Power generation and distribution

In Europe, Asia and Africa, three-phase alternating current with a frequency of 50 Hz is used for power generation whereas in North-America and Middle-America the frequency of 60 Hz is applied.
Power is seldom generated at the place of consumption, therefore a widely branched transmission and distribution network (see figure) of transmission power lines, high voltage direct current (HVDC) power lines, underground cables and converter stations are involved in supplying sufficient power to all users at any time.