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85-599: Red Eléctrica de España ( Spanish pronunciation: [reð eˈleɣtɾika ðe esˈpaɲa] ; REE ) is a partly state-owned and public limited Spanish corporation which operates the national electricity grid in Spain , where it operates the national power transmission system . It also holds assets in Peru, Chile and Brazil. The company was created in 1985 by the State-owned holding company Instituto Nacional de Industria (INI) to provide

170-555: A power outage , known as a blackout . A power outage (also called a power cut , a power out , a power blackout , power failure or a blackout ) is a loss of the electric power to a particular area. GDF Suez Engie SA (stylised in all caps as ENGIE ) is a French multinational electric utility company, headquartered in La Défense , Courbevoie . Its activities cover electricity generation and distribution , natural gas , nuclear power , renewable energy , and

255-516: A strategic alliance . TDE was said to have been acquired for 92 million euros for over 99% of the company from Union Fenosa in 2002. TDE contributed approximately some 1.5% of Red Electrica's total revenues and EBITDA. On 13 November 2014, Bolivia's government agreed to pay $ 36.5 million to Red Electrica in compensation for the nationalisation of TDE. The company owns 100% of Peruvian utility company REDESUR (Red Eléctrica del SUR) in south of Perú. REE reached 100% in this firm in 2017, after acquiring

340-453: A 9 GWh production capacity, to reach a renewable installed capacity of 52 to 64 GW by 2026. As far as the services are concerned, Isabelle Kocher's plan is to develop "energy transition as a service" for large companies and metropolises, whom she says are driving the "second wave of energy transition" by searching ways to reduce their carbon emissions (the first wave having been driven by the states). She also says it might be "the invention of

425-453: A company that previously was ours." The Spanish Ambassador Ramon Santos said that the move was "sending a negative message that generates distrust." Following the measure, soldiers took over the corporate headquarters in Cochabamba peacefully and raised Bolivian flags. It also follows the partial nationalisation of the electric grid in 2010, including hydroelectric plants. However, in the past

510-497: A controlled flow of energy while also functionally isolating the independent AC frequencies of each side. The benefits of synchronous zones include pooling of generation, resulting in lower generation costs; pooling of load, resulting in significant equalizing effects; common provisioning of reserves, resulting in cheaper primary and secondary reserve power costs; opening of the market, resulting in possibility of long-term contracts and short term power exchanges; and mutual assistance in

595-421: A dedicated entity named "Engie Fab" focused on the development of intelligent networks (smart grids), Internet of objects, green mobility, energy storage, and hydrogen. Between 2016 and 2018, Engie invested €15 billion in new activities, financed by the sale of coal and upstream oil and gas. In 2019, Isabelle Kocher announces the strategic plan of the company for the 2019–2021 period, with an ambition to become

680-465: A different region to ensure continuing, reliable power and diversify their loads. Interconnection also allows regions to have access to cheap bulk energy by receiving power from different sources. For example, one region may be producing cheap hydro power during high water seasons, but in low water seasons, another area may be producing cheaper power through wind, allowing both regions to access cheaper energy sources from one another during different times of

765-435: A large scale within an electrical power grid . Electrical energy is stored during times when electricity is plentiful and inexpensive (especially from intermittent power sources such as renewable electricity from wind power , tidal power and solar power ) or when demand is low, and later power is generated when demand is high, and electricity prices tend to be higher. As of 2020 , the largest form of grid energy storage

850-428: A local power grid, it will cause safety issue like burning out. Grids are designed to supply electricity to their customers at largely constant voltages. This has to be achieved with varying demand, variable reactive loads, and even nonlinear loads, with electricity provided by generators and distribution and transmission equipment that are not perfectly reliable. Often grids use tap changers on transformers near to

935-521: A loss of generation capacity for customers, or excess demand. This will often cause the frequency to reduce, and the remaining generators will react and together attempt to stabilize above the minimum. If that is not possible then a number of scenarios can occur. A large failure in one part of the grid — unless quickly compensated for — can cause current to re-route itself to flow from the remaining generators to consumers over transmission lines of insufficient capacity, causing further failures. One downside to

