Power Systems 101

Foundational concepts that underpin a working knowledge of conventional, transforming and future power systems.

Power

Electrical represents rate at which Energy is transferred through an electrical circuit.  As the product of Voltage and Current, electrical provides the ability to produce

Power Factor

The ratio of the Real Power to the Apparent Power at a metering point.

Power System

A critical societal System that, in the case of GW-scale grids, exists to provide safe, reliable, and efficient Electricity services to millions of Customers.  The

Protection System

A System designed to protect people, equipment, facilities and infrastructure from harm or damage due to an electrical or mechanical fault, or due to certain

Reactive Power

Measured in MVAR, sustains the electrical field in Alternating Current (AC) systems while maintaining Voltage within the limits specified for safe operation.

Real Power

Measured in MW, is the component of electrical Power that is delivered to the user to perform useful work. Real Power is also commonly referred

Reliability

The degree to which electric service that meets applicable usability standards is available to users at any scale and over any given time period.

Renewable Energy

Generation Plant that is powered by natural energy sources that are self-renewing, including solar irradiance, wind movement, natural water flows and ocean tidal forces.

Reserves

Measured in MegaWatts (MW), represents contracted commitments to deliver or reduce Real Power (MW) or Energy (MWh) at a point of time in the future.

Resilience

The ability of the Power System to avoid or withstand stress events without suffering operational compromise, or to adapt to and compensate for the strain