The Case for a National Integrated Grid
Our country’s power grid is fragmented and somewhat outdated. Because of this, now would be a great time for the responsible parties to consider strategies for optimizing the network. One such strategy is the development of an integrated grid that covers the U.S. in its entirety, a course of action that researchers at the U.S. Energy Department believe would be beneficial.
Why a National Integrated Grid Makes Sense
The nation’s grid is essentially comprised of 3 smaller grids linked together by transmission connections at the seams. There are three main reasons why the development of a nationwide integrated grid makes sense:
- The equipment currently comprising these connection points is decades old and inefficient, and could be replaced by newer and more efficient technologies like high-voltage direct current equipment in order to reduce operating expenses and increase storm resiliency.
- It would make renewable energy more widely available.
- It would enable the seamless transfer or distribution of energy across the grid to smooth the peaks and valleys of renewable generation (for example, an extremely windy day might produce more wind energy than is needed to meet local demand, so this energy can be moved to other areas during times of over-production).
For more detailed information on the benefits of a national integrated grid, as well as to access a PDF of the research report, click here.
The debate around nationalization of the grid has been going on for nearly 100 years, so none of this is new. The bottom line is that an integrated grid may help mitigate the impacts of global warming by enabling widespread usage of renewable energy, and it will make the grid more reliable and resilient. Sounds like a win-win to me!