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1020-559: A matter of discussing a fair price, while in Argentina they didn't even want to meet with us." The vice president of the Spanish business confederation CEOE , Arturo Fernandez, said that "Spain seems to be the film bad guy as other foreign investors aren't going through a similar situation in the region. [The Spanish government] needs to take serious measures, as these moves could be contagious and spread to other countries." de Guindos also said this

1105-483: A new industry" of a 1 billion dollar potential value. Engie also announces its intention to leave 20 of the 70 countries where it is active, and focus its activities on 20 countries and 30 metropolitan areas, mainly in Southeast Asia and Africa. Thanks to former Suez subsidiaries such as Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR), Electrabel and Société hydroélectrique du Midi  [ fr ] (SHEM), GDF Suez

1190-961: A number of countries outside France. Most notably, the company is the leading producer in both Belgium and the Netherlands through Electrabel (and the fifth-largest generator in Europe overall), as well as the largest non- state owned generator in both Brazil and Thailand (thanks to majority stakes in Engie Brasil and Glow Energy respectively). The company also operates in North and Latin America through its Suez Energy International unit, as well as in other European and Asian countries. The company generates electricity through various types of plants, including thermal power, nuclear power, combined heat and power , wind farms , hydroelectric and biomass . Engie

1275-411: A previous agreement to sell the stake to Électricité de France . Suez, meanwhile, was forced to reduce its shareholding in natural gas distributor Fluxys and sell its Belgian gas supply subsidiary Distrigas to Eni . The newly created GDF Suez came into existence on July 22, 2008; the world's second-largest utility with over €74 billion in annual revenues. The deal resulted in the conversion of

1360-822: A result, Engie abandoned two coal-fired power plants projects in Ada Yumurtalik ( Turkey ) and in Thabametsi ( South Africa ). In February 2016, Engie announced the selling of its stakes in the Paiton power plant located in Indonesia and in the Meenakshi power plant located in India . Engie also announced the closing of the Rugeley power station in England . In May 2016 Engie CEO Isabelle Kocher told

1445-413: A strong concern for their impact on the environment, as they are extremely cautious about keeping in line with strict environmental standards. Concepts they have adapted are both respect for the natural environment, and conservation of biodiversity. The Bolivian Government has invested a lot of time and money into the nationalization of this expansive Spanish company, and is working towards improvements on

1530-830: A transaction worth €7.1bn. In August 2023, it was announced Engie had acquired the Houston -based battery storage company, Broad Reach Power. Since 2014, Engie has operated a strategic shift, by reducing future exploration in fossil fuels and investing massively in renewable energies (solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, hydroelectric, and nuclear) and energy efficiency services. In 2015, Engie announced its decision to stop new investments in coal plants and to dispose of €15 billion in assets in order to reinvest into projects that promote low-carbon, distributed-energy. Engie also announced it will invest €22bn in renewable energies, energy services such as heating and cooling networks, and decentralized energy technology. In 2016, Isabelle Kocher defined

1615-593: A unified national power grid. Up to 20% of Red Eléctrica is controlled by the state-owned holding company Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales (SEPI), with the remainder being free float on the Bolsa de Madrid . The firm was also formerly active in telecommunications, but in 2005 sold its unit Albura (and with it access to a 7,500 km network of optical fibre ) to Deutsche Telekom unit T-Online for €61.5 million. The company owns 5% of Portuguese counterpart Redes Energéticas Nacionais , with which it holds

1700-720: A widely connected grid is thus the possibility of cascading failure and widespread power outage . A central authority is usually designated to facilitate communication and develop protocols to maintain a stable grid. For example, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation gained binding powers in the United States in 2006, and has advisory powers in the applicable parts of Canada and Mexico. The U.S. government has also designated National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors , where it believes transmission bottlenecks have developed. A brownout

1785-524: Is three-phase . Three phase, compared to single phase, can deliver much more power for a given amount of wire, since the neutral and ground wires are shared. Further, three-phase generators and motors are more efficient than their single-phase counterparts. However, for conventional conductors one of the main losses are resistive losses which are a square law on current, and depend on distance. High voltage AC transmission lines can lose 1-4% per hundred miles. However, high-voltage direct current can have half

