In today’s world, electricity is at the core of almost everything we do. From powering our homes and businesses to keeping our hospitals running, the importance of reliable electricity cannot be overstated. But while many people recognize the importance of having the lights stay on, few understand how our power grid works or what exactly makes electricity reliable.
At Dependable Power First Kentucky, we’ve launched a new video series to help educate people on these important issues. In our first video, we introduce two key concepts: the power grid and electric reliability, and the importance of something called “baseload power” to both.
What is the Power Grid?
The power grid is a vast, interconnected network that takes electricity from power plants and delivers it to homes, businesses, and industries. It consists of power plants, transmission lines, substations, and distribution networks. This system is complex, but it’s what makes sure you have the electricity you need when you flip a switch.
Why is Electric Reliability Important?
Electric reliability refers to the ability of the grid to consistently deliver electricity without interruption. In an ideal world, power would always be available, but real-world challenges like storms and other extreme weather events, increasing electricity demand, and misguided federal regulations are straining our grid. That’s where the concept of baseload power comes in.
The Role of Baseload Power Plants
Baseload power plants – which run on coal and natural gas – are the backbone of our energy system. They generate electricity around the clock, providing the steady supply that’s needed to meet demand even during peak times. Without these plants, our grid would be far less reliable, and electricity costs would likely be much higher.
Watch the First Video Today
We encourage you to watch the first video in our series, where we explain these concepts in more detail. You can find the video at the top of this blog and here: “Understanding the Electricity Grid and Electric Reliability“
Stay tuned for more videos in the series, where we’ll explore other key aspects of Kentucky’s power grid, including the human and economic costs of shutting down our power plants and emerging opportunities for economic development.
