There have been a number of recent articles that compare how different states approach grid modernization and how these investments hold up in the face of severe weather events. For example, “How California and Florida reinforced their grids after deadly disasters, while Texas dilly-dallied,” highlighted the critical need for utilities to invest in grid hardening and resilience and the solid results these investments deliver. The successful grid modernization projects in California and Florida illustrate what is possible with investments in today’s technologies and a holistic view of electrical infrastructure – from generation to transmission to distribution.
We can expect similar analyses and calls to action in the aftermath of the next extreme weather event. Utilities will again come under scrutiny.
However, it's important to note that the responsibility for grid modernization doesn't rest solely on utilities. They understand the need to invest in grid hardening and modernization, but they must also balance the interests of all stakeholders and consumers. The decision to invest in grid modernization is a collective and highly regulated one involving local, state, and federal representatives, shareholders, other stakeholders, and consumers.
While significant funding initiatives like the Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program help underwrite grid modernization efforts, these projects can take years. As utilities make these investment proposals and assume the costs, they are also under immense pressure not to pass cost increases onto consumers. They are often criticized when proposing the very grid modernization investments that will significantly improve power reliability, resilience, and storm readiness.
Making the large-scale improvements our aging grid needs takes time, effort, and money. While the electrical grid may not seem tangible for many people, it is the backbone of our economy, security, and community health and safety. Days-long blackouts are unacceptable, expensive, and potentially catastrophic. To help build an outage-free, sustainable electrical energy future, we must help support utilities so they can make critically important investments in today’s proven technologies and advance a more resilient, reliable, and sustainable grid.
We are at a decisive point in shaping tomorrow’s grid and our electrical energy potential, and it's time to move past blame and start working together toward a more resilient future. The real question we should ask ourselves is not, 'Can we afford to invest in the grid?' but 'Can we afford not to?' Our shared goal is a future where sustained power outages are confined to history. It’s up to all of us to make it a reality.