The National Grid is an incredible feat of modern engineering. It is a vast and intricate network that ensures we have a reliable and efficient distribution of electricity across the entire country. The National Grid is responsible for delivering power to homes, businesses, and industries. The electricity that comes into the National Grid comes from a variety of sources, such as from panels that Solar Panel Installation Bristol companies install. Here’s how it works.
Electricity generated through a variety of sources is generated at power stations in the form of high-voltage alternating current or AC. In order to minimise the amount of energy lost during transmission, the AC voltage is passed through transformers. High-voltage electricity is much more efficient at being transmitted over longer distances. The transformers are responsible for the increased voltage of the AC.
At this point, the electricity enters the transmission network, which is a network of high-voltage overhead lines, substations and underground cables. The transmission network covers the entire UK and is responsible for carrying the electricity from the power stations to the local distribution points. During this journey, the electricity passes through substations where the voltage is decreased to make it safe for transmission.
Once the voltage has been reduced, the electricity is distributed to the local distribution networks and then to homes and businesses. Here, it is used to power our devices and domestic appliances. Over time, the original source of the electricity will move further away from fossil fuels and closer to more sustainable methods.