Chris Gibson
What Are the Main Types of Power Infrastructure?
Power infrastructure encompasses the systems and facilities that generate, transmit, and distribute electricity. The need for power is growing fast: data centers alone are projected to demand 35 GW of electricity by 2030, an increase from 17 GW in 2022, growing roughly 10% per year. The primary types include:
- Generation facilities: Power plants using fossil fuels, nuclear energy, hydroelectric dams, wind farms, and solar arrays
- Transmission systems: High-voltage lines and substations that move electricity over long distances
- Distribution networks: Lower-voltage lines and transformers that deliver power to homes and businesses
- Storage systems: Batteries and pumped hydro storage that balance supply and demand
- Control centers: Digital and physical systems that monitor and manage grid operations
Each component plays a vital role in ensuring reliable, efficient, and scalable energy delivery.
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