The Electricity

Delivery System
Electricity is the flow of electrical power or charge. It is a sec-
Electricity Basics
ondary energy source, which means that we get it from the con-
version of other sources of energy, including:

• Coal • Geothermal energy

• Natural gas • Solar energy
• Petroleum • Wind energy
• Nuclear energy • Biomass
• Hydro energy

The energy sources used to make electricity can be renewable

or non-renewable, but electricity itself is neither renewable or
non-renewable.1
Source: EIA. “Electricity Basics 101.” http://www.eia.doe.gov/basics/
1. EIA. “What is Electricity?” http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/ electricity_basics.html (Accessed December 13, 2005).
electricity.html#SecondarySource (Accessed December 14, 2005).

Generation
An electric utility power station uses either a turbine, engine,
water wheel, or other similar machine to drive an electric Did you know?
generator or a device that converts mechanical or chemical According to the EIA, 281 gi-
energy to generate electricity. gawatts of new generating
Steam turbines, internal- capacity will be needed by
combustion engines, gas 2025 to meet the growing de-
combustion turbines, water mand for electricity. This is
turbines, and wind turbines are the equivalent to 937 new 300-
most common methods to generate megawatt power plants.
electricity. Most power plants are
about 35 percent efficient. That
means that for every 100 units of
energy that go into a plant, only 35 Electricity Generation by Fuel Source in the
units are converted to usable United States, 2003
electrical energy.2 Petroleum
Natural Gas
3%
Most of the electricity in the United 17%
States is produced in steam
turbines. A turbine converts the
kinetic energy of a moving fluid Nuclear
(liquid or gas) to mechanical 20%
energy. Steam turbines have a Coal Hydroelectric
series of blades mounted on a shaft 51% Other 7%
against which steam is forced, thus rotating the shaft connected 0% Other
to the generator. In a fossil-fueled steam turbine, the fuel is
Renew ables
burned in a furnace to heat water in a boiler to produce steam.2
2%
2. EIA. “Electricity—A Secondary Energy Source.” http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/
Source: EIA. Electric Power Annual. 2003 data.
energyfacts/sources/electricity.html#Generation (Accessed December 14, 2005)

www.electricity.doe.gov February 2006

Generation
Transmission
Substations
A substation is a high-voltage electric system facility. It is
used to switch generators, equipment, and circuits or lines in
and out of a system. It also is used to change AC voltages
from one level to another, and/or change alternating current
to direct current or direct current to alternating current. Some
substations are small with little more than a transformer and
associated switches. Others are very large with several
transformers and dozens of switches and other equipment.5
Distribution
In the U.S., there are 10,287 transmission substations and 2,179
distribution substations.7 Transmission substations use trans-
formers to convert a generator’s voltage up to 155,000 to
765,000 volts for long distance transmission in order to reduce
transmission line losses. The distribution substation steps
power down the voltage to distribution levels and splits it into
many directions.
Substations are critical component of our distribution system,
and a loss of only 4% of transmission substations would result
in a 60% loss of connectivity.8
7. “Structural Vulnerability of the North American Power Grid.” http://arxiv.org/
PS_cache/cond-mat/pdf/0401/0401084.pdf.
8. Midwest Research Institute. “Research Team Finds US Power Grids Vulnerable.” http://
www.trackingterrorism.com/default.asp?dismode=article&foobar=1029&artid=99.

Type and Number of Equipment Installed at All U.S.

Substations
Equipment Total Number Installed
Autotransformer 12,151
Oil Circuit Breaker 193,586
Oil Circuit Recloser 7,004
There are four main types of substations: 6 Reactor 422
• Step-up transmission substations—receive electric Transformer 63,797
power from a nearby generating facility and use a large Vacuum Circuit 338
power transformer to increase the voltage for Breaker
transmission to distant locations. Vacuum Circuit 169
• Step-down transmission substations—are located at Recloser
switching points in an electrical grid. They connect Voltage Regulator 25,443
different parts of a grid and are a source for Note: Totals for all substations within the utility industry based
subtransmission lines or distribution lines. This on the assumption of 50,000 total and extrapolated from
substation can change a transmission voltage to a Entergy data.
subtransmission voltage, usually 69 kV. Source: EPA, “Data on Oil Filled and Process Equipment,” Sept. 2004.