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1870-600: Is Kuwait's most efficient source of electricity. In January 2017, Engie was awarded the contract and achieved financial closing for the greenfield Fadhili independent power project (IPP) in Saudi Arabia, the most efficient cogeneration plant in the country. In October 2015, Engie announced that it will no longer build coal-fired power plants. Gérard Mestrallet said projects for which Engie had already entered into firm commitments would be honored, but projects, where contracts had not yet been signed, will de facto be suspended. As

1955-511: Is a local grid that is usually part of the regional wide-area synchronous grid but which can disconnect and operate autonomously. It might do this in times when the main grid is affected by outages. This is known as islanding , and it might run indefinitely on its own resources. Compared to larger grids, microgrids typically use a lower voltage distribution network and distributed generators. Microgrids may not only be more resilient, but may be cheaper to implement in isolated areas. A design goal

2040-885: Is a wide-area transmission network that is intended to make possible the trade of high volumes of electricity across great distances. It is sometimes also referred to as a mega grid . Super grids can support a global energy transition by smoothing local fluctuations of wind energy and solar energy . In this context they are considered as a key technology to mitigate global warming . Super grids typically use High-voltage direct current (HVDC) to transmit electricity long distances. The latest generation of HVDC power lines can transmit energy with losses of only 1.6% per 1000 km. Electric utilities between regions are many times interconnected for improved economy and reliability. Electrical interconnectors allow for economies of scale, allowing energy to be purchased from large, efficient sources. Utilities can draw power from generator reserves from

2125-498: Is an intentional or unintentional drop in voltage in an electrical power supply system. Intentional brownouts are used for load reduction in an emergency. The reduction lasts for minutes or hours, as opposed to short-term voltage sag (or dip). The term brownout comes from the dimming experienced by incandescent lighting when the voltage sags. A voltage reduction may be an effect of disruption of an electrical grid, or may occasionally be imposed in an effort to reduce load and prevent

2210-794: Is currently developing a $ 15.8 billion nuclear power plant in Sinop, Turkey in partnership with Itochu and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries . Since 2012, Engie is also an Australian energy retailer, initially operating as Simply Energy and later Engie Australia . In November 2016, Engie signed an agreement with Moroccan energy company Nareva. The two companies are planning to develop energy assets in North and Western Africa that will produce 5,000 and 6,000 megawatts. The plans will take place between 2020 and 2025. In December 2016, Engie announced that Azzour North One Independent Water & Power Project (IWPP) has started full commercial operations. The power and water plant

2295-422: Is dammed hydroelectricity , with both conventional hydroelectric generation as well as pumped storage hydroelectricity . Developments in battery storage have enabled commercially viable projects to store energy during peak production and release during peak demand, and for use when production unexpectedly falls giving time for slower responding resources to be brought online. Two alternatives to grid storage are

2380-417: Is simply rerouted while repairs are done. Because the power is often generated far from where it is consumed, the transmission system can cover great distances. For a given amount of power, transmission efficiency is greater at higher voltages and lower currents. Therefore, voltages are stepped up at the generating station, and stepped down at local substations for distribution to customers. Most transmission

2465-411: Is stored in the immediate short term by the rotational kinetic energy of the generators. Although the speed is kept largely constant, small deviations from the nominal system frequency are very important in regulating individual generators and are used as a way of assessing the equilibrium of the grid as a whole. When the grid is lightly loaded the grid frequency runs above the nominal frequency, and this

2550-408: Is taken as an indication by Automatic Generation Control systems across the network that generators should reduce their output. Conversely, when the grid is heavily loaded, the frequency naturally slows, and governors adjust their generators so that more power is output ( droop speed control ). When generators have identical droop speed control settings it ensures that multiple parallel generators with

2635-605: Is that a local area produces all of the energy it uses. Example implementations include: A wide area synchronous grid , also known as an "interconnection" in North America, directly connects many generators delivering AC power with the same relative frequency to many consumers. For example, there are four major interconnections in North America (the Western Interconnection , the Eastern Interconnection ,

