Controlling the Future Electric Power Grid

Overview

The increased penetration of wind, photovoltaic (PV) solar, and other distributed renewable electric generation is challenging the status quo of to-day’s electric power grids and consumption patterns, requiring new grid control and pricing models for electricity. 

Electric Power Grid Visionaries

Decades ago, visionaries such as Fred Schweppe, a professor at MIT; and Emory Lovins, chief scientist at the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), predicted the need for grid control changes that are only now beginning to be realized.

Fred Schweppe promoted the idea of dynamic demand (now called demand response) and homeostatic control, a system that will permit the utility to charge a rate for electric power that equals (or more nearly equals), the current costs of generating the power.  Most of us are familiar with fixed-price schedules such as time-of-day pricing, but modern communications and regulatory reforms now enable real-time pricing at the point of connection.

Emory Lovins, known for his article “Energy Strategy: The Road Not Taken?” and the term “negawatt,” promoted an alternative future in which energy efficiency and appropriate renewable energy sources steadily re-place a centralized energy system. He suggested a "negawatt revolution," arguing that utility customers don't necessarily want kilowatt-hours of electricity; they want energy services, such as hot showers, cold beer, well-lit rooms, and spinning shafts, which could all be provided at lower cost if electricity is used more efficiently.

ARC Advisory Group clients can view the complete report at ARC Main Client Portal or at ARC Office 365 Client Portal

If you would like to buy this report or obtain information about how to become a client, please Contact Us  

Keywords: Electric Utility, Microgrid, Power Generation, Grid-scale Battery Storage, Demand Response, Transmission & Distribution (T&D), Combined Heat and Power (CHP), Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), ARC Advisory Group.