With the anticipated growth in energy demand, the creation of a “smart grid” can improve distribution, incorporate more renewable projects, and handle the expected increase from EVs, data centers, and AI. Rather than pressuring utilities into a costly, time-intensive, and hardware-based improvement for every line in the country, new technologies that provide similar benefits can reduce cost and prevent delays. These technologies encompass both hardware and software innovations, with applications that range from enhanced efficiency to mitigating the effects of disasters. By adopting new technologies now, utilities can build a transmission grid well-positioned for an efficient and resilient renewable-based economy.
Updating the power grid in the United States is a necessity, but has thus far proven to be an expensive and slow process. This is partly due to the current state of the infrastructure. Kaitlyn Albertoli, Co-founder and CEO of Buzz Solutions, explained that utilities cannot simply “build their way out” of their current situation. Albertoli outlined how providing utilities with accurate information regarding asset location is critical to improving resiliency and efficiency, enabling improvements to be made where they are most needed. Similarly, using AI technologies to analyze thousands of images and structures can play a role in preventing grid strain and allow for more efficient and targeted upgrades.
Rather than shouldering the cost of updating an entire grid infrastructure, utilities may turn to new technologies, which allow for better flows of both electricity and information at a fraction of the cost. One of these new technologies, developed by the Chicago-based company Switched Source, enables power grids to allocate power more effectively in the event of a disruption. Utilities can use these automation tools to locate outages, develop load management, and improve distribution. During a tour of the Switched Source Facility, Switched Source Co-Founder and President Charles Murray outlined how utilities already stretched to the limit can utilize new technologies to increase capacity by 10-15% in a matter of hours, for a fraction of the cost of upgrading an entire network.
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Grid improvement technologies will also prove crucial in the addition of new distributed generation renewable energy projects. An article by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) found that constant communication between renewable projects and a smart grid would allow for less downtime and optimize energy usage. Additionally, smart grids can incorporate renewable energy projects while limiting the need for expensive and slow-moving infrastructure build-out.
To best understand where changes need to be made to the grid, vast amounts of data must be gathered continuously. Colin Gibbs, Vice President at Sense, outlined how new software platforms can provide a constant stream of information back to the user. These platform, which allows for 15,000 reads per second, can reduce strain on the power grid while generating savings for owners. For instance, homes with electric vehicles would be able to optimize charging times. Using raw electrical signals can facilitate an understanding of exactly where energy is being used and how to utilize it more efficiently. Additionally, the methods of communication used at Sense are bi-directional, meaning the utility can monitor real-time data to see faults in a distribution network, reducing downtime.
In certain situations, forgoing interconnection and relying instead on microgrids may be the best solution. This is particularly true for large power users, such as data centers. Kevin Pratt, Chief Operating Officer at Pacifico Energy, explained how microgrids are a strong alternative in situations where a single off-taker could require the same amount of power as a whole line of small off-takers. As Pratt outlined, requiring the utility to build new distribution lines to power something as large as a data center is not only expensive and slow-moving but could negatively affect power access to other people on the grid. This would undoubtedly be a case where utilities should not attempt to “build their way out”.
While all of these technologies, along with many others currently in testing and production, will contribute to improvements across the transmission grid, they will not replace the need for certain infrastructure upgrades. As a report from Grid Strategies outlines, electricity demand is expected to grow 15.8% by 2029. Undoubtedly, utility companies will need to construct new transmission lines and upgrade their infrastructure to varying degrees. However, new technologies can improve this process, increase grid efficiency, and facilitate the growth of green energy.
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