Here’s Looking at You, Grid: Monthly Digest of Insights Shared by Your Peers in the Energy Central Grid Network – May 6, 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.

The Evolution of the Microgrid

Kristin Hogan

Link to original article: https://energycentral.com/c/pip/evolution-microgrid   

One of the bigger stories on the grid these days is actually the grid getting smaller, even micro. Microgrids are popping up across the country and enhancing customer reliability, grid resilience, and clean energy penetration. To understand how we got to today’s landscape in microgrids, Kirstin Hogan of SolMicroGrid shares this article detailing the evolution over the past few decades to set up what today is assuredly a critical moment in the microgrid industry.

Grid Modernization is Critical

Linda Stevens

Link to original article: https://energycentral.com/c/gr/grid-modernization-critical

Microgrids are one part of a larger conversation taking place today, though and that conversation is about grid modernization. Much of the T&D infrastructure was built decades ago, and it’s starting to show that wear and tear. Further, the possibilities of the grid thanks to new technologies are more impressive and beneficial than ever, so grid modernization is at the key intersection of updating and upgrading what our grid can do. Linda Stevens, Co-Founder of 51by1, details that importance in this great article that you’ll surely want to share (and feel free to leave her your thoughts and questions in the comments so you can keep the conversation going!).

Distribution planning is more complex now

Doug Houseman

Link to the original article: https://energycentral.com/c/tr/distribution-planning-more-complex-now   

While focus from politicians, utility leaders, and even customers have all circulated around the idea of modernizing, improving, and hardening grid systems, Doug Houseman is here to let us know that none of these endeavors are necessarily quick or easy fixes. Rather, the regulatory and market landscape surrounding T&D is more complex than ever before and that’s being reflected in the planning required. When Doug shares in the community at Energy Central, we’re always quick to listen—this article of his is a great example of one that you won’t want to miss out on!

Flexible smart grid architecture as a foundation for innovation

Andrew Braeger

Link to the original article: https://energycentral.com/c/gr/flexible-smart-grid-architecture-foundation-innovation    

To wrap up this week’s digest, we dip into the world of smart grid technology and excitingly get the perspective of a utility leader, Andrew Braeger of Tacoma Public Utilities. As a part of the recent Energy Central Special Issue on Innovation in the Power Industry, Andrew shares some of the latest and greatest in the world of smart grid innovation and what it means for flexible grid construction and operation in the future. I highly recommend checking out this article and all others in the special issue (see this link), and once again leave comments and questions you have on all of these pieces from the great authors!

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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