Grid Glossary

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Geothermal energy

Heat derived from the Earth’s interior, which can be harnessed for electricity generation. It’s a renewable resource, as the Earth’s internal heat is continuously replenished.

Grid

The electrical grid is a vast, interconnected network comprising power plants, transmission lines, substations, and distribution lines. Its purpose is to generate, transmit, and deliver electricity from producers to consumers across a wide geographic area. 

Grid enhancing technologies (GETs)

A variety of technologies that improve the capacity, efficiency, and reliability of existing power grids. They are often lower cost and faster to deploy than major grid infrastructure upgrades like building new transmission lines. These technologies optimize the flow of electricity across existing infrastructure.

Grid following inverter

Refers to the ability of an inverter to synchronize with frequency and voltage on the grid. These are more common than grid forming and refer to how this technology takes its cues from the grid, not the other way around.

Grid forming inverter

Refers to the ability of an inverter to actively control frequency and voltage on the grid, helping to ensure grid stability. They can provide ancillary services, such as inertia, voltage regulation, and frequency response, essential for maintaining grid stability.

Grid hardening

Refers to the many solutions that help the grid withstand major events, such as extreme weather, natural disasters, or cyber attacks, without disruption.

Thermal source

A type of power station in which the heat energy generated from various fuel sources (e.g., coal, natural gas, nuclear fuel, etc.) is converted to electrical energy.

Transfer capacity

The maximum amount of electrical power that can be reliably moved from one geographic region of the power grid to another, essentially indicating the ability of the transmission lines connecting those regions to transport electricity between them without causing instability or exceeding safety limits. It’s a crucial concept for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the power system, particularly in the context of electricity markets and grid planning.

Transformers

Equipment used to increase and decrease voltages at grid interfaces.

Transmission

The process (and infrastructure) of moving large amounts of electrical power over long distances from where it is generated, like a power plant, to substations closer to consumers.

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