How the Lights Stay On

Wind power and solar power are the fastest growing sources of electricity in America and worldwide. We need reliable power at all times, so what happens when the wind doesn't blow and the sun doesn't shine?

This video introduces you to the people who run the electricity grid, the network of power plants and power lines that keep the lights on. It takes you inside the control center for the largest power system in the world and lets utility experts explain how the variability of wind and solar generation can be managed using existing tools and techniques.

• Category

  Science & Technology

[clintjcampbell1]

I love the the wind map. hint.fm/wind/ is the wind map they show. It is kind of meditative.

[Jay Campbell]

Great video, most people in deregulated markets do not understand the utilities role vs. the supplier. If you are looking for a greener energy supplier take a look at cleanVenergy

[Ivy Main]

Excellent video. Virginia's North Anna nuclear plant was down for months after an earthquake, and consumers never noticed. And unlike weather changes that affect wind and solar, we had no warning of the earthquake.