How is electricity generated?
In order to get electricity it first has to be generated. In Texas we have a variety of sources for our electricity generation which include natural gas, coal, wind, hydroelectric, nuclear, and solar. Once that electricity has been generated it needs a way to be sent to our homes and businesses. An electricity grid provides a way to send electricity from the plant that is generating it to the homes and business that need it. There is a lot more engineering and science involved which you can read about here.
Electricity grids in the US
Did you know that Texas is the only State that has its only electricity grid? In the United States today there are three main electricity grids. There is the East grid which covers the East coast all the way to the Rockies. The West Grid covers all other states in the continental US excluding Texas. Then there is Texas. Texas has its own grid and it covers most of the state as you can see in the image below.
All three grids are interconnected allowing power plants to offer excess power generated to other locations. The Texas electricity grid is operated by the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and is not subject to Federal Oversight like the East and West grids are.
Want to know more?
If you want to know more check out this article on the US Energy Information Administration website.
