What is T&D? – We've gathered some basic information to explain electricity transmission and distribution.
"T" stands for the transmission network and "D" stands for the distribution network. T&D combined make up the electric power delivery system, sometimes called the "grid".
1. The power grid is one of the largest engineered systems in the world (similar in scale to the transportation network and the communication network).
2. The power grid is a huge network of wires, transformers and other equipment in between power generation (fossil fuel, nuclear, hydro, wind, solar PV) and power consumers (residential, commercial, industrial).
3. The power grid is the most sophisticated real-time delivery network ever created (comprehensive electric energy storage is not yet feasible, so we need to generate and deliver electricity at nearly the speed of light).
4. The transmission network is the high-voltage backbone power delivery system, similar to the interstate highway system.
5. The distribution network is the medium-voltage local power delivery system, similar to neighborhood streets.
For more information, check out the links below:
IEEE Smart GridEnergy.gov - Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability
North American Electric Reliability Corporation
Electric Power Research Institute
