An Overview
The electric power grid
Electricity is generated at power plants and moves through a complex transmission and distribution system, sometimes called the grid. The grid includes electricity substations, transformers, and power lines that connect electricity producers and consumers. Most local grids are interconnected to maintain reliability and for commercial purposes, forming larger, more dependable networks that help suppliers consistently produce the right amount of electricity to meet demand.
In the United States, the entire electricity grid consists of thousands of miles of high-voltage power lines and millions of miles of low-voltage power lines. This network of power lines connects thousands of power plants to hundreds of millions of electricity customers across the country. More information is available at the US Energy Information Administration.
Here is a brief overview video of what the electric power grid includes, and how all the pieces work together.
To learn in much more detail about the U.S. electrical grid, see this series of videos.
Learn more about the electricity system and its impact on the environment in the U.S., including an interactive diagram that describes each component of the power grid.
Power plants use a wide variety of energy resources to produce electricity. The three most common are natural gas, coal and nuclear energy. However, renewable resources such as water, wind and solar are some of the fastest growing sources. From 1990 to 2023, renewable energy sources grew from 12% to 21% of utility-scale electricity generation.
Learn more about the diverse energy sources and technologies used to generate electricity in the United States.
View this link for even more detail: How electricity is generated