APIs allow two or more software applications to communicate with each other, giving grids a hardware-free path to communicate with IoT-connected devices that can greatly impact grid load, like electric vehicles. “Digital solutions present a major opportunity for utilities to increase revenue and lower emissions,” says Eileen Waris, principal at Energize Ventures. 77% of utilities surveyed by the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) introduced DERs into load-forecasting processes so demand can be properly funneled into a wider energy resource mix.

To take full advantage of opportunities to benefit consumers and advance emissions-reducing technologies, almost all of the rules and regulations governing the electric grid need to be updated. CRA supports utilities and other market participants in the development of new grid strategies, roadmaps, and investment plans that will accommodate the rapid growth in distributed energy resources, electric vehicles, and customer systems. Updated rules, planning processes, and financial incentives can enable the adoption of technologies critical to meet 2030 and longer term emissions reduction targets. The IRA introduced numerous opportunities for tax benefits, particularly for new development projects. Grids are shifting to a more decentralized architecture with rapid increases in distributed energy resources such as solar, storage, electric vehicles, and microgrids, as well as an increased integration of smart technologies.

• To take full advantage of opportunities to benefit consumers and advance emissions-reducing technologies, almost all of the rules and regulations governing the electric grid need to be updated.
• Grid and asset modernization is the foundation to build lasting reductions in O&M costs, increased safety, and effective capital spending.
• The Grid Modernization focus area invests in studies, product development, and demonstrations of technology that support a stronger, smarter grid.
• Grid modernization innovations have shaped the energy sector, paving the way for a transition to a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.
• These targeted interventions create immediate benefits while building momentum for broader modernization efforts.
• Instead of the one-way flow of communication in the traditional grid, the smart grid leverages digital technology that allows for two-way communication between consumers and utilities.

As the energy industry moves further into 2026, a convergence of policy uncertainty, accelerating load growth, and increasing affordability pressures is reshaping the development of U.S. energy… Services also include development of business cases, cost-benefit analysis, and regulatory support, including writing and providing testimony. This includes planning related to the incorporation of increasing grid intelligence and automation, IT/OT systems, and related data analytics. As renewable energy penetration increases, load patterns change and become more unpredictable, and extreme weather events become more common in the face of climate change, investments must be made to ensure the grid remains safe, reliable, secure, and resilient. As many countries across the globe are focusing their energy policy on decarbonization, the electric grid is evolving. She advises C-suite leaders across both regulated and unregulated markets, blending technical rigor with strategic insight.

Related content

Utilities then expand visibility and automation through sensors, smart meters and automated switching technologies. The most effective utilities follow a phased implementation strategy that delivers measurable value at every stage while minimizing disruption. These targeted interventions create immediate benefits while building momentum for broader modernization efforts. Advanced analytics are also helping reduce technical losses and improve operational efficiency. A similar strategy is underway in Serbia, where ElektroDistribucija Srbije is modernizing one of Southeast Europe’s largest distribution networks, which serves 3.8 million customers. Modernized grids improve efficiency, reduce outages, accelerate restoration, and support the integration of distributed energy resources, including solar, wind, and battery storage.

Over the years, OE has continued investing in the research, development, and demonstration of advanced technologies while also developing new modeling and analytics capabilities that can evolve as technology and policy needs mature. A critical component of grid modernization is a coordinated, strategic research, development and demonstration (RD&D) effort that involves both the public and private sectors. This exciting transformation of the nation’s electric grid creates both challenges and opportunities to advance the capabilities of today’s electricity delivery system. These advanced technologies include advanced sensors https://www.davespda.com/software/utilities.htm known as Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) that allow operators to assess grid stability, advanced digital meters that give consumers better information and automatically report outages, relays that sense and recover from faults in the substation automatically, automated feeder switches that re-route power around problems, and batteries that store excess energy and make it available later to the grid to meet customer demand.

• As renewable adoption increases, Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems, or DERMS, enable utilities to forecast and orchestrate distributed energy resources including solar and battery storage.
• In their role protecting the public interest, state regulators who oversee these utility investments seek to balance benefits and costs.
• To capitalize on the opportunities that load growth from new data center demand represents, utilities must balance enabling economic development and protecting existing customers from undue financial…
• America’s economy, national security and even the health and safety of our citizens depend on the reliable delivery of electricity.

Grid Modernization is more than modernizing our power grid, it is the process of strengthening the power grid in every aspect by means of distributed energy resources. DERMS complements this by forecasting and orchestrating distributed energy resources, including solar, wind, and storage. As renewable adoption https://www.nonewmoney.org/how-to-save-money-on-utilities/ increases, Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems, or DERMS, enable utilities to forecast and orchestrate distributed energy resources including solar and battery storage.

The U.S. electric grid is an engineering marvel with more than 9,200 electric generating units having more than 1 million megawatts of generating capacity connected to more than 600,000 miles of transmission lines. America’s economy, national security and even the health and safety of our citizens depend on the reliable delivery of electricity.

Grid modernization for electric and gas utilities – A strategy for success

Hosting capacity analyses allow utilities, regulators, and electricity customers to make more efficient and cost-effective choices about where, when, and how to deploy distributed energy resources on the grid. The GridMod Playbook aims to ensure more efficient and impactful grid modernization efforts in support of state public policy goals, such as clean energy adoption, across the United States and U.S. territories. IREC leverages lessons learned from our multi-state experience to provide a national perspective on how to successfully undertake grid modernization efforts. In their role protecting the public interest, state regulators who oversee these utility investments seek to balance benefits and costs. In recent years, state regulators have seen a surge in utility smart grid investments, from advanced metering infrastructure to smart appliances and distributed energy resources. The event brought together innovative business leaders and thought leaders in the sustainable food and agriculture space to showcase products and network.

Reports and research

It can help improve system efficiencies, reduce costs for both electric consumers and companies, allow for the integration of renewable-energy generation and distribution, and https://waste-recycling.info/methods-of-nuclear-waste-disposal/ help lower carbon and other emissions. Companies are deploying grid-scale energy storage at various points in the grid to bolster resilience and manage extreme weather events. These technologies reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector while enhancing grid flexibility and reliability.