a network, usually of a power company, for transmitting and distributing electrical power. The modern grid is complex enough to be thought of as an Ultra-Large-Scale system, a network of structures consisting of electric infrastructure, control structure, regulatory structure, industry structure, digital superstructure, convergent networks, and coordination frameworks. Such a system is subject to hidden and overt interactions and cross-couplings, complex constraints, dependencies, and convergences.
synonyms: power grid; electricity grid; electrical grid; power system; electricity system; transmission and distribution system; utility infrastructure; utility grid; electricity network
note: Grids are major copper users, but also areas where substitution pressures are among the highest experienced in copper markets. With the trend towards electrification resulting in both network and demand growth, and with high substitution pressures, there is a lot of uncertainty in future copper demand in grids.