• Distribution substations—are located near to the end- Operational Electrical Equipment Device Breakdown for
users. Distribution substation transformers change the Substations by Volume of Oil Contained in In-service
transmission or subtransmission voltage to lower levels Equipment
for use by end-users. Typical distribution voltages vary Device Volume Range Number of Pieces of
from 34,500Y/19,920 volts to 4,160Y/2400 volts. (gallons) Electrical Equipment
• Underground distribution substations—are also < 54 46,245
located near to 55-100 60,253
the end-users. 101-500 55,401
Distribution 501-1,500 36,709
substation
transformers 1,501 – 5,000 61,097
change the 5,001 - 10,000 32,869
subtransmission 10,001 – 15,000 6,878
voltage to lower 15,001 – 20,000 3,333
levels for use
> 20,000 1,435
by end-users.
Note: Totals for substations within the utility industry based on the
5. OSHA. www.osha.gov (Accessed 11/23/05). assumption of 50,000 total and extrapolated from Entergy data.
6. ibid. Source: EPA, “Data on Oil Filled and Process Equipment,” Sept. 2004.

www.electricity.doe.gov February 2006

Generation
Transmission
Distribution

Transmission
Transmission lines carry distinguish transmission lines
electric energy from one point from distribution lines are that
to another in an electric power they are operated at relatively
system. They can carry high voltages, they transmit
alternating current (AC) or large quantities of power, and
direct current (DC) or a system they transmit the power over
can be a combination of both.3 large distances.4

3. OSHA. www.osha.gov (Accessed

Also, electric current can be carried by either overhead December 13, 2005).
or underground lines. The main characteristics that 4. ibid.

Ownership of High-Voltage Transmission Lines in the U.S.,

1994 Miles of AC and DC Transmission Lines in the U.S. in 2002
Voltage (kV) Miles Voltage (kV) Miles
AC DC
230 76,762 250-300 930
345 49,250 400 852
500 26,038 450 192
765 2,453 500 1,333
Total AC 154,503 Total DC 3,307
Total AC/DC 157,810
Source: DOE “National Transmission Grid Study,” May 2002.
Source: EIA “The Changing Structure of the Electric Power Industry 2000: An
Update,” October 2000.

Circuit Miles of Electric Transmission Lines in Service by Division and Voltage Level
(Preliminary 2003 data)

Circuit Miles – Voltage Level (Kilovolts) Total % that is

Division Per Shareholder
<132 132-143 144-188 189-253 254-400 401-600 >600
Division -Owned
New England 13,092 271 -- 342 1,904 536 -- 16,145 97.4
(ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT)
Middle Atlantic 23,888 3,948 -- 5,581 3,940 2,264 351 39,972 90.8
(NY, NJ, PA)
East North Central 42,781 24,991 2,461 1,548 16,338 -- 1,218 89,336 72.7
(OH, IN, IL, MI, WI)
West North Central 69,464 1,998 9,560 8,642 8,990 1,124 -- 99,778 45.1
(MN, IA, MO, ND, SD, NE, KS)
South Atlantic
(DE, MD, DC, VA, WV, NC, SC, 48,587 8,505 491 23,167 411 5,948 644 87,753 80.5
GA, FL)
East South Central 29,117 2,237 14,014 3,445 1,003 3,270 258 53,343 42.1
(KY, TN, AL, MS)
West South Central 34,384 32,482 3,105 3,787 13,764 1,869 -- 89,392 71.8
(AR, LA, OK, TX)
Mountain
(MT, ID, WY, CO, NM, AZ, UT, 41,195 5,008 2,002 14,651 10,332 7,056 1,687 81,930 58.6
NV)
Pacific 39,511 588 571 22,687 2,876 10,803 557 77,593 61.0
(WA, OR, CA)
Alaska and Hawaii 1,749 505 -- 198 209 -- -- 2,660 44.1
(AK, HI)
Total by Voltage Level 343,768 80,533 32,204 84,048 59,767 32,870 4,715 637,902 65.2
Source: Edison Electric Institute. EEI Statistical Yearbook Based on 2004 Data. Aug. 2005.

