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High Voltage Transmission Lines and Large Substations All Rights Reserved AN INTRODUCTION This discussion will begin by noting relatively minor and introductory details about our vast power grid. Then this discussion will progress into more serious matters. Let us begin by considering one of the main features of our vast grid: those high voltage transmission lines. A high voltage, electrical power transmission system interconnects generators and their load centers. The load centers are places of ultimate use of generated electrical power, such as cities and towns. The transmission systems may provide multiple paths between generating facilities and load centers. The multiple transmission paths and interconnected systems are commonly called "The Grid." For a basic introduction to the power grid, simply click on the buttons below. It is time for us to seriously consider the power grid, to which most of us are now connected and by which most of us, to a degree, are made very vulnerable and somewhat held hostage for lack of a better system. A CRITICAL BACKBONE A large number of high voltage transmission lines are the backbone of our immense power grid and have been for years. When everything is working correctly in a relatively stable world, the power grid does serve us reasonably well. But we live in a changing world, one which includes a considerable amount of uncertainty. We live in a rapidly changing world, where terrorist acts can readily occur, sometimes on a major scale. These acts usually occur at the most inopportune times. These terrorist acts have been known to create power outages. Power outages can have dire, sometimes very costly and even deadly effects. Large, high voltage substations located near major metropolitan load centers have served our cities reasonably well. But then again, we live in a changing world. Sabotage and terrorism are not unknown factors in this world. Upon looking at the unrest in our world, there appears to be a potential for detrimental terrorist acts to increase in the times ahead. On the other hand, there is the lone bird or animal which can, without even trying, take down an important substation and cause a power blackout. Even simple human error has been known to create large-scale power outages, as will be noted later in this discussion. BIRD AND ANIMAL PROBLEMS To view an introductory article about the potential for birds to cause problems with high voltage power grids, simply click on the button below. Osprey, eagles, hawks, ravens, and kingbirds may build their nests on power poles, large transmission line towers, and even within critical sections of high voltage substations. In some cases, these nests can cause bird electrocutions, fires, equipment damage, and even serious power outages. In many cases, these nests cannot simply be moved. Because many species of birds are protected by State and Federal laws, precious time must be taken in which to obtain the required permits to even touch or move the nest. Possibly, during the time spent waiting for a permit, the bird may be electrocuted while the grid suffers from equipment damage and a power outage. For a serious introduction to articles regarding bird and animal caused power outages, simply click on the buttons below. A further search of the Internet for bird and animal caused power outages will bring up even much more information. LIFE SUPPORT To most of us, a power outage of an hour or more may simply be an inconvenience. But what about people on home-based life support systems? An outage of one hour, or even a much shorter outage, could potentially result in the death of a human. For introductory information regarding power outages and people on life support systems, simply click on the button below. In our changing world, it is important that the power supplied to our cities and towns, plus the surrounding rural areas, be as stable as possible. Yes, even a relatively short power outage may be deadly to some individuals. PACEMAKERS AND HEALTH ISSUES Transmission lines are surrounded by alternating magnetic and electric fields which can induce stray voltages in objects near them. This phenomenon generally falls under the term "field effects." Field effects can potentially interference with the proper functioning of certain cardiac pacemakers and other electrical and electronic devices. An individual would need to do further research to determine if their particular pacemaker may be negatively affected by transmission lines. For an introduction to field effect problems and concerns, read the webpages accessed by the buttons below. This report section is also a warning to people with pacemakers, regarding their safety around high voltage transmission lines. HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINES At this point, the discussion will turn to other issues. High voltage transmission line right-of-ways require continual maintenance to prevent trees from becoming a danger to these very critical main lines. A tree does not always have to be close to a high voltage transmission line under normal conditions, to become a danger to the system or nearby people, in other situations. When a heavy load is placed on a high voltage transmission line, the heavy current can cause heating in the line. This heat causes the metal in the line to expand. The expansion causes a lengthening of the line, which causes the line to sag: sometimes a considerable distance toward the ground. This situation brings the line closer to features and trees on the ground. When a high voltage transmission line comes in contact with a tree, a large power outage may result. But, a high voltage