Inside grid operators

The control room at the ISO New England is where power in the region is dispatched and the grid monitored for reliability. At this location, there are desks set up specifically for monitoring transmission, managing the flow of energy, and forecasting demand. This slideshow will show how bulk energy is managed on the wholesale grid.

To get a better feel for how the grid works, last week CNET's Martin LaMonica visited ISO New England in Holyoke, Mass., one of several grid operators, called independent system operators (ISOs) or regional transmission organizations (RTOs), that work behind the scenes to ensure delivery of electricity across the country.