www.electricity.doe.gov February 2006

Generation
Transmission
Distribution

Overhead Transmission
Long distance transmission is typically
done with overhead lines at voltages of 110
to 765 kV. Many of American Transmis-
sion Company’s existing overhead trans-
mission lines were built during the 1950s
and 1960s, when the common structure
design was self-supporting steel lattice tow-
ers.9 However, over 9,500 miles of new
high-voltage transmission lines (mainly 230
kV) were built during the 1990s, many of
which used other structural designs.10 The
width of the transmission line right-of-way
needed for these structures depends on their
voltage and height, and is often 75-150 feet
or more. Structures managed by utilities Source: OSHA. www.osha.gov (Accessed 12/1/05).
include: 11

Wood poles (to handle double-circuit,

138kV lines) Local electric distribution
lines, cable, and telephone lines can be
carried on the same structures to make
efficient use of space. Taller poles are
needed to do this.
Steel poles (to handle double-circuit,
138kV lines) This type of design is of-
ten used when the line will carry heavy
electric loads. Higher voltage lines re-
quire taller poles-sometime 100 feet or more. Miles of Planned Transmission Lines (230 kV or greater) in
Various NERC Regions, 2004-2013
138-kilovolt single-circuit line on weathering steel This Region Miles
type of maintenance-free structure will weather over time to
Eastern Interconnection >4,000
give the appearance of wood.
NPCC 119 (59 miles are underground)
H-frame wood structure This type of design allows for MACC 134
shorter spans. Typically, the height of the structures is less
FRCC 440
than single pole structures.
SERC 1,846 (2 miles are
Double-circuit 138-kilovolt steel lattice tower Transmis- underground)
sion structures of this design are no longer used for new con- MAIN 519 (6 miles are underground)
struction. MAPP 696
138-kilovolt steel H-frame ECAR 109
SPP 211
345-kilovolt, double-circuit on single poles Higher volt-
Western Interconnection >3,100
age lines require taller poles and wider rights-of-way.
AZ-NM 1,231
While the average life expectancy of conductors varies, those CA-NV 408
with polymer insulators have a life expectancy of greater than NPP 1,201
50 years.12 RMPP 277
9. American Transmission Company. http://www.atcllc.com/IT10.shtml . ERCOT Interconnection >350
10. Energy Information Administration. “Electricity Transmission Fact Sheet.” http://
www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/page/fact_sheets/transmission.html. Total Planned Miles >7,100
11. American Transmission Company. http://www.atcllc.com/IT10.shtml . Source: EEI “Meeting U.S. Transmission Needs,” July 2005.
12. Hubbell Power Systems. www.hubbellpowersystems.com.