line does not even need to contact a tree to become a serious problem. A tree which becomes electrically energized may cause serious injury or electrocution to people in the immediate vicinity of the tree or in contact with it. For information about trees and high voltage transmission lines, plus electrical hazards, simply click on the buttons below. POWER OUTAGES AND MAINTENANCE When a high voltage transmission line contacts a tree, there is the potential for a very large power outage to occur. An electrified tree may also start a fire, which can cause further property damage. To prevent such an occurance, the transmission Right-of-Way must be properly maintained. For information relating to blackouts and the sometimes costly expenditures for Right-of-Way maintenance, plus the large number of maintenance projects, simply click on the buttons below. For additional information relating to power outages, and even cascading failures (yes, the domino effect) in high voltage power systems, simply click on the buttons below. HUMAN ERROR, OUTAGES AND COMPUTERS Sometimes, it is mainly human error which can cause a major problem in our vast high voltage transmission systems. Computers and automated systems, in these instances, may just help to complicate and compound the problem. Consider the major blackout which is examined in the slow-loading, yet important article accessed via the first button below. The second and third buttons below show another large blackout which occurred in Arizona, California and Mexico. It appears the outage was accidentally caused by a power company employee who was performing some very basic work at a substation. The failure of automatic safeguards caused the power outage to become widespread. Yes, major problems can be created in our rather vulnerable power grid, sometimes by very simple factors. CORONA LOSS AND OTHER EFFECTS Corona losses, to one degree or another, are associated with all transmission lines. Corona is the physical manifestation of just one form of power loss which occurs in high voltage transmission lines. These power losses are actually operating inefficiencies. These inefficiencies cause a revenue loss to power companies, plus increased costs to ratepayers. Dust, water droplets, smoke particles and other conductive particles on the transmission line, plus reduced atmospheric pressure or higher temperatures, can lower the voltage at which corona loss may begin. With high voltage transmission lines, it appears a type of juggling act is involved. The higher the voltage used in the transmission line, the more prone the line is to corona discharge losses. Corona discharge can produce chemical reactions in the air surrounding high voltage transmission lines. The chemicals produced in the air may corrode metal parts in the power system, plus break down or degrade the insulators. Damaged insulators can readily increase the electrical power loss in the system. For information regarding corona discharge and electrical losses, simply click on the buttons below. The first article linked below indicates that California, in 2008, lost almost 7 percent of its produced electrical energy via these types of power losses. Corona and induced current effects associated with high voltage transmission lines increase the shock potential for humans and animals in the vicinity of the power line. For introductory information on this matter, simply click on the buttons below. Corona around a high voltage transmission line can also produce chemical reactions in the air surrounding the transmission line. In our environmentally-conscious era, it may be worth considering these chemical reactions for they produce ozone and nitrogen oxides. The longer the length of the transmission line, the more area there is in which to produce these detrimental gases. To view articles which include information about ozone and nitrogen oxide production (gaseous effluents) around high voltage power lines, simply click on the buttons below. ANATOMY OF A POWER SYSTEM It is time to examine a very large, world-class electrical power system. Hydro-Québec's electricity transmission system is an international system, with the major portion residing within Quebec, Canada. A smaller portion of this massive electrical system extends into the northeastern part of the United States. To view information about this very important system, simply click on the buttons below. The Hydro-Québec electrical system transmits an immense amount of high voltage electricity for very great distances. To effectively transmit all this electrical energy, this large system has a backbone of ultra high voltage 735 / 765 kV transmission lines. But, this large system has experienced its share of problems. During the 1989 Geomagnetic storm, this vast electrical system was put out of service. As a result, six million people and the rest of Quebec were without power for hours on a very cold night. This information is noted in the webpages linked below. During the 1998 ice storm, approximately 116 transmission lines went out of service on a very cold winter night. The ice loading and wind together worked to collapse and destroy 200 transmission towers. Added to this devastation were 1000 pylons which were damaged or destroyed. This resulted in cascading failures on many transmission lines. Approximately 4,000 transformers were also damaged or destroyed, along with a great distance of downed power lines. A large, ultra-high-voltage regional power system has proven to have its vulnerabilities and problems. Many things were learned from the Hydro-Québec system failure, but our major transmission networks are still somewhat vulnerable to even the forces of nature. Problems