Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services
Live Better.
 



Pierce Pepin Appliance
 

Pierce Pepin Propane Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

   


Electric Service: Power Outage Information

     

How Electric Power Flows
There are three stages of electric power supply:

  • generation

  • transmission
  • distribution

Generation

Power generation plants produce electric energy from various forms of energy, such as fossil fuel, nuclear, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar thermal and wind. PPCS does not generate any electricity. Rather, PPCS is a member of Dairyland Power Cooperative (DPC), a Generation & Transmission (G&T) cooperative based in La Crosse, Wis., from whom we purchase our power. DPC’s generation power plants produce energy primarily from coal. In addition to coal-based generation, DPC also generates or purchases electricity from sources using hydropower, natural gas and renewable resources such as wind, landfill gas and animal waste-to-energy.  Visit DPC to learn more about your generation sources.
 

Transmission

Transmission lines are the link between generation and PPCS. They carry electric energy from one point to another in an electric power system. They can carry alternating current or direct current or a system can be a combination of both. Also, electric current can be carried by either overhead or underground lines. The main characteristics that distinguish transmission lines from distribution lines are that they are operated at relatively high voltages, they transmit large quantities of power and they transmit the power over large distances. At PPCS, we are served by transmission lines owned by DPC. To improve reliability and gain cost efficiencies, however, DPC is also a customer under Xcel Energy's network transmission tariff. This means that Dairyland has pooled its transmission facilities with Xcel Energy and others (including Great River Energy and Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency) into a larger transmission unit. Visit DPC to learn more about your transmission sources.
 

Top of page

Distribution

A distribution system originates at a distribution substation and includes the lines, poles, transformers and other equipment needed to deliver electric power to the customers at the required voltages. PPCS is a power supply cooperative and has ten (10) substations within its service area that are owned by DPC. Substations provide a means for electricity to be lowered to acceptable levels so that local distribution lines can be used to deliver electricity to your home or business. Distribution lines can be both overhead and underground. Once close to your location, a transformer is used to again lower the voltage of electricity so it can be carried along a secondary power line to your meter. It is at this point that PPCS’ job of delivering reliable, cost effective energy is complete.

 

Example of Electric Transmission

Top of page

 

Power Plant: Power plants, or generation facilities, are the first link in the chain of providing electricity to consumers. Most electricity in the U.S. is generated using coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear energy or hydropower. Some production is done with alternative fuels like geothermal energy, wind power, biomass, animal waste, solar energy or fuel cells. Power plants do not store electricity, so it is constantly being made and then distributed through the transmission system.

Transmission Substation: Before it can be distributed, the electricity flows from the generators to a transmission substation where a transformer changes a large current and low voltage into a small current and high voltage for transmission over a long distance. The transmission substation is owned by the electricity generator.

Transmission Power Lines: This system of wires transmits high voltages of electricity from generation plants to distribution substations.

Power Substation/Transformer: When electricity gets closer to where it will be used, it voltage must be decreased. A substation has transformers that “step down” the high-voltage electricity into lower voltage electricity. Here transmission voltage is reduced (69,000 to 500,000 volts) to distribution voltage (typically 12,000 volts).

Distribution Power Lines/Distribution Transformer: The system of distribution lines is the local electrical network (your electric cooperative) which brings electricity from substations to your door. From the substation, the distribution power lines carry the electricity to other transformers on utility poles or on the ground that reduce the voltage so it can be used in homes, offices, stores and factories.

Service Drop: A separate line carries the electricity from the distribution wires to the house through a meter box. The meter measures how much electricity the people in the house use. From the meter box wires run through the walls to outlets and lights. The electricity is always waiting in the wires to be used.

 

Top of page
 

 

HOME  |  ABOUT PPCS  |  APPLIANCES  |  ELECTRIC SERVICES   |  PROPANE  |  ARCHIVES  |  CONTACT US
Copyright © Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services

 

Last Updated:  01/28/2010.