www.electricity.doe.gov February 2006

Generation
Transmission
Distribution

Underground Transmission • High pressure, gas-filled pipe (HPGF)- A HPGF pipe

is similar to the fluid-filled pipe with the exception of the
Underground transmission lines account for only 0.2% of the dielectric oil, which has been
total transmission lines installed in the U.S. in 2001. At the replaced with nitrogen.
same time, almost half
(49%) of the capital expen- • Self contained fluid-filled
ditures for new transmis- (SCFF)- SCFF pipes are
sion and distribution wires often the choice for underwa-
between 1993 and 2002 has ter installations. These hol-
been invested in under- low conductors are filled
ground wires.13 with an insulating fluid,
wrapped with an insulating paper, followed by a metal
Underground transmission sheath and plastic coating. These are not placed together
lines have a safe life of 25- in a pipe for installation, and remain independent.
35 years, but can become
unreliable after 15-20 • Cross-linked polyethylene
years. Underground lines (XLPE)- In the XLPE, also
cost approximately $1 mil- called a “solid dielectric”
lion per mile; 10 times transmission line, a solid
more than an overhead dielectric material replaces
transmission line.14 the pressurized liquid or
gas described in the previ-
There are four main types of underground transmission lines, ously. These are not
which include:15 installed in a bundle,
rather each conductor;
• High pressure, fluid- surrounded by a semi-
filled pipe (HPFF)- conductive shield,
HPFF pipes are the cross-linked polyethyl-
most common in the ene insulation, and a
U.S. Each pipe con- metallic shield and
sists of a single steel plastic coating; is set
pipe with three, high- individually in a con-
voltage, aluminum or crete track.
copper conductors
13. Edison Electric Institute. “Out of Sight, Out of Mind?” A Study on the Costs and
inside surrounded by dielectric oil at 200 psi. Each con- Benefits of Undergrounding Overhead Power Lines.” Jan. 2004.
ductor is insulated with oil impregnated paper, and cov- 14. ibid.
15. Wise, Kristi. “Going Underground: A Growing Reality for Transmission Line
ered in a metal shielding. Routing?” http://www.eei.org/meetings/nonav_meeting_files/nonav_2003-03-30-
km/index.htm. Mar. 2003.

Typical Capital Costs for Electric Transmission Lines,

Miles of Installed Overhead and Underground Line
by Voltage
as of 2001
Capital Cost
Transmission Facility
Over Head Distribution, ($ per mile)
67% New 345 kV single circuit line 915,000
Under Ground New 345 kV double circuit line 1,710,000
Distribution, 20.8% New 138 kV single circuit line 390,000
New 138 kV double circuit line 540,000
Over Head Transmission, Approximately 4
Under Ground Single circuit underground lines times the cost of
12%
Transmission, 0.2% single circuit lines
Upgrade 69 kV to 138 kV line 400,000
Source: EEI. “Out of Sight, Out of Mind?” A Study on the Costs and Benefits of Source: National Council on Electricity Policy, “Electricity Transmission: A Primer,”
Undergrounding Overhead Power Lines.” Jan. 2004. June 2004.

www.electricity.doe.gov February 2006

Generation
Transmission
Distribution

Electric Utility Cost Trends

The Handy-Whitman Indexes
show the level of costs for
different types of utility
construction. The index is
maintained for general items of
construction, such as reinforced
concrete, and specific items of
material or equipment, such as
pipe or turbo-generators.

Based on data from this index,

electric utility construction costs
are typically higher for
transmission plants than they are
for distribution plants. Over the
past decade, the cost trends for
transmission plants have
increased 23 percent and those
for distribution plants have
increased 21 percent.16

16. Edison Electric Institute. EEI Statistical

Yearbook Based on 2004 Data. Aug. 2005.

The Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE)

The Office maintains the following three divisions: Mission:

The mission of the Office of Electricity
• OE Research and Development Delivery and Energy Reliability is to lead
Division—researches and develops the national efforts to modernize the electric
next generation of electricity grid; enhance security and reliability of
transmission and delivery the energy infrastructure, and facilitate
recovery from disruptions to energy
technologies to make America’s supply.
energy system less vulnerable and
more productive in the future. Director:
Kevin Kolevar
• OE Permitting, Siting and Analysis Division—works to
expand energy transmission and Communications:
delivery capacity in the United States Vernellia Johnson
and between the United States and vernellia.Johnson@hq.doe.gov
our neighbors. We study today’s
markets and regulations to identify U.S. Department of Energy
better ways of managing and Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability
operating our energy systems in the future. 1000 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20585
(202) 586-7701
• OE Infrastructure Security and (202) 586-1472
Energy Restoration Division—helps
protect America’s critical Produced for:
infrastructure from disruption and The U.S. Department of Energy
restore it as quickly as possible in by Energetics, Incorporated
emergencies.
www.electricity.doe.gov February 2006