Physics

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The Electric Power Grid
The United States electric grid is an independent and complex network of operating power plants with transmission lines distributing electricity in all regions within the country (Gonen 2). However, the aging infrastructure combined b increasing demand and consumption of electricity has required the engineers and experts be concerned by the health and status of electric systems in the nation.
Power is produced in diverse ways and then delivered to the U.S. grid using transmission lines. The grid uses coal, nuclear, gas, wind, solar, biomass, hydro, and wind sources of generating electricity (Gonen 5). Over decades, the U.S. electric grid has applied a mixed series of electric production, given the improvements in each technology. The production process portrays the diverse technologies evident in the generating facilities. The grid employs the most suitable source of electricity production in each region in the United States. Some apply solar, wind, biomass, and nuclear power to generate the electricity. Research shows that the United States Electric Power Grid uses sources including natural gas up to 23%, nuclear up to 20%, coal up to 45%, Hydroelectric power up to 7%, petroleum at 1%, and other renewables such as wind and biomass contributing 4% of the total electricity (Gonen 9).
The United States Electric Power Grid has over 5,800 power plants that distribute electricity to over 450,000 miles within major populated states and centers in the region (Gonen 5).

Local transmission channels are characterized by the use of power cables and underground lines guaranteeing constant power supply to all regions in the United States. The US Electric Power Grid uses batteries as the major power storage devises for the EES. The electric energy is converted into electric energy and stored, whereby it is later converted to electric energy when needed (Gonen 1).
High voltage transmissions lines are used because they can transmit electricity over comparatively long distances, usually from the main power stations to the sub-stations. They are preferred in the transmission of electrical power from central stations to other stations for load sharing. They are made of high voltage ranging from 138 and 765 kilovolts (Gonen 14). High voltage electricity transmission helps to reduce the current and thus the energy lost by resistance.
Transformers play a critical role in guaranteeing that electricity moves from the power plan through transmission lines until it reaches the consumer. Transformers are electrical decides that change the voltage of electricity that flows through the transmission circuits to guarantee an increase (step up) or decrease (step down) in power voltage (Gonen 4). In most cases, energy is lost through the t6ransimssion wires from the power plant o the consumer. This is caused by heat loss in power lines. Transformers, therefore, assist in maintaining the right voltage of electric power supply at all times, hence very effective.
Electric energy is stored after production exceeds. Mainly, energy is stored in the grid energy storage system. It is used as renewable energy when consumption exceeds the demand. Currently, air, batteries, electric vehicles, flywheels, and hydrogen are the major storage form of electricity used by the United States electric power grid. Compressed air is commonly 70-90% efficient in storing electricity. Liquid air stored up to a 70% efficiency rate (Gonen 9). Batteries are considered 90% efficient as they also stabilize the distribution processes of the hybrid system.

Work Cited
Gonen, Turan. Electric power distribution engineering. CRC press, 2016.