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2720-566: Is the final stage in the delivery of power; it carries electricity from the transmission system to individual consumers. Substations connect to the transmission system and lower the transmission voltage to medium voltage ranging between 2  kV and 35 kV . But the voltage levels varies very much between different countries, in Sweden medium voltage are normally 10  kV between 20 kV . Primary distribution lines carry this medium voltage power to distribution transformers located near

2805-584: Is the maximum power output on a grid that is immediately available over a given time period, and is a far more useful figure. Most grid codes specify that the load is shared between the generators in merit order according to their marginal cost (i.e. cheapest first) and sometimes their environmental impact. Thus cheap electricity providers tend to be run flat out almost all the time, and the more expensive producers are only run when necessary. Failures are usually associated with generators or power transmission lines tripping circuit breakers due to faults leading to

2890-405: Is the process of generating electric power at power stations . This is done ultimately from sources of primary energy typically with electromechanical generators driven by heat engines from fossil , nuclear , and geothermal sources, or driven by the kinetic energy of water or wind. Other power sources are photovoltaics driven by solar insolation, and grid batteries . The sum of

2975-562: Is the second-largest generator of electricity in France behind EDF . The company indicated in December 2011 that 3 ⁄ 4 of the group's production comes from sources that emit no CO 2 principally hydroelectricity (through CNR and SHEM) and wind power , the latter of which both Gaz de France and Suez moved aggressively into in 2007 and 2008. Recently acquired subsidiaries include Compagnie du vent  [ fr ] (majority stake),

3060-593: The Compagnie universelle du canal maritime de Suez founded in 1858 to build the Suez Canal. Suez S.A. was the result of a 1997 merger between the Compagnie de Suez and Lyonnaise des Eaux  [ fr ] . Gaz de France was created in 1946 along with its sister company Électricité de France (EDF) by the French Government . After the liberalisation of Europe's energy markets, Gaz de France also entered into

3145-573: The European Commission fined GDF Suez and E.ON €553 million both over arrangements on the MEGAL pipeline . It was the second biggest fines imposed by the European Commission and the first one on the energy sector. In October 2009, GDF Suez placed 6th in an A.T. Kearney / BusinessWeek ranking of the "World's Best Companies", the highest-placed European firm. On August 10, 2010,

3230-549: The European Energy Exchange (EEX). Each of the interconnects in North America are run at a nominal 60 Hz, while those of Europe run at 50 Hz. Neighbouring interconnections with the same frequency and standards can be synchronized and directly connected to form a larger interconnection, or they may share power without synchronization via high-voltage direct current power transmission lines ( DC ties ), or with variable-frequency transformers (VFTs), which permit

3315-595: The Quebec Interconnection and the Texas Interconnection ). In Europe one large grid connects most of Western Europe . A wide area synchronous grid (also called an "interconnection" in North America) is an electrical grid at a regional scale or greater that operates at a synchronized frequency and is electrically tied together during normal system conditions. These are also known as synchronous zones,

3400-629: The Suez Canal . As of 2022, Engie employed 96,454 people worldwide with revenues of €93.86 billion. Engie is listed on the Euronext exchanges in Paris and Brussels and is a constituent of the CAC 40 index. The company was headed from 2016 to 2020 by Isabelle Kocher , who significantly transformed it, notably by deciding to exit coal activities and by investing in renewable energy and energy transition services. Despite

3485-547: The electricity sector, having developed combined natural gas-electricity offerings. The company's capital was partially floated on the Paris Stock Exchange in July 2005, raising €2.5 billion for the French Government . On 25 February 2006, French Prime minister Dominique de Villepin announced the merger of water supply and treatment , waste management and energy company Suez and power firm Gaz de France , with

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3570-533: The petroleum industry . It is involved in both upstream (engineering, sale, operation, maintenance) and downstream (waste management, dismantling) activities. Engie supplies electricity to 27 countries in Europe and 48 countries worldwide. The company, formed on July 22, 2008, by the merger of Gaz de France and Suez , traces its origins to the Universal Suez Canal Company founded in 1858 to construct

