Current Transmission Grid not Capable of Facilitating Renewable Energy Revolution-


Dominique Browning, award winning editor and author, recently discussed the comprehensive nature of electricity with the Deputy Director of the Environmental Defense Fund‘s (EDF) Energy Program, Mark Brownstein; keeping many at close attention to the startling imprudence behind the foundation of America’s electricity grid. Brownstein conveys that “electricity is the only industry that has not yet been revolutionized by the information technology that has so utterly transformed the rest of our lives.” According to the deputy director, nearly 50 percent of the nation’s electricity comes from burning coal – the filthiest, most carbon-concentrated source of energy. The constant burning of coal not only severely pollutes our atmosphere and contributes to acid rain, but also wastes substantial quantities of water and produces mercury emissions which enter into our waterways, in turn contaminating our food supplies. All the while, of course, electricity demand is rapidly increasing; the Department of Energy has determined that the demand for electricity will rise by at least 26 percent over the next 23 years.

Fortunately, America has other sources of energy to look toward for this future need, which is abundantly available via the wind and sun. Regrettably however, the country is – at the present time – unprepared for such an advantageous leap into nationwide renewable energy. The process behind energy generation and distribution has essentially remained unaltered for an entire century; and although the grid is a development to admire, it is severely frail when considering the enormous hurdles traversed in technology over the decades. For instance, if a tree were to collapse onto a transmission line in Atlanta, it would take sheer seconds for consumers all the way in New York to experience the electricity loss. The disastrous blackout in the Northeast during August 2003 is a proper case in point, as the power outage was triggered by branches merely touching two wires in Ohio. Not to mention, the grid, however swift, is not so in efficiency; two-thirds of the fuel burned to produce electricity is lost in the process of production and delivery. EDF is working to eradicate wasted energy, as they are partnering in the Pecan Street Project, one of the nation’s first all-inclusive grid experiments. Team leader, Miriam Horn, states, “Smart grids are networked, like the internet. They will find what you need on the energy web and route it to you along the most efficient pathways. They’ll adjust demand to match clean, renewable supply, not only in your home, but across neighborhoods.” Smart grids will help to increase our awareness of energy consumption, as the pioneering technology will offer wide-ranging detail regarding what consumers are expending on excess appliances; and will also help to reveal the best time of day to use certain appliances which utilize more energy than others. With energy authorities like Brownstein and Horn working to smarten up the grid, it offers the U.S. an optimism that has seemingly been out of reach for many. While there are still countless others that remain in opposition of the green energy revolution – along with a more dependable grid system – it is important for environmental advocates to adopt an unswerving attitude if America is to get the clean energy future she so emphatically deserves. Video below, courtesy of IBM, illustrates the importance of a smarter grid infrastructure.