The GridWise Wire: October 2024

October 2024

Join GridWise Alliance to Receive Exclusive Benefits

We noticed that you are not a current member of the GridWise Alliance. We invite you to become a member and experience the benefits of membership including exclusive access to the latest policy updates, monthly webinars centered on the latest technology and policy trends, access to strategic stakeholder discussions, opportunities to exchange best practices, and more!

Join our dynamic community of electricity stakeholders all dedicated to accelerating innovation for a more secure, reliable, and resilient grid. Don’t miss your chance to be at the forefront of the grid modernization. Learn more about membership and join us! If you have questions about joining, please reach out to info@gridwise.org.

Time is Running Out to Share Your Insights and Help Shape the Future of Grid Modernization!

The GMI Readiness project seeks input from key stakeholders in the United States, including state utility regulators and staff, state energy policy makers, all electric utilities, and transmission-only entities.

If you haven't done so already, click here to register to participate in the survey. If you have any questions regarding GMI, send us an email.

Watch the GMI Replay!

Recently, Gene Rodrigues, Assistant Secretary for Electricity at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), GridWise Alliance CEO, Karen Wayland, and Phillip Crossland, Managing Director at Black & Veatch Global Advisory discussed this year’s Grid Modernization Index (GMI) process to collect data, and how stakeholders can participate.

Watch Here

GridWise News

GridWise CEO and Board Members Were Selected to EAC!

The GridWise Alliance would like to congratulate GridWise CEO, Karen Wayland and the Chair and Vice Chair of the GridWise Board of Directors, Mark Gabriel, President and CEO, United Power, Inc. and Larry Bekkedahl, Senior VP, Strategy and Advanced Energy Delivery, Portland General Electric on their selection to the 2024 Electricity Advisory Committee (EAC)!

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity (OE) recently announced 16 new members to this committee, including Karen, Larry and Mark. This group of 40 experts plays a key role in advising OE on grid reliability, resilience, security, and policy, as well as identifying emerging challenges in electricity production and delivery. They provide critical recommendations on OE’s research and development initiatives, helping shape the future of the electric grid.

Congratulations Karen, Mark, and Larry! We look forward to following your work on the EAC!

Member Highlight

GridWise Member TVA to Receive DOE Funds for Grid Expansion

The Department of Energy has announced nearly $2 billion in funding for 38 transmission projects across the country, a major step in the Biden administration’s push to bolster the electricity grid amid climate change and growing energy demand. GridWise member, Tennessee Valley Authority was among the projects selected.

Funded through the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, these projects include new power lines, capacity upgrades, wildfire protections, and microgrids—systems that can operate independently. This investment is part of the $10.5 billion Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, described as the largest-ever investment in grid modernization.

Media Highlight

PNNL Releases Transmission Report

The Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory released the results of a report that looks at how new transmission and renewable energy projects in the Western United States could bring economic benefits and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The report, called the Western Interconnection Baseline Study , published September 13, 2024 is part of the National Transmission Planning Study, funded by DOE’s Grid Deployment Office.

Don't Miss Out On These Sessions at gridCONNEXT^® 2024!

Be Sure to Secure Your Spot for gridCONNEXT^® 2024!

gridCONNEXT 2024 ^® will offer a platform to share experiences and best practices for the transition from pilot projects to wide-scale deployment of grid modernization initiatives and explore sessions such as:

What the Results of the 2024 Election Mean For Our Industry
Load Forecasting and the Rapidly Changing Demand
Artificial Intelligence and Data Centers
Migrating Software and New Technologies
Insights from Thought Leaders and Decision Makers from Capitol Hill.

EARLY BIRD rates are ending soon!

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. If your company is interested in sponsorship, reach out to Jane Zaretskie.

Industry Events

UBBA Conference, November 5-7 in Kansas City, MO

GridWise CEO, Karen Wayland will be attending the Utility Broadband Alliance (UBBA) conference in Kansas City, November 5-7, 2024. This event is a collaboration of utilities and ecosystem partners dedicated to championing the advancement and development of private broadband networks for America’s critical infrastructure industries.

NARUC Annual Conference, November 10-13 in Anaheim, CA

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Annual Meeting is the association’s capstone event of the year. This event features a year-end summary from its President, seminal topics across each utility sector, the installation of the new president, and special workshops.

About GridWise Alliance:

The GridWise Alliance leads a diverse membership of electricity industry stakeholders focused on accelerating innovation that delivers a more secure, reliable, resilient, and affordable grid to support decarbonization of the U.S. economy. For more information about the GridWise Alliance, visit: www.gridwise.org.