5. Conclusion

Electrical systems are huge assemblies whose operation is highly complex, due in particular to :

• their geographical reach (all of Western Europe, Central Europe and the Maghreb today, for example, with extensions into Eastern Europe and the Middle East);

• the numerous interactions between components over a wide range of time constants (from microseconds to hours);

• development and operation by different players, both within the same country (due to the separation of roles between transmission system operators, distribution system operators and competing producers) and between interconnected countries.

To the man in the street, the workings of the electrical system seem quite natural; in fact, they're based on complex balances and regulations...