Wheeling (electric power transmission)
Encyclopedia
In electric power transmission
, wheeling is a term used to describe either of the following:
Electric power networks are divided into transmission and distribution networks. Transmission line
s move electric power between generating facilities
and substations
, usually in or near population centers. From substations, power is sent to users over a distribution network
. A transmission line might move power a few miles or hundreds of miles.
An electric utility that generates power does not have to own power transmission lines: only a connection to the network or grid. The utility then pays the owner of the transmission line based on how much power is being moved and how congested the line is.
Some power generating entities join a group which has shared ownership of transmission lines. These groups may include investor-owned utilities, government agencies, or a combination of these.
Since prices to move power are based on congestion in transmission line networks, utilities try to charge customers more to use power during peak usage (demand) periods. This is accomplished by installing time-of-use meters to recover wheeling costs.
Electric power transmission
Electric-power transmission is the bulk transfer of electrical energy, from generating power plants to Electrical substations located near demand centers...
, wheeling is a term used to describe either of the following:
- the act of transporting electric power (megawatts or megavolt-amperes) over transmission lines, or;
- the act of providing the service of transporting electric power over transmission lines.
Electric power networks are divided into transmission and distribution networks. Transmission line
Transmission line
In communications and electronic engineering, a transmission line is a specialized cable designed to carry alternating current of radio frequency, that is, currents with a frequency high enough that its wave nature must be taken into account...
s move electric power between generating facilities
Power station
A power station is an industrial facility for the generation of electric energy....
and substations
Electrical substation
A substation is a part of an electrical generation, transmission, and distribution system. Substations transform voltage from high to low, or the reverse, or perform any of several other important functions...
, usually in or near population centers. From substations, power is sent to users over a distribution network
Electricity distribution
File:Electricity grid simple- North America.svg|thumb|380px|right|Simplified diagram of AC electricity distribution from generation stations to consumers...
. A transmission line might move power a few miles or hundreds of miles.
An electric utility that generates power does not have to own power transmission lines: only a connection to the network or grid. The utility then pays the owner of the transmission line based on how much power is being moved and how congested the line is.
Some power generating entities join a group which has shared ownership of transmission lines. These groups may include investor-owned utilities, government agencies, or a combination of these.
Since prices to move power are based on congestion in transmission line networks, utilities try to charge customers more to use power during peak usage (demand) periods. This is accomplished by installing time-of-use meters to recover wheeling costs.