The Power Grid
Electricity is an integral part of the daily lives of most Americans, but the grid that generates and transports this electricity receives attention only when it fails. Why is such an important system so often overlooked? The goal of this talk is to address this by providing a brief background on the power grid and its development, from the legacy grid that has served American customers for almost one hundred years to the improvements needed to maintain efficiency and reliability in the 21st century. It will also touch on the physics necessary to understand how power is transported from generator to residence, and why additions like smart meters and better transmission lines will be vital for the functioning of the grid in the coming years.