INFO:

The U.S. electric grid is often described as a vast, synchronized machine. But, in reality, there is no single U.S. grid. There are three grids — one in the West, one in the East and one in Texas — and they connect only at a few points and share little power between them. These grids are further divided into a patchwork of operators with competing interests, making it difficult to build the long-distance power lines needed to transport wind and solar nationwide. America’s fragmented electric grid, which was largely built to accommodate coal and gas plants, is becoming a major obstacle to efforts to fight climate change.