Ep 2. Rio de Janeiro Power Grid

In Build It Bigger season 4 episode 2, viewers are taken to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to explore the city's power grid. Host Danny Forster visits the mountains outside of Rio to see a hydroelectric power plant that generates much of the city's electricity. He explains how the plant uses the natural force of the water to power turbines and generate energy.

From there, Danny travels to the heart of the city to visit a substation that distributes the electricity generated at the power plant to homes and businesses throughout Rio. He learns about the complex system of transformers, switches, and breakers that make it possible to deliver power where it's needed.

Next, Danny meets with engineers who are working to upgrade and expand Rio's power grid to meet the growing demands of the city. He visits a construction site where workers are installing new transmission lines and building new substations. Danny explains the challenges that come with upgrading an existing power grid in a densely populated urban environment, including the need to minimize disruptions to residents and businesses.

Throughout the episode, viewers also learn about the unique challenges that come with providing reliable power in a city that is vulnerable to natural disasters. Danny visits a control center that monitors the grid and responds to outages caused by storms and other events. He explains how the grid can be affected by heavy rainfall and landslides, and how engineers are working to make the system more resilient in the face of these challenges.

Overall, Rio de Janeiro Power Grid offers a fascinating look at the infrastructure that powers one of the world's most vibrant cities. Viewers will gain an appreciation for the ingenuity and hard work that goes into maintaining a reliable power supply, and learn about the complexities and challenges of working with such a critical piece of infrastructure.