– Emergent need for new transmission capacity in the aging US electric grid
– Necessitates thousands of miles of new lines for improved regional links
– Federal and state regulators urge utilities to consider technology for grid upgrade
– Proposition for innovative technology solutions has met with resistance
– Utilities vote for traditional hardware upgrades instead of software fixes
The Gripping Grid Issue
As the U.S electric grid continues to show its age, the demand for new transmission capacity becomes increasingly crucial. According to the Department of Energy, the country will have to lay thousands of miles of new lines to better link regions, thereby ensuring efficient handling of extreme conditions. But this issue, no matter how pressing, has a number of hurdles to surmount before a solution can be effectively implemented.
Regulators Urge a Tech Upgrade
Federal and state regulators are actively encouraging utilities to consider integrating technology into the grid upgrade process. The premise being – by resorting to software fixes over traditional hardware installations and updates, we can streamline the process, and potentially save costs and time. However, this isn’t a catch-all solution.
A Bumpy Road to Innovation
Despite the constant push, this shift towards technological solutions has encountered significant resistance. The utilities are favouring traditional hardware upgrades, citing them as more reliable and feasible in the long run. The difference in opinion has led to an interesting impasse.
The Breezy Take
The predicament facing the U.S electric grid is no easy venture to solve. While regulators push for innovative tech solutions, utilities are proving to be hardliners, sticking to the old guard hardware they trust in. The grid is in dire straits and needs a solution – but whether it will be futuristic technology or tried-and-tested hardware remains to be seen. Regardless of the path taken, the grid must be upgraded – and quickly, considering the increasing dependency of the nation on electricity. The mounting pressure on utilities to innovate maybe just the spark we need for a revolution in energy transmission.
Original article: https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/23/federal-state-regulators-prod-utilities-to-consider-technology-for-grid-upgrade/