3655-565: The wind farm business of Nass & Wind and Erelia . The company also operates a natural gas-fired combined cycle power plant (DK6) in Dunkirk . With the stated aim of reaching a total production capacity of 10 GW by 2013, three gas-fired thermal power plants at Fos-sur-Mer , Montoir-de-Bretagne and Saint-Brieuc are currently in various stages of development, as is a solar panel project in Curbans . Engie also generates electricity in

3740-525: The French state's 80% stake in GDF into just over 35% of shares of the new company. The water and waste assets which formerly formed part of Suez were spun off into a new publicly traded company, Suez Environment , in which GDF Suez retains a stake. In 1975, Ruhrgas and Gaz de France concluded a deal according to which they agreed not to sell gas in each other's home market. The deal was abandoned in 2005. In July 2009,

3825-580: The German initiated Desertec project would serve as the backbone of the European Supergrid . On April 16, 2012, the purchase of the remaining 30% of International Power was announced by GDF Suez, and the transaction completed in July 2012. GDF Suez was advised by Rothschild and Ondra Partners , while Barclays , Morgan Stanley and Nomura advised International Power. On August 9, 2013, GDF Suez, through its Energy Services business line, announced

3910-525: The Minister of Hydrocarbons and Energy, to negotiate the compensation from which the nationalization of TDE. Since the company had been bought, a large 74+ million dollar investment had been made in the maintenance, and additional projects that this company has broken through. In collaboration with Empresa Nacional de Electricidad (ENDE) , they ensure that advances in the quality of the electrical grid have been made and there are no current problems. They display

3995-483: The World's population, had no access to grid electricity in 2017, down from 1.2 billion in 2010. Electrical grids can be prone to malicious intrusion or attack; thus, there is a need for electric grid security . Also as electric grids modernize and introduce computer technology, cyber threats start to become a security risk. Particular concerns relate to the more complex computer systems needed to manage grids. A microgrid

4080-472: The aim of creating the world's largest liquefied natural gas company. Since the French state owned over 80% of Gaz de France, it was necessary to pass a new law in order to make the merger possible. Whilst Nicolas Sarkozy was for several months opposed to the Villepin government's plans for a merger of the two companies, preferring a three-way deal with Italy's Enel which would maintain a controlling stake for

4165-459: The area, connecting the electricity generators with consumers. Grids can enable more efficient electricity markets . Although electrical grids are widespread, as of 2016 , 1.4 billion people worldwide were not connected to an electricity grid. As electrification increases, the number of people with access to grid electricity is growing. About 840 million people (mostly in Africa), which is ca. 11% of

4250-592: The basis of an exchange of 21 Gaz de France shares for 22 Suez shares via the absorption of Suez by Gaz de France. Various holdings of Gaz de France and Suez had to be divested in order to satisfy the concerns of the European Commissioner for Competition : GDF agreed to sell its approximate 25% stake in Belgian electricity producer SPE for €515 million. The stake was purchased by fellow SPE shareholder Centrica which exercised its right of first refusal , blocking

4335-612: The business and investment climate in Bolivia. We trust the Bolivian authorities will fully uphold their investment agreements with Spain and ensure prompt and adequate compensation for this expropriation." Spanish Finance Minister Luis de Guindos added that "the Spanish government does not like these sorts of decisions as we believe it's fundamental to maintain legal security when investing in countries like Bolivia." REE shares also fell 3.6% in early trading, though they recovered slightly later in

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4420-534: The company announced a merger of its GDF SUEZ Energy International business unit, along with its operations within the United Kingdom and Turkey , with International Power . The acquisition created the world's biggest independent power producer, and the enlarged company retained International Power's listing on the London Stock Exchange and was 70% owned by GDF Suez. In December 2010, GDF SUEZ became

4505-455: The company's commitment to diversification, the majority of its primary activities still revolve around fossil fuels . Prior to the GDF Suez merger plans in 2006, the company existed as two separate French multinational corporations – Suez S.A. and Gaz de France . Suez was (and still remains, through GDF Suez) one of the oldest continuously existing multinational corporations in the world as