created by large transmission systems should be considered as we plan for the future. FOR SERIOUS CONSIDERATION Up to this point, this discussion has mainly addressed critical problems in the high voltage transmission grid relating to natural causes. But there is more to consider in relation to our very complex grid of major transmission lines and large high voltage substations. The critical transmission system is computer controlled. To complicate things, we live in a changing world in which there are determined and dangerous computer hackers. Yes, cyber warfare can happen at any moment. Our power grids are especially vulnerable to these dangerous computer warriors. For introductory information relating to a potential for a devastating cyber attack on the power grid, simply click on the buttons below. It is very clear that foreign cyberspies, and possibly even domestic cyberspies, have penetrated the computer systems which control the power grid for the United States. It is also very clear that these cyberspies have implanted dangerous software which could be used to take control of, or seriously damage the nation's power grid at any time desired. To add to an already detrimental situation, it appears that cyberspies have extorted large amounts of money from power companies as a form of hush money. It appears that power companies would rather pay the extortionists so they will keep quiet about their activities, rather than having the public find out how very vulnerable our power grid truly is. It appears that a major national security problem has been created via our large-scale, computer controlled power grid. It appears that hackers can insert software which will cause false information about system integrity to be delivered to power system monitors. In the event of war, it appears that an enemy could readily cause a disruption or disable the power grid of the United States and bring the nation virtually to its knees. Not only could the power grid be negatively affected, but also the water and sewage systems, plus oil production facilities could be seriously degraded. Considering things further, if the power grid were majorly disrupted or disabled, filling stations would not be able to pump gasoline or diesel fuel. The loss of the power grid would create a multitude of cascading problems throughout the country. Living conditions could rapidly become rather primitive and even dangerous for a large portion of the people within the United State, especially those living in cities. THE BOTTOM LINE The engineers have done their best to create a workable electrical power system and it has served us reasonable well over the years. For this, they must be commended. But our changing world leaves us with the potential for many problems to be created for humanity via our vast power grid. With our complex, computer controlled and interconnected power grid, it could be said that we are, to a degree, operating on a hope and, for some, a prayer. This complex system may be of great benefit when everything is working properly. But, this vast and complex system actually makes us very vulnerable to terrorist attack and the detrimental effects of certain natural phenomenon. The bottom line is this: with our massive interconnected power grid, it truly appears that we have created a major national security problem which could severely "bite" us in the times ahead. This power grid has generally helped our economy over the years, but it could also be an "Achilles heel" which could take down our country and its people. A MAJOR HAZARD For information concerning natural phenomenon, such as space weather, which can create havoc with our power grids, simply click on the buttons below. The report accessed via the button below contains some grammatical errors, yet the information may be of interest. CONDUCTIVE SMOKE High voltage transmission lines can have a portion of their electricity hijacked by smoke. For introductory information of this scenario, simply click on the buttons below and scan down to sections which speak about smoke being a conductor of electricity. The BPA article, linked below, in the section titled 'FIRES,' declares that "smoke and hot gases from a large fire can create a conductive path for electricity. When a fire is burning under a power line, electricity could arc from the wire, through the smoke and to the ground, endangering people and objects near the arc." There is more to consider on the subject of conductive materials in the air which may cause problems for power systems. In regards to this matter, consider again the information presented in the article accessed via the button below. What would it be like if terrorists used these same methods against the power grid in the United States? HUMAN NATURE It is time to consider an interesting phenomenon. Things in motion tend to stay in that particular nature of motion for some time, unless something impedes this motion. People like to do something the way it has always been done, unless something major happens to cause them to change their mind and do things differently. Regarding large high voltage transmission lines: past generations installed and used many of these lines, so it appears that we are hell-bent on doing things the same way. But, are we simply making ourselves more vulnerable, especially in a changing world? But there is more to consider in this story. GOING TO THE LIMIT There are organizations which would like to squeeze even more out of our existing, aging and very vulnerable and overworked power grids. In relation to this, the articles accessed via the buttons below may be worth considering. NOTABLE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS