5 ms·

I wonder what are the benefits of keeping the grid synchronous? Would it be possible to have multiple smaller grids, still interconnected, but without being ke

I wonder what are the benefits of keeping the grid synchronous? Would it be possible to have multiple smaller grids, still interconnected, but without being kept in sync? I'm not sure if what I'm saying is possible or efficient, but converting AC to DC, transmitting the energy, then converting DC to AC so the frequency becomes irrelevant.

gspr 6y ago
For one, it's used for timekeeping.
- filmor 6y ago
  That's more of a side-effect, not the goal of a synchronous grid.
tsar_nikolai 6y ago
> I wonder what are the benefits of keeping the grid synchronous? > Wide area synchronous networks improve reliability and permit the pooling of resources. Also, they can level out the load, which reduces the required generating capacity, allow more environmentally-friendly power to be employed; and allow more diverse power generation schemes and permit economies of scale. [0] [0] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_area_synchronous_grid https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_area_synchronous_grid
calaphos 6y ago
It is absolutely possible and exactly how connections between the different grids are done, e.g. between the power grids of North America or between the European grid and Russia. HVDC of course has the disadvantage of extra conversion equipment. HV circuit breakers are also significantly more complex as an arc will form as long as current is flowing. With AC this happens at the zero automatically, nothing like this with DC.
- asmithmd1 6y ago
  You can see on this map the purple DC lines between England and France and Ireland https://www.entsoe.eu/data/map/ https://www.entsoe.eu/data/map/ I am amazed the grid goes all the way to Iraq
- erk__ 6y ago
  Does not even need to be between countries for example east and west of Denmark are on two different grids which only recently got connected 10 years ago. (Large HVDC under the great belt) I am pretty sure the map on the site is "wrong" as Sjælland (Zealand) the large eastern island of Denmark is on the nordic grid, and so is Bornholm which nearly exclusivly gets it power from Sweden.
  - Symbiote 6y ago
    The map on Wikipedia is better, as it divides Denmark correctly, and also excludes several other large European islands that are not connected to the grid. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchronous_grid_of_Continental_Europe#/media/File:Wide_area_synchronous_grid_(Eurasia,_Mediterranean).png https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchronous_grid_of_Continenta...
7thaccount 6y ago
Multiple small grids (probably not interconnected) would be like microgrids. In general, interconnection allows for the sharing of generators. My 30 year old coal unit might not need to run because I can buy electricity from your cheaper gas plant.

gspr 6y ago

For one, it's used for timekeeping.

filmor 6y ago
That's more of a side-effect, not the goal of a synchronous grid.

tsar_nikolai 6y ago

> I wonder what are the benefits of keeping the grid synchronous? > Wide area synchronous networks improve reliability and permit the pooling of resources. Also, they can level out the load, which reduces the required generating capacity, allow more environmentally-friendly power to be employed; and allow more diverse power generation schemes and permit economies of scale. [0] [0] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_area_synchronous_grid https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_area_synchronous_grid

calaphos 6y ago

It is absolutely possible and exactly how connections between the different grids are done, e.g. between the power grids of North America or between the European grid and Russia. HVDC of course has the disadvantage of extra conversion equipment. HV circuit breakers are also significantly more complex as an arc will form as long as current is flowing. With AC this happens at the zero automatically, nothing like this with DC.

asmithmd1 6y ago
You can see on this map the purple DC lines between England and France and Ireland https://www.entsoe.eu/data/map/ https://www.entsoe.eu/data/map/ I am amazed the grid goes all the way to Iraq
erk__ 6y ago
Does not even need to be between countries for example east and west of Denmark are on two different grids which only recently got connected 10 years ago. (Large HVDC under the great belt) I am pretty sure the map on the site is "wrong" as Sjælland (Zealand) the large eastern island of Denmark is on the nordic grid, and so is Bornholm which nearly exclusivly gets it power from Sweden.
- Symbiote 6y ago
  The map on Wikipedia is better, as it divides Denmark correctly, and also excludes several other large European islands that are not connected to the grid. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchronous_grid_of_Continental_Europe#/media/File:Wide_area_synchronous_grid_(Eurasia,_Mediterranean).png https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchronous_grid_of_Continenta...

7thaccount 6y ago

Multiple small grids (probably not interconnected) would be like microgrids. In general, interconnection allows for the sharing of generators. My 30 year old coal unit might not need to run because I can buy electricity from your cheaper gas plant.