4590-449: The company's international footprint. CEO and Chairman Gérard Mestrallet said the new name was a symbol to meet the challenges of the energy transition and accelerate the group's development. The subsidiary International Power became Engie Energy International . In July 2015, Engie acquired 95% of Solairedirect, raising its photovoltaic production from 125 to 486 MW. On March 2, 2017, Engie acquired Keepmoat Regeneration for £330m to form

4675-526: The compensation with France's GDF Suez and the United Kingdom's Rurelec PLC has not yet been accomplished. Rurelec also took the case for compensation to the Permanent Court of Arbitration . Reactions include one from the European Commission, which said that it was "concerned by the Bolivian government's decision. Actions like this one necessarily send a negative signal to international investors over

4760-467: The consumers to adjust the voltage and keep it within specification. In a synchronous grid all the generators must run at the same frequency, and must stay very nearly in phase with each other and the grid. Generation and consumption must be balanced across the entire grid, because energy is consumed as it is produced. For rotating generators, a local governor regulates the driving torque, maintaining almost constant rotation speed as loading changes. Energy

4845-543: The country's gas infrastructure), for €7.7 billion. It is the largest acquisition since International Power in 2010. The operation allows Engie to develop on its strategic axis of energy infrastructure as well as in Brazil, one of the priority countries. In February 2020, the board of directors announces that it will not propose the reappointment of Isabelle Kocher at the next shareholders' meeting, which will bring to an end of her chief executive officer position. In 2021, Engie

4930-429: The course of a whole 24 hour period. An entire synchronous grid runs at the same frequency, neighbouring grids would not be synchronised even if they run at the same nominal frequency. High-voltage direct current lines or variable-frequency transformers can be used to connect two alternating current interconnection networks which are not synchronized with each other. This provides the benefit of interconnection without

5015-456: The customer's premises. Distribution transformers again lower the voltage to the utilization voltage . Customers demanding a much larger amount of power may be connected directly to the primary distribution level or the subtransmission level. Distribution networks are divided into two types, radial or network. In cities and towns of North America, the grid tends to follow the classic radially fed design. A substation receives its power from

5100-508: The event of disturbances. One disadvantage of a wide-area synchronous grid is that problems in one part can have repercussions across the whole grid. For example, in 2018 Kosovo used more power than it generated due to a dispute with Serbia , leading to the phase across the whole synchronous grid of Continental Europe lagging behind what it should have been. The frequency dropped to 49.996 Hz. This caused certain kinds of clocks to become six minutes slow. A super grid or supergrid

5185-478: The final 45%. Redesur operates the electricity system of southern Peru, and controls 100% of Transmisora Eléctrica del Sur (Tesur) and 75% of Transmisora Eléctrica del Sur 2 (Tesur2). REE owned-grid covers 74% of Bolivian electrical use, and the Bolivian government is making attempts to nationalize REE's subordinate company, Transportadora de Electricidad (TDE). Chairman José Folgado arrived in La Paz with Juan José Sosa,

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5270-453: The hands of the state before these privatisations. Foreign investment can come to different areas. All we're expecting is that they comply with the rules of the country." Grid (electricity) Grids are nearly always synchronous, meaning all distribution areas operate with three phase alternating current (AC) frequencies synchronized (so that voltage swings occur at almost the same time). This allows transmission of AC power throughout

5355-742: The key founding member of the 'Medgrid' company – a consortium of twenty plus utilities, grid operators, equipment makers, financing institutions and investors; which will implement the Medgrid project , a French renewable energy initiative within the framework of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). The project, planned in North Africa , aims to promote and develop a Euro-Mediterranean electricity network of 20 GW installed generating capacity, with 5 GW being devoted for exports to Europe. The Medgrid together with

5440-508: The largest of which is the synchronous grid of Continental Europe (ENTSO-E) with 667  gigawatts (GW) of generation, and the widest region served being that of the IPS/UPS system serving countries of the former Soviet Union. Synchronous grids with ample capacity facilitate electricity market trading across wide areas. In the ENTSO-E in 2008, over 350,000 megawatt hours were sold per day on

