![]() ![]() The benefit of distributed energy reduces the likelihood of cascading blackouts – a failure of systems of interconnected power sources. The ability to tap into aggregated DERs improves grid reliability and allows utilities an alternative to often high-emitting peaker plants. With the added energy storage, this solution could also be dispatchable. This presents opportunities to use the aggregated distributed energy resources in the power grid balancing. homes have installed solar panels on their roofs, reducing power prices and general load on the grid, while the homeowners in several states also have the option to sell power back to the grid. Security of supply issues coupled with beneficial policy support have made many domestic and commercial users turn to their own energy sources, such as rooftop solar. Grid Balancing With Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) Smart Grid technology helps reroute capacity from overloaded lines to underutilized ones. Digitalization of the grid by using tools, such as internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence and using probabilistic rather than deterministic system planning, allows for better and more effective planning of resources. Increasing penetration of smart meters allows utilities, transmission system operators and other system participants to more accurately plan for supply requirements. Other notable players in this space include Siemens, General Electric, Honeywelland ABB. Sentient Energy makes sensors for overhead and underground power lines that provide system operators with accurate load monitoring as well as a detailed analysis of potential faults. This enables system operators to have visibility of power lines in remote areas, react quickly to fix the faults, activate demand response or reroute supply. Having sensors on the power grid allows real-time detection of any changes in weather patterns, congestion, or potential faults in the power lines. Hitachi Energy, for example, uses artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities to provide satellite imagery to help predict and detect vegetation that is too close to power lines. Trees falling on the power lines are currently the leading cause of power disruptions in North America. Measuring vegetation helps detect potential impact on the grid from falling trees and the threat of wildfires. Companies like ALD Technical Solutions enable utilities to increase the capacity of the power lines and reinforce the gridlines by wrapping a composite wire around them. Southern California Edison is using fire resistant poles and fast acting fuses. ![]() ![]() Texas grid operator Ercot and utility companies CentrePoint Energy and ConEdison are also hardening their substations by moving the facilities on flood planes to a higher ground, waterproofing the equipment, and building protective shelters to protect them from adverse weather conditions. However, undergrounding is expensive, not always possible in areas with difficult terrain, and subject to ‘not-in-my backyard’ attitudes from landowners. With the key piece of infrastructure subterranean, it is completely unaffected by the weather on the surface. The most obvious solution to make power grids more weatherproofed is to move overhead lines underground. Physical and Front-of-the-Meter Solutions On November 18, 2022, the Grid Deployment Office released a Funding Opportunity Announcement for the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, including the Smart Grid Grants. The Smart Grid Grant program will invest up to $3B ($600M/year for Fiscal Years 2022-2026) in grid resilience technologies and solutions. Smart grid technologies funded and deployed at scale through this program must demonstrate a pathway to wider market adoption.
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