As society becomes more and more dependent on technology and Mother Nature continues to deliver dramatic weather events across all parts of the globe, utilities must develop and deploy newer and more advanced grid technologies that can proactively respond to potential impacts and recover quickly from outages. But, is grid modernization only about the technologies… Keep reading →
The Internet of Things (IoT) is propelling new services in energy management. Think of all the home appliances that are now connected or will be connected in the near future such as thermostats, refrigerators, and washers and dryers. In the IoT value chain, most organizations in the energy management sector are capitalizing on the connected… Keep reading →
Jobs in the energy industry are expected to nearly double to 3 million by 2020. Yet, 72 percent of energy employers are having difficulty finding quality candidates to fill their positions, as they grapple with an aging workforce and a growing skills shortage. Legacy knowledge and understanding built up over years of utility experience resides… Keep reading →
With growing awareness of the risks from cyber attacks, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) this past April took steps to enhance U.S. cyber security standards. Their plan seeks to improve the resiliency of critical network operations in electric generation, distribution and transmission systems. The ripple effects of compliance will be felt throughout the U.S.… Keep reading →
From improving the resiliency of the electric grid to devising new ways to integrate low-carbon sources of energy, the Energy Department’s National Labs are at the forefront of modernizing and securing our nation’s electricity infrastructure. To help drive this innovation, the scientists at the National Labs use some of the most cutting-edge facilities in the world — many of… Keep reading →
EDF’s Energy Innovation Series highlights innovations across a broad range of energy categories, including smart grid and renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency financing and progressive utilities, to name a few. This Series helps illustrate that cost-effective, clean energy solutions are available now and imperative to lowering our dependence on fossil fuels. Find more information on this featured… Keep reading →
Cybersecurity is becoming an increasingly important issue for utilities and other energy companies as more business tasks are connected to online environments in various ways. To better address these risks, President Obama issued Executive Order 13636, “Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity,” which called for the development of a voluntary risk-based Cybersecurity to enhance the security and resilience… Keep reading →
Have you ever heard of a synchrophasor? It may sound like a word out of science fiction, but these mailbox-sized devices are already changing the electrical grid as we know it. The grid was born over a century ago, at a time when our needs were simpler and our demand much lower. More complex needs are… Keep reading →
Users of critical infrastructure – for example, the electrical grid – are not really known for being blessed with outstanding customer service from their respective providers. Instead, for operators/providers – i.e. utilities – of a public good such as electricity, customers seem not to be the primary consideration given that utilities have a legal “obligation… Keep reading →
$8 billion in smart grid stimulus projects is only a fraction of what’s needed to modernize the grid. The approximately $4 billion in Smart Grid Investment Grants that were issued as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was parlayed into nearly $8 billion in grid modernization projects that are still ongoing.… Keep reading →
