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GridWorks Multi-Year Plan; Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution



GridWorks Multi-Year Plan
Page
Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution


Multi-Year Plan

Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution
United States Department of Energy
March 2005







GridWorks Multi-Year Plan
Page
Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution

Reliable, affordable, secure, and clean electric power enables economic
growth, public health and safety, and environmental quality.

Americas electric infrastructure of power lines, substations, transformer
banks, and switchyards is aging and suffering from underinvestment.
Over the past several decades power plants have become cleaner and
more fuel efficient; as have electricity-using appliances and equipment.
However, during that same time period, the vast majority of the
equipment that delivers electricity from power plants to consumers has
not changed. Forecasts show that future investments in electric
transmission and distribution are not expected to keep pace with the
growth in demand.

The Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution is dedicated to the
modernization of Americas electric grid. The Presidents 2004 state-of-
the-union address contained a call to action for modernizing the grid.
The National Energy Policy and the National Transmission Grid Study
contain recommendations for grid modernization.

Towards this end, beginning in fiscal year 2005, the U.S. Congress
appropriated funds for two new research and development programs:
GridWorks and GridWise. These programs address two key aspects of
grid modernization: (1) the introduction of next generation hardware
for cables and conductors, substations and protective systems, and
power electronics, and (2) the integration of information systems and
digital technologies into the electric system.

There is an urgent need for America to act, but these new programs are
only a part of the effort that is needed. Utilities, equipment
manufacturers, state government agencies, national laboratories, and
universities can join us in building public-private partnerships to tackle
the challenges and implement effective solutions. There is an important
federal role in facilitating this process. The aim is to leverage taxpayer
investments in research and development with private capital to spur
innovation and accelerate market acceptance.
P
REFACE
-M
ODERNIZING

THE
G
RID

Utilities, equipment
manufacturers, state
government agencies,
national laboratories,
and universities can
join us in building
public-private
partnerships to tackle
the challenges and
implement effective
solutions.
i

Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution

GridWorks Multi-Year Plan
Page ii
This GridWorks multi-year plan outlines priorities and future directions.
These were derived from extensive consultations with electric utilities,
equipment manufacturers, and others. We are grateful to the 160
electric industry professionalsand the organizations they represent
for participating in the GridWorks RD&D Planning Workshop in October
2004. Their input was invaluable and we appreciate their dedication to
the cause.

The plan is designed to serve national needs and produce results today,
while at the same time building capabilities for the future. However, it is
not a plan designating the Federal Governments role in grid
modernization, but what they will do in conjunction with GridWorks
stakeholders. This plan is a means to help coordinate grid
modernization efforts by addressing critical needs and strengthen our
working relationships with our partners. Please join with us in this most
important endeavor.

U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution


GridWorks Multi-Year Plan
Page
Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution

GridWorks is a new program activity in the U.S. Department of Energys
Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution (OETD). Its aim is to
improve the reliability of the electric system through the modernization of
key grid components: cables and conductors, substations and protective
systems, and power electronics.

This multi-year plan is the result of extensive consultation with
representatives of the electric utility industry, power system equipment
manufacturers, other Federal and State agencies, universities, and
national laboratories. Over 160 electricity experts and practitioners
participated in the GridWorks RD&D planning workshop and webcast to
identify technical barriers to grid modernization, determine the most
important needs for GridWorks to address, and set goals and priorities
for these needs.

The plan includes near-term activities to incrementally improve existing
power systems and accelerate their introduction into the marketplace. It
also includes long-term activities to develop new technologies, tools,
and techniques to support the modernization of the electric grid for the
requirements of the 21
st
century.

The plan calls for coordinating GridWorks activities with those of
complementary efforts underway in the Office, including: high
temperature superconducting systems, transmission reliability
technologies, electric distribution technologies, energy storage devices,
and GridWise systems. Opportunities for leveraging funding will be
sought from other Federal agencies such as the Department of Defense
(DoD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as well as from
state agencies, and the private sector.

Fiscal year 2005 is the first year funds were appropriated to support
GridWorks activities. The plan will be adjusted to respond to annual
changes in the budget and level of appropriations from Congress.


E
XECUTIVE
S
UMMAR Y

iii
The plan includes near-
term activities to
incrementally improve
existing power systems
and accelerate their
introduction into the
marketplace. It also
includes long-term
activities to develop new
technologies, tools, and
techniques to support the
modernization of the
electric grid for the
requirements of the
21
st
century economy.


GridWorks Multi-Year Plan
Page
Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution
The proposed key areas of GridWorks are summarized below. This is
followed by two charts that provide a roadmap for development based
on defined industry needs, which are targets for development.

Key Areas

Cables and Conductors. This activity seeks to improve electric
reliability by increasing the delivery capacity of transmission and
distribution systems. It seeks to improve the affordability of electric
services by reducing the need for new rights-of-way. It seeks to
improve the efficiency of electric delivery by reducing the energy
losses. Efforts in cables are focused on increasing delivery capacity
and lowering the costs of underground cables. Efforts in conductors
are focused on development of better materials that increase
delivery capacity and lower line sag. A key aspect of both efforts is
to develop embedded sensors for remote diagnostics, improved
operations, and maintenance. The metric is carrying capacity
compared to standard transmission lines such as those that use
aluminum conductor, steel reinforced (ACSR) equipment.


Substations and Protective Systems. This activity seeks to improve
electric reliability by enhancing security and standardization of
substations and components. It seeks to improve the affordability of
electric service by increasing the utilization of existing electric system
assets. It seeks to improve overall electric system efficiency by
increasing the load factor. Efforts in next generation systems and
components are aimed at the development of advanced
transformers, breakers, and fault current limiters. Efforts in asset
management and security are aimed at the development real-time
diagnostics and other grid management tools in coordination with
GridWise. The metric is the level of asset utilization achieved with
advanced substation designs and components compared to typical
substations today.






iv

Cables & Conductors

Substations &
Protective Equipment

Power Electronics


GridWorks Multi-Year Plan
Page
Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution

Power Electronics. This activity seeks to improve electric reliability by
developing a new class of devices that have greater functionality
than conventional models and provide grid operators with greater
flexibility to respond to changing system conditions and needs. It
seeks to increase affordability through a more favorable value
proposition that expands functions and services at acceptable costs
compared to existing switches and other conventional power
devices. It seeks to improve overall electric system efficiency through
the development of devices with a smaller footprint compared to
conventional systems with expanded functionality. The metric is the
cost-value proposition fo