Learn about the power distribution system. How is it different from the gird and what are the types?

Being an eMobility leader in various projects across multiple startups, Piotr was responsible for OCPI and OCPP integration as well as EMP and CPO platforms development. With extensive expertise in the open standards field and eMobility tech solutions, he is leading teams of experienced developers and contributing with invaluable knowledge and experience.

Piotr Majcher

how the grid’s capacity is being optimized by new technologies

, we’re now staying in the broad topic of energy systems. Now, it’s time to take a closer look at it from a slightly different angle and focus on a specific part of the whole grid undertaking.

In order to understand it, it’d be useful to take a step back and look at the energy system as a whole. The global energy system is a vast and complex network that supplies energy to homes and businesses across the entire planet. It includes everything from power plants and transmission lines to distribution systems and end-use customers. Thus, four main branches may be distinguished:

The distribution may be deemed as the final stage in electric power’s delivery. It is responsible for carrying the electricity to the end-customers i.e. households. For some this description may get confusing with the grid itself, but it’s not quite interchangeable. To answer the question how is that different from the grid, we must look at the power distribution network as a portion of the whole grid.

The power grid is the entire electrical system that transmits electricity from the generating plants to consumers. This includes high-voltage transmission lines and substations, as well as lower voltage distribution lines and transformers. Power distribution network is a part of the grid owned or operated by a utility that is dedicated to delivering electric energy to customers and it refers specifically to the distribution system that carries electricity to individual customers. The grid also makes use of a top-down approach, with bulk electricity flowing from the power plant to consumers via transmission lines. The power distribution network, on the other hand, takes a more distributed approach, where smaller amounts of electricity are distributed from multiple sources within a local region

The power distribution network is made up of a complex network of circuits, cables, transformers, poles, junction boxes and other equipment that carries electricity from substations to homes and businesses.

Electrical power is distributed to individuals, commercial business and industrial complexes through an intricate network of substations, transmission lines and transformers. The process starts with electricity being transferred from the high voltage level of a major grid or station to local distribution substations where it undergoes transformation into medium levels ranging between 2-35 kV via specialized equipment called transformers. From there primary distribution takes effect sending energy along designated routes until sectionalizing points are reached, reducing it further by transformer units for use in homes and businesses. The voltage fit for the domestic appliances is known as utilization voltages.

Customers can sometimes be supplied with electricity through a secondary distribution system, to which they are connected through service drops. For those who have larger demands for power - usually businesses or industrial operations - a direct connection can be made at higher voltage subtransmissions.

… or at least some of the most crucial appliances enabling the whole undertaking:

 - essential device that safeguards all electrical circuits from being overloaded or facing a potential fire hazard. They serve as important safety measures by automatically cutting the power flow in moments of increased current, protecting your equipment and wiring with every turn-off.

 - crucial points on the distribution map that transform voltage from high to low (or vice versa) and enable the transfer of energy between transmission systems and the distribution networks which then can bring it into homes.

- (the nomenclature may change depending on the region) overhead electrical line that delivers power from the pole to any building or residence. This is the final stretch before electricity ‘enters’ the building.

- they bridge the gap between large energy networks and individual households. Acting as integral nodes in the electric power grid, these devices are vital for providing electricity to homes and businesses by taking high voltage input from distribution lines and transforming it into a lower output that is safe for everyday use.

 - a backbone for electricity distribution, linking power from sub-stations to end user locations

The distribution network can be classified under a few categories. The most common way to classify a network is by its design. Sometimes it’s also called “the method of connection”.

There are three main types of network designs that we can differentiate:

With radial, a single feeder distributes electricity through one-way circuits directly onto distributers located across each designated area. The radial Distribution System is the most cost-effective option for supplying power in remotely located areas and fairly easy to implement. This type of system uses a single source to serve multiple customers, however one disrupted line can cause an entire outage until repairs are completed, which makes it prone to malfunctions.


Looped power networks usually come with a back-up source of energy. When power from one direction fails, switches automatically or manually divert energy to keep electricity flowing in the other direction. The loop guarantees higher standards of reliability than the radial type. In the case of line faults, utilities can quickly locate them and switch around to restore service - enabling fast repair with minimal customer disruption.


Network systems offer a unique solution for customers needing reliable power in heavily populated and congested areas. This system consists of interlocking loop networks, providing multiple sources to deliver energy efficiently - though it comes with the highest price tag among all alternative options.

