Generating energy is a complex process. However, once energy is generated at a power plant, it must be delivered to hundreds of thousands of customers through a sophisticated distribution system.

At a power plant, electricity is generated at 20,000 volts. After it leaves the plant, generating station or wind farm, it first travels through a transformer that "steps up" or increases the voltage to either 138,000 volts (138 KV) or 345,000 volts (345 KV). The increased voltage is necessary to allow it to travel more efficiently over long distances through large transmission lines carried by tall transmission towers.

Transmission lines carry this ramped up electricity to distribution substations located in multiple locations across the city. Banks of transformers at these substations "step down" or decrease the electricity's voltage to 34,500 volts (34.5 KV) or 13,800 volts (13.8 KV) so it can travel through smaller distribution lines. These lines branch out through neighborhoods, sending the electricity through overhead or underground power lines. The power lines connect to transformers located on poles or underground near a home or business. Transformers reduce the voltage of electricity again so it can be safely delivered into homes and businesses.

From transformers, electricity travels into buildings through wires called service drops. The service drops connect to a meter box, which measures the amount of electricity being used by a customer. The drops also connect to all of the wires that run inside a home or building’s walls to outlets and switches.

When an electrical device is plugged in, electricity flows from electrical wires in the wall through a plug's metal prongs, which then carries power through the appliance cord to the motor of the appliance. After powering the device, it then flows back through the appliance cord to the outlet, out to the wires and into the grid again.