1. Factors to Consider when Designing a Reliable Power Grid
Mark Muir
Electrical Engineer
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions

2. Overview What components make up a power grid?
How can we make a power grid more reliable?
What natural disasters have the potential to disrupt a power grid and what preventative measures can be taken against them?
Overhead vs. underground power lines
What technologies exist and are being researched to improve present-day grids?
Q&A

3. What components make up a power grid?
A power grid is an electrical power system network comprised of three systems: generation, transmission, and distribution.
Generation facilities are locations that convert other forms of energy into electricity.
Transmission systems allow electricity to be transported long distances at high voltages.
Distribution systems allow electricity to be transported short distances and “stepped down” to appropriate voltages for end users.

5. How can we make a power grid more reliable?
Design a grid that can withstand expected natural disasters.
Separate generation sources from each other.
Have multiple paths from generation sources to end users.
Install emergency power to critical loads.
Utilize onsite generation where possible.

6. What natural disasters have the potential to disrupt a power grid and what preventative measures can be taken against them?

7. Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and Ice Storms
Damaging effects:
Wind
Rain
Debris
Lightning
Ice
Preventative measures:
Increase strength of construction materials
Place electrical lines underground

8. Heat Wave Damaging effects:
Extreme heat that reduces electrical capacity of equipment
Preventative measures:
Oversize electrical equipment to tolerate lower efficiency

9. Floods Damaging effects:
An excessive amount of water can cause faults on equipment at ground level
Preventative measures:
Choose the location of transmission and distribution equipment so that they are above the maximum flood plain

10. Earthquakes Damaging effects:
Structural damage to equipment at or below ground level
Preventative measures:
Use overhead power lines for transmission and distribution systems
Seismically qualify

11. Overhead vs. Underground Power Lines
Overhead Lines
Pros:
Cheap to construct
Easy to identify and repair faults
Cons:
Vulnerable to wind, ice, and debris
Difficult to route in urban areas
Potential fire and shock hazards
Underground Lines
Pros:
Resilient to wind and ice conditions
No overhead or exposed lines
Cons:
Expensive to install
Difficult to identify and repair faults
Difficult to expand

12. What technologies exist and are being researched to improve present-day grids?
Renewable Energy: Generation from energy sources other than coal. This includes solar, wind, hydro, and biofuel technologies.
Microgrid: Localized generation facility that has control capability that can isolate itself from the tradition grid and operate autonomously.
Smart Grid: Generation, transmission, and distribution equipment that communicates in real time with surrounding equipment.
Emergency Generation: Locally installed emergency power systems to pick up critical loads in the event of a total power outage.

13. Futurecity.org
This year’s challenge, Powering Our Future, asks students to design a resilient power grid that can withstand and quickly recover from the impacts of a natural disaster.

14. “The Blue Print” *Take out 1 sheet of paper and copy the following:
Power Grid type and why
Describe at least one historical natural disaster that has taken place and the impact it caused
Name of your city and why
Location and why
Which natural disaster is your city prone to (Geography)

15. Q&A Link to Presentation: https://tinyurl.com/ycsw6hnl