Every time you flip a light switch, you’re connecting to one of the most complex systems ever built, also known as the North American electric grid. Often called the largest interconnected machine in the world, this network spans the U.S., Canada and parts of Mexico. It includes thousands of generators, hundreds of thousands of miles of transmission lines and millions of miles of distribution power lines all working together to keep the lights on.
How does electricity get from a power plant to your home? And where do electric co-ops fit in? Let’s break it down. The electric grid has three major components: generation, transmission and distribution. Each plays a critical role in delivering a constant supply of electricity.
Making the power
In the U.S., most power plants produce electricity by burning fossil fuels or by harnessing renewable resources. To ensure that enough electricity is generated to keep the lights on at an affordable price, two main structures exist.
The first is a vertically integrated model, where in some regions, a single utility owns everything from power plants to power lines and delivers electricity directly to consumers.
In other areas, a second model is used. Instead of one company making and delivering power, many companies sell electricity in a competitive market. Utilities buy electricity from these generators and deliver it to consumers like you.
In this model, a group called a regional transmission operator (RTO) or independent system operator (ISO) helps keep everything running. They make sure enough power is available at all times. This system is called a wholesale market, and it lets utilities buy extra power when they need it.
Most electric co-ops don’t own large power plants. Instead, they purchase power through contracts, wholesale markets or from their generation and transmission cooperative (G&T), a member-owned utility that serves multiple co-ops in a designated region.
G&Ts are owned by their member distribution co-ops. G&Ts often own power plants and transmission lines. They also invest in new generation sources and build infrastructure, all while staying true to the cooperative model: member-focused, not profit-driven.
The energy superhighway
Once electricity is generated, it doesn’t stay at the power plant. It begins a long journey to reach homes, farms and businesses. Power must travel across regions to where it’s needed most, and that’s where the transmission system comes in. These high-voltage lines act like energy superhighways, moving electricity over hundreds of miles before it’s stepped down for local distribution.
Transmission lines move enormous amounts of electricity efficiently across regions. Most distribution co-ops don’t own these lines, but rely on their G&T to handle this part. G&Ts make sure power gets from the plant to your co-op.
However, the electricity carried by transmission lines cannot be used as is because of the high voltage levels. That’s the job of the distribution network, which is the final step that brings power to your home.
The last mile
The distribution network is the last segment of the electric grid and delivers generated energy from the transmission network to consumers. The high-voltage power from transmission lines is converted to lower voltages that home appliances and personal devices can use. This is where your co-op comes in to keep local lines maintained and power flowing to members.
Understanding how power moves from generation to your home helps explain why reliability and affordability depend on teamwork and collaboration between your local co-op, its G&T partners and the broader grid. Together, co-ops are preparing for tomorrow’s challenges, so you can count on safe, reliable power for years to come.
Photo courtesy of NRECA
