Smart Grids

Where this fits

How sensing, communications, automation and analytics add visibility to the physical electric grid.

Core system ideas

A smart grid is still a physical electricity network; digital systems improve measurement, coordination and control.

Advanced metering, distribution automation, synchrophasors and grid applications create more timely operating information.

Connectivity also increases dependence on communications, software lifecycle and cybersecurity.

Interfaces and tradeoffs

Modernization layers sensing, communications, software and power electronics onto the physical grid. Those additions create new capabilities as well as lifecycle, interoperability and cybersecurity dependencies.

What organizations measure

Data availability, outage detection, automation success, network performance and cyber resilience.