A Special Issue on Smart Grid Policy

By Massoud Amin and Angelique Rajski Parashis

In 2016, IEEE Smart Grid continued to have another banner year by every measure, thanks to efforts of a great team involved. Together we serve as the go-to resource, with expertise in all aspects related to grid modernization, from local to national and global assessments, from microgrids and technologies, to policy impacts and ROI, from engineering and optimization of the power grid to smart villages.

By Gordon Lum

Traditionally, electric utilities have supplied energy based on predicted demand. This paradigm is rapidly changing as an increasing number of less-predictable Distributed Energy Resources (DER), particularly solar, come online. DER have intermittent and currently uncontrolled effects on the grid, leading to stability issues, including blackouts, which ironically are due to over-production of energy.

By Melanie Johnson and Harold Sanborn

The U.S. Department of Defense, driven by energy policy and increasing energy costs, pursues innovative technology to improve energy efficiency and monitor energy consumption at both domestic installations and deployed locations. Smart grid technology underpins many of these advancements and enables the DoD to better understand consumption patterns and make informed decisions regarding energy use. However, higher operational security requirements and maintenance costs pose a unique challenge to implementing smart grid technology throughout DoD and requires additional planning and development to ensure successful adoption.

By Vivek Bhandari and Stephen Rose

Smart grid technologies developed to solve grid problems in advanced market economies also offer important benefits to grids in emerging economies. In both cases, smart-grid technologies make more efficient use of existing infrastructure. In emerging economies, they can also improve reliability and resilience by better managing insufficient generation, reducing pilferage and by facilitating integration of distributed generation into micro, mini and national grid. However, careful attention must be paid to smart grid deployment in these regions. We explain smart grid from an emerging economy’s perspective.


Past Issues

To view archived articles, and issues, which deliver rich insight into the forces shaping the future of the smart grid. Older Bulletins (formerly eNewsletter) can be found here. To download full issues, visit the publications section of the IEEE Smart Grid Resource Center.

IEEE Smart Grid Bulletin Editors

IEEE Smart Grid Bulletin Compendium

The IEEE Smart Grid Bulletin Compendium "Smart Grid: The Next Decade" is the first of its kind promotional compilation featuring 32 "best of the best" insightful articles from recent issues of the IEEE Smart Grid Bulletin and will be the go-to resource for industry professionals for years to come. Click here to read "Smart Grid: The Next Decade"