ABOUT
ENERGY CHALLENGES
WHERE DOES ENERGY COME FROM
In the United States, energy is created on a large scale by forcing a fluid through a turbine rotor's blades, which then rotates a magnet around the attached generator's copper coils. This movement of different poles creates a difference in charges at either end of the conductive wire, generating voltage – the drift of electrons – and an energy field. Most of the world uses alternating current (AC), in which the spinning magnetic poles intermittently reverses the magnetic and electric fields every half-cycle: because both fields flip at the same time, the energy field travels the same way regardless of phase.
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The most crucial benefit of alternating current is its ability to be transformed into a higher or lower voltage. When two sets of coils are in proximity of each other, the changing magnetic field in one set induces voltage in the other. Because a higher voltage – or a faster drift of electrons – is needed to carry the energy field across long distances with minimal energy loss, electricity that is produced by a power plant must then be “transformed” to 44k-750k volts for transmission. This is done in transmission substations, where placing a larger number of coils in proximity to a lower number of charged coils ramps up voltage and reduces current. Energy then travels long distances through transmission lines which attach to large steel structures that typically have no trees or structures nearby. The system may or may not include transmission substations and subtransmission lines, which lower voltage to an intermediate step and isolate it for maintenance. Voltage is then reduced further via distribution substations, which are closer to typical everyday energy consumers than transmission substations, and the energy that neighborhoods ultimately receive has been stepped-down to 120 volts.
HOW EFFICIENT IS THIS SYSTEM
In 2021, 61% of America’s energy was produced by steam-electric fossil-fuel power plants, and 19% was from nuclear energy. While U.S. residents may be receiving enormous amounts of reliable energy from these sources, we are also losing 63% of oil, gas, coal, and nuclear energy as heat. This is an incredibly inefficient way to use available energy sources – but, barring major technological efficiency improvements, is there actually a viable alternative to sating today’s energy demands?
A NEW WORLD NEEDS NEW IDEAS
Policy Highlights + Solutions
Microgrids are a separate connection of buildings that tie into both the main energy grid and their own power sources. In times of trouble or repairs, these separate grids can provide their own energy until central power is restored. This switch from central to local sources can be done either manually or automatically, and microgrids can be either alternating or direct current. Not only do microgrids serve as a versatile backup to the high voltage, or “bulk,” energy system, but they might allow for more efficient distribution than traditional energy sources.
So what's stopping us from incorporating more microgrids?
Energy delivery is a service that should not be disrupted, making it hard for businesses to take risks. Energy is an inherently political issue, where lobbying firms have already determined that fixing old infrastructure over and over again is extremely lucrative. Energy is coupled with national security, yet our current system is woefully unprotected.
Read on for links to relevant articles, policies, and solutions.