The world is demanding cleaner and more varied energy sources, and this is driving a reinvention in electric systems, says Anne Pramaggiore in her article, The Road to Reinvention, featured in the May/June 2019 issue of EEI’s Electric Perspectives magazine. The increasing need for electrification is driving new technologies and transformation. Electric companies can and must play an important, foundational role in this change by taking the lead in the transformation of the energy grid.
She names five ways electric companies can do this:
1. Improve reliability of the energy grid. Delivering safe, reliable and affordable power has always been the foundation of electric companies. This must continue to remain a priority, even as the energy grid improves and becomes smarter alongside the digitalisation of the economy.
2. Secure the energy grid against potential threats. As technology improves, electric companies need to ensure that power systems include resilient security features to prevent and reduce the risk of cybersecurity attacks. Equal attention must also be paid to protecting the energy grid from the effects of extreme weather conditions and the long-term consequences of climate change.
3. Expand customer choice and enable increased adoption of new energy models. Electric companies should connect customers to multiple energy solutions and providers to give them more options and pave the way for increased electrification, especially in the transport sector.
4. Push for and support the right policies. Electric companies must recognise that policymakers and regulators play a crucial role in driving energy grid modernisation. By working with policymakers and supporting policies that help with decarbonisation, electric companies can play their part to enable and advance the electrification of transport, housing and industry.
5. Partner with and connect communities in cities, towns and neighbourhoods. By working with businesses and community services to introduce innovative programmes and technologies, electric companies can enable communities to be a part of the energy grid transformation. This is especially important in rural communities with limited access to energy today.
For more ideas about how electric companies can play a bigger part in this transformation, please read The road to reinvention.