5525-542: The losses of AC. Over very long distances, these efficiencies can offset the additional cost of the required AC/DC converter stations at each end. Substations may perform many different functions but usually transform voltage from low to high (step up) and from high to low (step down). Between the generator and the final consumer, the voltage may be transformed several times. The three main types of substations, by function, are: Aside from transformers, other major components or functions of substations include: Distribution

5610-694: The need to synchronize an even wider area. For example, compare the wide area synchronous grid map of Europe with the map of HVDC lines. The sum of the maximum power outputs ( nameplate capacity ) of the generators attached to an electrical grid might be considered to be the capacity of the grid. However, in practice, they are never run flat out simultaneously. Typically, some generators are kept running at lower output powers ( spinning reserve ) to deal with failures as well as variation in demand. In addition generators can be off-line for maintenance or other reasons, such as availability of energy inputs (fuel, water, wind, sun etc.) or pollution constraints. Firm capacity

5695-562: The places and communities division, headed up by Keepmoat LTD's former CEO Dave Sheridan. The new division is focused on three key activities; energy, services and regeneration. GDF Suez has been ranked as among the 13th best of 92 oil, gas, and mining companies on indigenous rights and resource extraction in the Arctic. In April 2019, Engie announced the acquisition of 90% of Transportadora Associada de Gás (TAG), Brazil's largest natural gas transmission system owner (2,800 miles of pipeline, 47% of

5780-559: The power outputs of generators on the grid is the production of the grid, typically measured in gigawatts (GW). Electric power transmission is the bulk movement of electrical energy from a generating site, via a web of interconnected lines, to an electrical substation , from which is connected to the distribution system. This networked system of connections is distinct from the local wiring between high-voltage substations and customers. Transmission networks are complex with redundant pathways. Redundancy allows line failures to occur and power

5865-464: The proposed legislation. Under normal procedure, parliament would have been required to vote on the amendments, which would have taken 10 years. The French Constitution does give the government options to bypass such a filibuster , but in the end these were not used. Law No. 2006-1537 of December 7, 2006, on the energy sector authorised the privatisation of Gaz de France. On September 3, 2007, Gaz de France and Suez announced agreed terms of merger, on

5950-488: The purchase of Balfour Beatty 's UK Facilities Management business – Balfour Beatty WorkPlace. The legacy Cofely business incorporated the legacy Balfour Beatty Workplace Business which went on to acquire Lend Lease FM in 2014 from Lendlease giving the new business a substantial platform in the operation of PFI assets in the UK. On April 24, 2015 GDF Suez announced it was changing its name to "Engie", in an effort to further expand

6035-502: The rest is controlled by smaller companies in the eastern lowlands which are not attached to the national grid. President Evo Morales said though REE would be compensated, it had invested US$ 81 million since the grid's privatisation in 1997 and the government had "invested $ 220m in generation and others profited. For that reason, brothers and sisters, we have decided to nationalise electricity transmission. Just to make it clear to national and international public opinion, we are nationalising

6120-471: The result of nearly two centuries of reorganisation and corporate mergers. Its corporate history dates back to the 1822 founded Algemeene Nederlandsche Maatschappij ter begunstiging van de volksvlijt (literally: General Dutch Company for the favouring of industry) by King William I of the Netherlands (see Société Générale de Belgique ). The origin of its name 'Suez' traces back to its other founding entity –

6205-512: The same settings share load in proportion to their rating. In addition, there's often central control, which can change the parameters of the AGC systems over timescales of a minute or longer to further adjust the regional network flows and the operating frequency of the grid. For timekeeping purposes, the nominal frequency will be allowed to vary in the short term, but is adjusted to prevent line-operated clocks from gaining or losing significant time over

6290-434: The state, he subsequently accepted the government proposal. The plan for a merger between Gaz de France and Suez came under fire from the whole of the political left, which feared the loss of one of the last ways of preventing the price rises experienced over the previous three years, and by the social Gaullists and trade unions . In August 2006, the left-wing opposition submitted a record-breaking 137,449 amendments to

