Technology Transformation: Power System Challenges Dennis Ray Executive Director Power Systems Engineering Research Center Woodrow Wilson Energy Forum March 8, 2007

Key Points Innovation is happening with PCS (pretty cool stuff). Challenges facing the industry will require continual innovation. People are going to be needed to work on innovations to make innovations work Policies interact with technology innovation decisions – sometime positively, sometimes not.

Synchronized System-Wide Sensing

New Uses of Synchronized Data

Vegetation Management through Intelligent System Monitoring

More Efficient Restoration Plans Generation Transmission Distribution Obtain a coordinated restoration plan Constraints Measurements Operator experience Objectives

Integration of Plug-In Hybrids

Robust generation & transmission Microgrid Enhanced Distribution Demand Response Distribution Substation Customers Transmission Microgrid Robust generation & transmission Advanced distribution is used to provide local reliability and flexibility, robustness of T&D and promote the use of demand response, CHP and renewable intermittent resources.

Role of Policy-Making in Technology Innovation Are regulators really bystanders? What about the clash of good intentions? Keep costs low objectives and legal requirements for allowing only prudently occurred costs Flexibility to take technology risks and support research What about state/regional planning? Forecasts of generation, loads, resources, transmission, etc. to determine investment needs. Where does a technology vision fit in?

Conclusions Collaboration among industry, govern-ment, and universities is needed to educate the next generation of power engineers. Regulators should consider how their everyday decisions influence industry decisions to take technology risks. Industry and policy-makers should have more conversations about technology vision alternatives, and the influence of policy on those alternatives.