltage transmission lines carry power over long distances and help connect power-generating facilities to load centers such as cities or industrial customers. Standard voltages for long-distance power transmission typically range from 69-kV to 765-kV. As the voltage level increases, the current capacity of the line increases, and more power can be transmitted.
With a community solar plant, neighbors and businesses subscribe to a portion of a nearby solar development and are provided a credit against their electricity bill for the power it produces. Community solar gardens are typically interconnected directly into the distribution grid and are regulated at either the local or state level.
Power on high-voltage transmission lines is routed to a step-down substation near where power is being consumed. At this step-down substation, voltage is reduced to an acceptable level for the distribution grid. This is a necessary step to make electricity usable for homes and businesses.
Electrical lines typically exit the substation via underground conduits. Electrical conduit is a pipe that houses electrical cables for each circuit. Sometimes circuits are transitioned from underground to overhead at certain distances from the substation, especially in suburban and residential areas.
Every few hundred feet, the conduit passes through manhole systems, which are below-grade installations where the electrical cable sections are spliced together, allowing maintenance crews to maintain the existing cables or pull in new cable. In urban areas, manholes are present at least every 300 to 500 feet. If other underground infrastructure is competing for the same space, such as a water main or natural gas main, the manholes are built closer together as needed.
Distribution lines carry electricity at lower voltages and transmit electricity shorter distances than transmission lines do. Overhead distribution lines are typically made up of bare conductor carried by wooden or fiberglass arms at the tops of wooden poles. This represents one of the final stages of electricity delivery, before it arrives at homes or businesses.
For homes and businesses served by nearby overhead distribution, electrical transformers are attached to the overhead distribution pole. This transformer steps down voltage to a level suitable for end devices (120/240 volts). An overhead service connection is typical for suburban areas.
Residential electric vehicle charging is typically done with alternating current (AC) charging units that are either hardwired or plugged into a 240VAC outlet, similar to one used for a clothes dryer. Installing this infrastructure typically requires the assistance of a licensed electrician and can add a significant electrical load to a home’s system, which can have a large impact on the homeowner’s monthly bill. Many utilities have special EV charging rates or time-of-use incentives to encourage charging when the grid won’t be overloaded.
Technologies that allow end users to produce, store and consume power in a single location are commonly referred to as distributed energy resources (DERs). A popular DER is the addition of rooftop solar panels on residential properties. When coupled with a battery storage system, this setup can allow for a major reduction or complete elimination of a customer’s electricity bill.
In some states, end users can receive tax credits for rooftop solar installations and even sell excess power back to the local power utility. The latter is commonly referred to as net metering.
Many residential and suburban areas install distribution lines underground, which will connect underground cable to the overhead distribution lines. In this scenario, pad-mount transformers are used instead of overhead distribution transformers. Each pad-mount transformer steps down the voltage to a useable level and can serve multiple homes or businesses.
For homes and businesses served by underground distribution and pad-mount transformers, connection to the meters is via underground cable and conduit.
Public EV chargers that use lower-powered AC equipment require a longer time to charge vehicles. Direct-current (DC) equipment provides a faster charge for vehicles. Public chargers generally need interface panels and connectivity to allow for payment. Ownership models for the charging equipment vary significantly and include utilities, private networks and municipalities. Placing chargers along highway corridors is an important future addition to charging infrastructure that is expected to allow the further adoption of electric vehicles.
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