A rudimentary tour through "the grid."
By DEIRDRE FULTON | February 11, 2009
1. We start at the power plant — like a plant that burns coal or natural gas, a wind farm, a hydroelectric dam, a nuclear plant, a solar array, or something else. Power generated here moves into the...
2. Transmission substation, where it’s channeled into huge, high-voltage power lines for long-distance transmission.*
3. Once it arrives at a power substation, incoming voltage from transmission lines is pumped into distribution grid, where it can be split in different directions and stepped-down to lower (household) voltage, which is how it gets to the...
4. Power lines like the ones that we see on the side of the roads, that lead to...
5. Our homes, lights, computers, and appliances.*Problems like the ones detailed in this article arise when too much or not enough power is at the transmission substation level. If too much power is generated, there’s gridlock (literally), and it can’t get to the power substation. If not enough power is created, backup power sources are needed, and prices go up.
Related:
Why wind power blows, Letters to the Editor: August 28, 2009, Photos: Stetson Wind in Maine, More 
- Why wind power blows
The world is looking for a no-brainer solution to the 21st century's impending energy crisis, and wind power seems to provide many of the right answers.
- Letters to the Editor: August 28, 2009
The venting of wind-power skeptics in the Phoenix piece " What's Wrong With Wind Power " (by Deirdre Fulton, August 21) really misses a major point — global warming. When we finally get down to grappling with dangerous climate disruption all forms of non-carbon emitting power will rise.
- Photos: Stetson Wind in Maine
Photos of Stetson Wind in Washington County, Maine
- Transmission troubles
Late last month, Maine's second large commercial wind farm officially opened at Stetson Mountain in the eastern part of the state. But for all this potential, both in terms of the power source itself, and the brainpower behind it, Maine risks losing a lot of money.
- Faltering steps forward
As in many other sectors, the green world in 2009 was marked as much by bluster as by tangible positive action.
- Earth, Air, Fire, and Water
It’s going to take more than screwing in a few compact fluorescent light bulbs to make a dent in the state’s energy use.
- Building on green energy
This month, my landlord will install new energy-efficient windows in my apartment. This is great news: Better insulation will reduce both my energy use and my heating bills. I'm happy to be experiencing first-hand what many agree is the single most-important step in the fight against global warming: eco-friendly building upgrades and weatherization.
- Mountains, not windmills
I just read your article (" Transmission Troubles ," by Deirdre Fulton, February 13) in the Portland Phoenix, great article.
- It's getting easier to go green
In Rhode Island and across the US, economic troubles seem to be getting worse by the day. But green energy and conservation, several local advocates and entrepreneurs say, has a chance to flourish in the coming years.
- Newport company touts grease as a gas competitor
While the return of gas prices to a more palatable level has stifled public discontent for now, it's hard to predict when the next oil shock may occur.
- Expert: Expanding wind power could unhinge insects
Last spring, a red tail hawk was hit and killed by Rhode Island's one functioning wind turbine at Portsmouth Abbey School. Brother Joseph Byron says the bird was the first animal fatality he has seen since the 241-foot-high structure started producing 660 kilowatts in March 2006.
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