David K. Owens, executive vice president, Business Operations Group for the Edison Electric Institute, comments on the progress U.S. utilities are making toward a smarter electrical power grid.
Everyone talks about the importance of a stronger and smarter transmission system, but it often seems that little is being done. To get a read on the current state of grid modernization, POWER Editor-in-Chief Dr. Robert Peltier, PE talked with David K. Owens, who has a unique overview of the grid landscape thanks to his position at the Edison Electric Institute (EEI).
What is the role of the electric utility industry in this century?
Owens: The job of every electric company remains the same as it has for the past 100 years—delivering a reliable, affordable electricity supply. But the world in which we are performing that job continues to change dramatically.
We are moving toward a clean energy future. We are building advanced generating stations. We are expanding the use of renewables. And we are creating a smarter grid.
What role is EEI playing in a clean energy future?
Owens: Edison Electric Institute and its member electric companies are particularly excited by the potential that modernizing the grid has to offer the industry and its customers. More than 90% of EEI’s members already are working to modernize their grid. These efforts will:
- Empower customers to better control their electricity use.
- Encourage the development of renewable energy sources.
- Expand the use of distributed generation sources.
- Support the use electricity as a fuel for cars and trucks.
- Enhance the reliability and efficiency of the power grid.
- Improve service restoration.
- Provide the framework and foundation for future economic growth and global competitiveness.
In particular, though, modernizing the grid will help us to transform how we serve our customers. For example, many EEI member companies are now installing advanced metering infrastructure and information technologies to improve their call center functions. These technologies will enable us to push more information out to customers about their electricity service—information about outage response/restoration times, energy usage, and price alerts. And the modern grid will enable us to use multiple modes of communication to do so, including phone, email, and text messaging.
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