Other than design, power distribution networks can also be classified by the supply type or by the construction.


There are two types of supply than we can differentiate:

In terms of the construction there are underground and overhead systems. The underground system is a much safer option than overhead cables. It does come with drawbacks though - primarily its hefty initial cost. The overhead system is the most popular one, and despite being slightly less safe, it does come with higher levels of flexibility.

Learn about the power distribution network - how is it different from the gird and what are the types?

Smart grids

Learn about the microgrids and extend the knowledge about the energy system!

, we’re now starting the new year following up and elaborating on the topic of energy networks. It’s time to narrow it down to slightly smaller units.

A microgrid is a small-scale energy system that remains self-sufficient even when it’s completely off-grid. At the heart of such a system there is a local source of power production such as solar, wind or diesel generators which distribute the energy across its receivers in a controlled manner. In newer microgrid systems it’s getting more popular to install some sort of energy storage facilities in order to ensure even greater efficiency.

The U.S. Department of Energy defines the microgrid as follows:

“A microgrid is a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources (DER) within clearly defined electrical boundaries that act as a single controllable entity with respect to the grid. A microgrid can connect and disconnect from the grid to enable it to operate in both connected or island-mode.”


In terms of the size required for an energy system to be labeled as a microgrid, there really aren’t any strict patterns. The classification is based more on the actual form and ways of operation rather than size. Thus, a microgrid can be anything from a college campus that runs on solar panels to an island with its own source of energy. With such an approach it also should be clear that while the primary principles remain the same, the microgrids may significantly differ from one another.

While there are a couple of types of microgrids, they all share some alike features.

A microgrid is a local undertaking, meaning that there are defined electrical boundaries and a clear set of energy recipients within the system. Importantly, all the end-users are located in the close proximity of the energy source, making the transmission very efficient. Unlike with the “general grid” (in microgrid contexts, the grid is also known as a 

), where the long-distance transmission itself can consume up to 15% of the carried electricity, in the microgrid setting, all energy produced is utilized to its full potential. Cleanliness would be the second usually shared trait amongst microgrids - they oftentimes run solely on green sources of energy such as wind or solar. Specially popular solar panels have gained popularity in the last few years especially due to becoming affordable and easily accessible. Finally, being independent from the constraints of the macrogrid, microgrids are less prone to malfunctions, overburdening or blackouts.

There are two main types of microgrids hidden under many names. We differentiate mostly: grid-connected and off-grid microgrids.

 microgrids are the ones that cannot be connected to the main electrical grid, meaning they all have an individual source of energy. They can be found particularly in remote areas that are too far and costly to operate from centralized energy sources. Amongst those, we can differentiate locations such as small islands or far-flung but habitable regions in Siberia. Off-grid microgrids can leverage various forms of distributed generation, such as renewable energy sources like solar or wind power, along with an efficient integrated storage system.

The off-grid microgrids used to rely mostly on diesel generators, of which shipping to remote areas was a fairly costly investment. Because of that, the transition to renewable energy is gaining momentum across many operators. On top of the green sources, many also found some energy storage facilities beyond useful and installed them, making the micro energy systems highly smart and self-sufficient. This switch to more modern ways, has led the off-grid microgrids to being one of the most efficient energy systems out there.

These are the microgrids that have the ability to connect/disconnect from the main grid. They operate both connected and autonomously when needed, allowing for emergency power supply or operation changes as conditions dictate. The dualistic possibilities in the operation ways ensure reliable electricity to locations even during macrogrid outages - all while keeping grid-connectivity possible. The disconnection is oftentimes called an island mode and the grid-connected microgrids are sometimes referred to as 


The most common question asked when talking about the islandable microgrids is: what’s the point of it when it can be connected to the main system?

. While macrogrid tends to get overburdened quite frequently, the microgrid users remain indifferent to whatever outages the main grid may have. This solution is especially useful in cases of hospital complexes, where there are few entities that require a constant flow of energy. Similar cases would be with the airports or college campuses.

The benefits also come the other way, as in cases when the macrogrid is reaching its peak capacity, the operators can advise the microgrid controllers that they should switch to an island mode in order to minimize the risk of a big-scale outage.

While these aren’t necessarily the types of microgrids, they can be classified as the topologies. Given that energy management architectures are paramount for a successful microgrid, it’s also worth noting them. They provide the structure to capture energy from different sources and incorporate it into the electrical grids efficiently.