6375-533: The strategy of Engie as follows: to promote decarbonized energy (oil and coal replaced by renewables and natural gas that emit less greenhouse gases), decentralized energy (energy produced and stored as close as possible to its place of consumption), and digitized energy (big data and digital tools for energy efficiency and network management). The group created Engie Digital and planned to invest €1.5 billion on digital and new technologies related to energy. Engie also started promoting an open innovation approach with

6460-485: The subsidiary, as long with compensation as well. Efforts are still being made to nationalize this company, along with all other subsidiary companies affiliated with REE. On 1 May 2012, the Bolivian government announced its plans to nationalise REE's subsidiary in the country, Transportadora de Electricidad (TDE). The electric grid covers 74% of Bolivia's total grid, or 2,772 kilometres (1,722 mi) of transmission lines;

6545-404: The substation, but for reliability reasons, usually contains at least one unused backup connection to a nearby substation. This connection can be enabled in case of an emergency, so that a portion of a substation's service territory can be alternatively fed by another substation. Grid energy storage (also called large-scale energy storage ) is a collection of methods used for energy storage on

6630-447: The trading session. Though parallels were made in the media with Argentina's nationalisation of YPF from Spain's Repsol , sources in the Bolivian government were reported to have told Repsol chairman Antonio Brufau that their investment on a new gas plant of about 100 million euros was safe. An anonymous Spanish diplomat said that the reaction was much more muted than with Argentina as "the diplomatic channels are open here, and it's all

6715-433: The transmission network, the power is stepped down with a transformer and sent to a bus from which feeders fan out in all directions across the countryside. These feeders carry three-phase power, and tend to follow the major streets near the substation. As the distance from the substation grows, the fanout continues as smaller laterals spread out to cover areas missed by the feeders. This tree-like structure grows outward from

6800-414: The use of peaking power plants to fill in supply gaps and demand response to shift load to other times. The demand, or load on an electrical grid is the total electrical power being removed by the users of the grid. The graph of the demand over time is called the demand curve . Baseload is the minimum load on the grid over any given period, peak demand is the maximum load. Historically, baseload

6885-536: The world leader in the zero-carbon transition. The strategic shift includes accelerating its investments in renewable energies. Isabelle Kocher announces the definitive exit of coal activities. Engie plans to invest another €12 billion in renewable activities, partly financed by the sale of €6 billion assets (including the last coal plants). The 12 billion break down as follows: 3 to 3.3 billion into gas infrastructure; 4 to 5 billion into client services and solutions ; and 2.3 to 2.8 billion into renewable energies, adding

6970-482: The year. Neighboring utilities also help others to maintain the overall system frequency and also help manage tie transfers between utility regions. Electricity Interconnection Level (EIL) of a grid is the ratio of the total interconnector power to the grid divided by the installed production capacity of the grid. Within the EU, it has set a target of national grids reaching 10% by 2020, and 15% by 2030. Electricity generation

7055-404: Was commonly met by equipment that was relatively cheap to run, that ran continuously for weeks or months at a time, but globally this is becoming less common. The extra peak demand requirements are sometimes produced by expensive peaking plants that are generators optimised to come on-line quickly but these too are becoming less common. However, if the demand of electricity exceed the capacity of

7140-450: Was less damaging than YPF's re-nationalisation as the investment was less and that the moves in both countries "have medium-term implications in terms of these countries' economic development and for the security of investments, which are vital." For its part, Bolivian Vice President Álvaro García Linera said, on a visit to the U.K., that "we're just fulfilling the promise we made when we were elected, to recover all these areas that were in

7225-820: Was ranked fiftieth in the Arctic Environmental Responsibility Index (AERI) that covers 120 oil, gas, and mining companies involved in resource extraction north of the Arctic Circle. In July 2021, the company re-organised its structure to create four businesses: Renewables, Energy Solutions, Networks and Thermal & Supply, together with a new entity, Equans , which would bring together its technical services (including electrical, heating, ventilation & air conditioning, cooling, mechanical & electrical, digital & IT and facilities management) under one entity. In November 2021, Engie sold its technical services business, Equans , to Bouygues in

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