How technology is empowering grid reliability and safety through early fault detection?

The U.S. electrical grid needs to significantly expand its capacity to meet growing demands from electrification and renewable energy sources. Studies, such as those from the Department of Energy and Princeton University, estimate that by 2050 , the grid's transmission capacity will need to increase between two to five times its current levels. Specifically, grid transmission expansion is expected to require a 60% to 100% increase in capacity by 2035 to support the shift to a zero-carbon grid, as per President Biden’s 2035 clean energy goals. This expansion will be crucial as economies and lifestyles shift towards greater electrification and connectivity, i.e., the adoption of electric vehicles, rapid data center growth, etc., but also to support the adoption of renewables like wind and solar, given that these sources introduce unique challenges and requirements to grid infrastructure. Expanding the grid requires not only building new infrastructure but also upgrading existing systems to meet modern demands. This includes adding thousands of miles of high-capacity transmission lines to efficiently connect renewable energy sources to demand centers, which will be central to increasing grid capacity. Equally important, however, is enhancing current infrastructure with advanced technologies—such as reconductoring with high-capacity conductors and implementing predictive analytics—to reach capacity goals while minimizing the need for entirely new lines. This balanced approach helps preserve existing assets while supporting a more resilient, efficient grid. Ensuring that existing infrastructure remains reliable and resilient is essential to optimizing grid efficiency and minimizing unnecessary expenses on reactive maintenance and emergency repairs. By proactively maintaining and modernizing the current transmission network, the high costs associated with unexpected failures and outages can be avoided, and those cost savings can be redirected to the expansion of the grid. This assurance of maintaining a resilient infrastructure also supports uninterrupted power delivery, which is crucial for public safety, especially during extreme weather
events. Investing in preventive technologies and grid-enhancing measures, such as advanced sensors and fault detection systems, reduces both the frequency and severity of outages and extends the life of existing assets, maximizing the value of limited funding sources.

Session sponsored by IND Technology