Transmission and distribution for a secure, reliable supply

Transmission and distribution grids bring electricity to consumers, at the same time as balancing supply with demand. Achieving this balance guarantees that customers receive supplies of competitively priced electricity securely and reliably. Transmission and distribution activities are managed by the transmission system operator (RTE) for high-voltage and very high-voltage, and the distribution system operator (Enedis) for medium-voltage and low-voltage. Their missions are to ensure an equitable and non-discriminatory access to the networks. RTE and Enedis are companies managed in a total independent manner.

Balancing the electricity supply system

The role of RTE is to manage flows and ensure that supply balances demand.
  • As the Group's transmission grid operator, RTE guides electricity flows by managing 105,897 km of high-voltage and very high-voltage circuits to optimise the supply of power.
  • RTE carries electricity from generating plants to major industrial facilities and the distribution grids that supply consumers 
  • RTE also acts as the interconnector with the power grids of neighbouring countries through 50 cross-border power lines, contributing to overall security of supply and efficient operation of the European power supply system

Transmission engineering services and the operation of non-RTE electricity systems are coordinated by the Transmission System Engineering Centre (CIST). In mainland France, CIST manages grid connections and their associated facilities. There expertise is also recognized internationally, and they are currently present in 33 countries, engineering EDF transmission networks and assisting clients with their optimisation problems and developing their electricity grids.

The network and electrical system work well only because of this vital equilibrium
105,897
kilometres of high-voltage and very high-voltage networks
50
cross-border power lines
1.3M
kilometres of low and medium voltage networks

Delivering assured distribution continuity and quality for all customers

Enedis manages the distribution grid that delivers the electricity sold by all energy providers to 35 million residential, company and local authority customers.
  • Enedis is the concession holder of a grid owned by local authorities. As such, it operates and maintains 644,901 km of medium-voltage power lines and 721,000 km of low-voltage power lines
  • In delivering its public service mission, Enedis must not only provide guaranteed continuity and quality for 1.3 million kilometres of power lines, but also ensure non-discriminatory access to electricity

EDF also operates internationally through Edison, a subsidiary company in Italy, that operates a number of natural gas transmission projects.

Adapting grids to the needs of the energy transition

In responding to today's game-changing upheavals in energy generation and consumption methods, RTE and Enedis are now preparing for the future of electricity transmission and distribution by adopting smart grids.

In 2020, France will have a million of wind and photovoltaic energy producers
  • The dramatic increase in the number of renewable energy generators and the emergence of generator customers are together changing the electricity supply landscape dramatically: by 2020, France will have more than a million generators of solar photovoltaic and wind power. The second challenge is the equally dramatic increase in the number of uses for electricity, with France expected to have 2 million electric vehicles on the road by 2020.
  • Accommodating new parameters like these requires smart grids to improve the measurement, monitoring and optimisation of electricity transmission and distribution. These grids will have the ability to match supply very precisely to demand.  Working alongside its partners, EDF contributes to the development of smart grids at local level.
  • At the customer end of the supply system, smart meters will interface with smart grids to manage individual consumption more simply, more accurately and more efficiently. In November 2017, Enedis has installed seven millions of its smart meters. By 2021, every home will have one, helping 36 million users.
By anticipating evolutionary changes in electricity supply systems, RTE and Enedis are already adapting their grids to the new demands imposed by the energy transition.

OPTIMIZE NETWORKS WORLDWIDE

Our expertise is also recognized internationally .

Indeed, EDF International Networks, a 100% subsidiary of eDF group, is in charge of developing projects of engineering, consulting and management services in the field of networks. Its expertise, enhanced by 70 years of practice and innovation, covers all the know-how and experience of a grid company and network operator at every level of the value chain, from the fundamentals such as technical assistance to the latest advanced smart metering solutions. Also, its expertise help its customers respond to the energy transition challenges.

Currently working in 33 different countries, CIST, EDF’s power transmission network engineering team, matters and helps its customers deal with optimization and development in the High Voltage field.

(1) In France, RTE transports electricity from power plants to major industrial sites and to distribution networks, which then dispatches it to consumers.
(2) In France, Enedis, independent subsidiary, distributes electricity, which means it dispatches it to the final customers.