The Energy Collective - IEEE Smart Grid

Was Edison Right After All? Reconsidering DC Power

Date: May 3, 2013
Publication: The Energy Collective

Adoption of the right technologies is important to preserving our country's leadership position. IEEE Smart Grid technical expert, Steven Collier begins a discussion in this month's Energy Collective Blog: Was Edison Right Afterall? Reconsidering DC Power.

After a review on why AC power became the default, Steven proposes that the adoption of DC power is the best move forward for the U.S. Grid citing the the benefits and shortcomings of the two currents have flipped. Steven suggests that nanogrids or microgrids are an alternative to a full retrofit to our system while other developing countries will most likely go directly to DC power. Our decision leads to a host of economic and political risks. Read more

Energy and Extreme Weather: Derechos and Hurricane Sandy

Date: February 4 2013
Publication: The Energy Collective

Severe weather events are occurring more often with greater severity resulting in bigger and longer customer power outages. The destruction and associated power outages have caused many homeowners and business people to conclude that their electric utility may no longer be able to serve them when they need it the most. And what is their recourse? To own and operate their own backup generation. Read more