The entire U.S. electricity system is experiencing nearly unprecedented change, including slower load growth, retiring traditional baseload capacity, declining costs and increasing deployment of renewable and distributed energy resources, policy changes at the state and federal levels, and rapidly evolving technology. These changes are transforming how end-use customers and electric companies interact, placing pressure on real-time operations and introducing new uncertainties to long-term planning cycles. Investments in the nation’s network of transmission and distribution systems — the backbone of the entire electricity system — are critical to enabling the utility and energy industries and the U.S. economy to adapt to these changes, while maintaining reliability and resiliency in the face of emerging challenges, such as severe weather and cyber threats. System statistics include:
Fundamental shifts in the fuel sources and structure of electricity generation — driven by changing policy, market and technology dynamics — are placing new demands and pressures on the electric grid.
In addition to emerging policy, technology and market factors, extreme weather and the threat of cyber and physical attacks place additional pressures on the electric grid.
Considerable investments in the nation’s grid infrastructure are needed to adapt to new challenges and maintain system resiliency and reliability.
Investing in the nation’s grid infrastructure creates efficiencies and cost savings throughout the entire electricity sector.