Power sources with AC output are connected to AC bus through AC/AC converter, whilst DC output uses DC/AC converters. While they’re generally more versatile than DC microgrids, the conversion efficiency is lower.

Power sources with DC output are connected to DC bus directly or by DC/DC converters, whilst power sources with AC output are connected to the DC bus through AC/DC converter. With DC microgrids the conversion efficiency is higher which makes them a perfect fit for high-performance electrical demand. Unfortunately, they generally cost more to implement.

The hybrid microgrid allows energy to flow seamlessly between AC and DC power sources, via a bidirectional converter connecting both buses.


While the share of microgrids in the global energy market isn’t yet quite substantial, there’s no question that they make a great way of improving the global energy system’s reliability and efficiency. Amongst the benefits

 – microgrids can keep the lights on even if the power goes out, an especially important feature during extreme weather events.

 – microgrids are a great way to reduce carbon emissions, as they often employ renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, which have little to no environmental impact.

– microgrids can significantly reduce the cost of producing and distributing electricity, as they operate on a smaller scale and the energy is produced locally.

 – microgrids are more resilient to natural disasters or power outages than centralized systems, as their distributed nature offers greater protection from disruption.

 – microgrids can be modified easily to meet changing energy demands, allowing communities to respond quickly and efficiently to changing needs.

After publication about smart grids, we extend the knowledge on the topic. This time, learn about the microgrids!

Microgrids - where are they in the global energy system?

Download our PFD about smart grids and see how the energy industry changes!

Experienced content writer with over 4 years of experience in the energy sector and many industry-related publications released.

Gabriela Stawiarska

Energy-related issues have made the news in the last couple of years probably more than ever before. From the massive shift in energy usage triggered by the onset of Covid to the recent blackouts all over the world, the electricity sector has known no peace recently.

It’s to no surprise, given how inordinate the scale of the entire energy industry is. Being at the core of the whole undertaking, the grid operators have a lot on their plates in terms of keeping everything stable and secure. Energy grids are the virtual spiderwebs that facilitate large-scale electricity delivery from production sites to nearly every home and business across the world. Unequaled in complexity, these incredible networks require intricate planning for cross-border or multi-state operations, delivering power generated by sources like coal plants, natural gas facilities and nuclear plants into electrical energy the humankind uses daily.

In response to the increased demand in electricity worldwide, numerous actions have been taken to ensure its smooth operation. This is how the concept of smart grids came to life.

While grid as such may be understood by many, the prefix “smart” may cause some confusion. In a nutshell, a smart grid is an electricity network based on digital technology, allowing for an interactive flow of energy and data. Generally, what makes the grid smart are the extensive digital features running in the background and optimizing the whole system. A smart grid has the ability to collect, monitor, analyze and manage data from a range of sources to optimize power distribution networks.

In our downloadable PDF, we shed light on all the important aspects of smart grids:

What are the characteristics of a smart grid?

Smart grids - what are they and how do they change the energy game?

Download our paper on Demand Response and learn all about it!

Lately, there has been quite a lot of debate about the capacity of the grid all over the world. With tensions rising, many people are voicing their concerns in terms of the potential grid overburdening. However, while speaking about it, one must remember how complex the whole ecosystem is.

The global energy system is a vast and complex network that supplies energy to homes and businesses across the entire planet. It includes everything from power plants and transmission lines to distribution systems and end-use customers. At the heart of this system is energy management. This is the process of planning, controlling, and optimizing the use of energy resources to meet specific objectives. It involves countless operations making sure that the entirety runs smoothly.

Demand response is one of the technologies involved in grid’s proper operation. 

Per definition, demand response is a change in electricity consumption by consumers to help keep the supply and demand of electricity in balance. This can be done by either reducing or increasing their electricity usage depending on the needs of the grid.

Through demand response, utilities can reduce the need for investment in new generation capacity, as well as improve grid stability and resilience. For consumers, demand response programs can offer financial incentives and other benefits.

The whole technology, however slightly complicated at first glance, brings a whole plethora of benefits for both - energy consumers and the grid itself.

In our downloadable PDF, we shed light on all the important aspects of demand response:

What are the main branches of the energy system?

What’s the role of the grid in the ecosystem?

Examples of demand response in practise (including eMobility solutions)

How does demand response impact the energy system?

Power Distribution Network - what is it and what are the types?

20 JANUARY 2023 • 7 MIN READ