3. Large interconnected systems

3.1 The role of the mass transit network

The basic function of the main transmission network is to connect power generation plants with electricity consumption centers. But beyond this obvious fact, to understand the structure and operating constraints of this network, it is important to grasp the main guidelines of its development and organization, which we will briefly review.

• The high-voltage transmission network was born out of the need to locate energy resources (often hydroelectricity) far from consumer areas. To bridge the corresponding distance, very high-voltage alternating current (VHV) transmission technology quickly became the norm. In Europe (with the exception of the former USSR), 400 kV at 50 Hz networks were adopted after...