Map details world's electric grid infrastructure
A new, detailed map visualizes over 120,000 power plants and nearly 3 million miles of transmission lines globally. The map was developed by energy consultant Brian Bartholomew.
Energy consultant Brian Bartholomew has released a detailed map illustrating the global electric grid's infrastructure. The map displays over 120,000 power plants, encompassing renewable energy facilities, battery storage, and fossil fuel plants, alongside nearly 3 million miles of transmission lines and hundreds of thousands of substations.
The project, named OpenGridWorks, aims to provide publicly accessible data and modeling tools for electric grid analysis. Bartholomew, an energy consultant, developed the map as a personal project. Additional data layers on the map include gas pipelines, flood risk zones, and electricity-intensive data centers.
The visual tool allows for the observation of broader patterns within the grid. Bartholomew notes it can show, for instance, how wind farms are situated in windy regions of the U.S., or how solar installations initially appeared in areas with subsidies before economic factors drove further expansion.
Bartholomew utilizes the map in his professional work to assist utilities and grid operators with equipment optimization and project planning. Since its release, utilities and developers have expressed interest in using the tool. The map aggregates information from various sources, including OpenStreetMap and the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and was developed using AI coding assistance during his spare time.