Here’s Looking at You, Grid: Monthly Digest of Insights Shared by Your Peers in the Energy Central Grid Network – February 11, 2022

The grid is often called the largest and most complex machine that engineers have ever created, and that was before the advent of smart grid technology, modernized solutions, and more taking place across T&D infrastructure all the time today. Keeping up with the developments on grid technology, associated grid markets, and appropriate regulations and policies can be a full-time job, but with the aid of the Grid Network on Energy Central (composed of the Grid Professionals Group and the Transmission Professionals Group) you can be privy to the best shortcut to stay up to date on the news, musings, and debates shaping the grid today.

ERCOT says staffing shortages have them struggling to meet grid reliability deadlines
Rao Konidena

Link to original article: https://energycentral.com/c/gr/ercot-says-staffing-shortages-have-them-struggling-meet-grid-reliability

The grid reliability conversation in 2021 was dominated by discussion of what happened last winter in Texas amid the ERCOT grid going dark during Winter Storm Uri. The 2022 conversation continues to work towards ensuring that doesn’t happen again, and an interesting wrinkle in this was highlighted by Rao in this article about how staffing shortages are making some of the updates even more challenging than they would be otherwise. When it rains (snows?), it pours!

Leveraging Data Analytics to Optimize Utilities Vegetation Management
H. Moreau

Link to original article: https://energycentral.com/c/gr/leveraging-data-analytics-optimize-utilities-vegetation-management

An old school need for utilities, in vegetation management of their assets, is increasingly getting a new school approach, using tech, data, and digital tools. In this article, we learn about how data analytics can make all vegetation management needs streamlined and efficient, ensuring issues like outages, wildfire risks, and more are less of a concern. Check it out.

NYPA is upgrading the LI sound cables!
Mojgan Masuomi

Link to original article: https://energycentral.com/c/tr/nypa-upgrading-li-sound-cables

Part of the fun of Energy Central is being able to hear right away about new projects being implemented, and this one fits the bill as NYPA is upgrading the Long Island sound cables, an underground transmission line that connects different counties. Watching this project move forwards and learning any lessons about overcoming hurdles is the type of value that we can hope to see in the Energy Central Community!

New Energy Central Experts: Varun Perumalla (California ISO) and Leo St. Hilaire (Manitoba Hydro International)

Energy Central Power Perspectives™: Welcome Varun Perumalla of California ISO, New Expert in the Grid Professionals Community- [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Interview]

Welcome Leo St. Hilaire, Expert in the Transmission Professionals Community- [an Energy Central Power Perspectives™ Interview]

Lastly, Energy Central’s Network of Experts continues to be a critical central component of the Community, providing you all with access to industry leaders, experts, and heavyweights. When we introduce new experts to the community, we always like to offer an initial interview with them so you know what type of insights you can expect! This month we published two such interviews with new experts—be sure to head to the comments to leave them a note of welcome and even ask them any burning grid-related questions you have!

This wraps up another edition of ‘Here’s Looking at You, Grid.’ Check back in this spot in four weeks to see what submissions have captured the attention of our community. And if you think there are stories I’m missing—let me know in the comments, or better yet submit an article on those stories so it can be included in the next issue. Make sure you don’t miss out on these shared insights in the future.

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