: Bringing the Electricity System into the Information Age

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Bringing the Electricity System into the
Information Age
Information technology will profoundly transform
the planning and operation of the power grid
Energizing the Northwest September, 2004

• Rob Pratt
• Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

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U.S. DOE GridWise Initiative GridWise Alliance
are Mobilizing Government and Industry

• Utilize information technologies to revolutionize
  energy systems as they have revolutionized other
  aspects of U.S. business.
• Create value for all participants by developing
  and deploying technology solutions that cross
  enterprise and regulatory boundaries.
• Enhance security and reliability through an
  information-rich power grid that is flexible and
  adaptive.
• Empower consumers to benefit from their
  participation in the operation of the power grid.

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Information The Virtual Electric Infrastructure
FACT In the next 20 years, the U.S. will
spend 450B on electric infrastructure, just to
meet load growth.
CHOICE Perpetuate a 20th Century solution
OR Invest in a 21st Century system saving
ratepayers 80B while increasing reliability and
flexibility.
Revealing Values Communications Advanced
Controls Electric infrastructure
The choice is easy because bits ltlt iron
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Connecting the Dots of the Value Chain Revealing
Value at All Levels to All Participants
Penetration
30
Rate-of-Return
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Grid Frequency Signature from August 14 Eastern
Interconnection Blackout
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Grid-Friendly Appliances (GFAs) Help Keep the
Lights On
Loads and Reserves on a Typical U.S. Peak Day
Resident (non-GFA) 10
GFA potential exceeds US operating reserve
requirements!
Industrial 28
Residential (GFA) 20
Operating reserves 13
Commercial 29
GFA appliances heat, AC, HW, refrig.
Grid-Friendly Appliances sense grid frequency
excursions control regions appliances to act
as spinning reserve No communications required!
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Assets Fully Utilized a Few Hours per Year
90
75
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