E – 1201 DOE Smart Grid: an Introduction

The U.S. electric power infrastructure—the grid—will face large challenges in the next 20-30 years as population and associated energy demand increase, environmental regulations become more strict, and the possibility of terrorist attacks must be considered. Fortunately, we have a way forward. Federal and state policymakers, business leaders, and other stakeholders are coming to agree that a “Smart Grid” is not only needed but achievable. The Department of Energy lists five fundamental technologies that will make up the Smart Grid: 1) Integrated communications; 2) Sensing and measurement technologies; 3) Advanced components (for example, superconductivity, storage, power electronics and diagnostics); 4) Advanced control methods; and 5) Improved interfaces and decision support.

The present course describes these technologies in sufficient detail to show their potential for saving energy, lowering costs to the consumer, increasing security, and reducing emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases.

This course includes a true/false and multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to highlight the general concepts of the course material.