There are notable electrical engineers who can precisely define problems which have occurred in our vulnerable power grid. They may be able to present logical sounding solutions. But, are their "solutions" the ultimate and final fix for the electrical energy dilemma which we face in this nation? An example of an engineer's thoughts are presented in the article accessed via the button below. FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS After considering all the information presented thus far in this discussion, it is time to consider what truly is wrong with the sprawling electrical power system now in use. The articles accessed via the buttons below are well worth reading. The articles linked above reveal many problems which exist within our massive and very vulnerable electrical power system. Furthermore, it appears that bureaucracy and the lust for quick money has not truly helped our nation. Instead, it appears that we have created a potentially devastating mess for ourselves and a serious national security threat. We have created a larger problem for ourselves than any problem which could be created by a major terrorist organization. FROM THE "EXPERTS" The lower part of the article, linked here, presents some ideas set forth by the "experts" for helping to fix (or put a Band Aid on) the power grid mess. But, these so-called fixes are not ones which will necessarily help the consumer. Instead, the so-called fixes appear to be aimed at helping the rich fat cats who control and gamble with the electrical energy future of the whole country. The U.S. Department of Energy declared that the people who benefit from the [massive electrical] system have to be part of the solution. In an apparent move of deception, the Department of Energy advocates rate increases to consumers. The basic truth of the matter is this: the fat cats who gamble with and control the electrical power industry are the real ones benefitting from the way the power system is currently assembled. ROBBING THE NATION Instead of the rich fat-cats paying to expand and improve the over-stressed electrical systems, they expect the over-taxed consumers to foot the bill. It appears they are expecting the "ripped off" consumers to pay for being "ripped off" further. Is this not something like "rape and pillage" in operation? Are we not paying a very high price so the rich boys and girls can further enslave the general public and gamble with our energy future, our economy and our national security? IMPORTANT QUESTIONS At this point, some questions need to be asked. What are government agencies and politicians doing to the vast majority of us? Are government agencies and politicians being used by the fat cats as vehicles to help in their efforts to "rape and pillage" a much larger general public? More questions should also be asked. What could be done to truly fix this mess, in a manner which would actually be beneficial to the consumer, the overall economy and for increased national security? What could be done to make our nation's electrical power system less vulnerable to terrorist attack? What is the "blueprint" for creating a more secure economy and nation? THE BLUEPRINT Instead of building more high voltage transmission lines, which are vulnerable to terrorist attack and other problems, we should be segmenting our system. Instead of "putting all our eggs in one basket" with the use of large, remote generating facilities and miles of major transmission lines, we should be building many smaller generating facilities which are located near or directly within the metropolitan load centers. As our power systems are updated, wherever there would normally be a large substation in the older designs (which would be fed by major transmission lines in the older designs), there could be a relatively small, somewhat independent power generating plant. This plant may have ties which can connect it to other relatively local generating plants in case one plant goes down or has problems. But, the use of lengthy, very high voltage transmission lines may be reduced or eventually eliminated. SOME ADVANTAGES By following the above "blueprint," there would not be a need for building more lengthy and costly runs of high voltage transmission lines. As the power system is updated, aging and lengthy high voltage transmission lines could be removed. By following the above "blueprint," a terrorist organization or cyber attacker would possibly be limited to a much smaller negative impact on our nation and economy. But there is actually much more to this story. A NEW GENERATION A number of smaller generating facilities would need to be built near or within metropolitan areas and rural regions. These generating facilities would likely be powered by reciprocating engines and would be of a nature similar to the generating facilities discussed in the report on this website titled 'Considering Large-Scale Power Plants.' That report may be accessed via the button below. Reciprocating-engine-powered electrical generating facilities, as currently configured, are rather inefficient, not very environmentally-friendly, and waste a considerable amount of their fuel's heat energy. But these problems can be rectified relatively easily. By properly implementing the technology shown in this website, the small engine-driven generating facilities could become extremely efficient, very environmentally-friendly, and very miserly with their fuel usage. An added benefit may be greatly reduced operating costs which could translate to reduced power rates for consumers. This would produce a win-win situation for the consumer and our nation at large.
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