How Nuclear Power Can Transform Electric Grid and Critical Infrastructure Resilience
tions , and 6.5M miles of distribution lines connecting over 153 million customers ( EIA 2019 ). This collection of assets is organized and geographically distributed in three regional Interconnections : the Eastern Interconnection , the Western Interconnection , and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas ( ERCOT ). The Eastern Interconnection spans from Central Canada eastward to the Atlantic coast ( excluding Quebec ), south to Florida , and west to the foot of the Rocky Mountains ( excluding Texas ). The Western Interconnection stretches from Western Canada south to Baja California in Mexico and eastward over the Rockies to the Great Plains .
Figure 1 . North American Electric Grid
Grid operations within each Interconnection are synchronized to continuously maintain system-wide electricity voltage and frequency standards within the Interconnections . A myriad of network topologies and system architectures within each Interconnection connect generation , transmission , and distribution ( GT & D ) assets , creating a high level of multi-dimensional functional interdependence between system components . Thus , electricity may be generated hundreds of miles away from its point of consumption .
Like most aging infrastructure , the Grid evolved during the 20 th Century in response to the social , economic , political , and physical realities of that era . Despite its size , age , and complexity , the Grid has — with few notable exceptions — performed remarkably well .
Finally , electricity is big business . The Grid and its assets are owned and operated by over 3,000 different entities , including local distribution companies ,
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