Advanced Grid Technologies

Advanced grid technologies are equipment, services, and applications (both hardware and software) that enhance T&D systems by unlocking new capacity and capabilities to meet electricity system needs. These technologies can help meet load growth, improve the grid's ability to withstand and recover from severe weather, respond to changing customer needs, and provide additional operational flexibility at lower cost than like-for-like equipment replacements.

Advanced grid technologies that are commercially available today, but have not yet reached full market transformation, could be adopted within 3–5 years to increase peak capacity of U.S. T&D systems by 20–100 gigawatts (GW) at lower cost than like-for-like replacements.

CategoryAdvanced Grid Solutions
Advanced Transmission Technologies
  • Advanced Conductors
  • Point-to-point High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC)
Situational Awareness and System Automation Solutions
  • Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) and ADMS applications
  • Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS)
  • Advanced Fault Location, Isolation, Service Restoration (FLISR)
  • Volt/VAR Optimization (VVO)|
  • Smart Reclosers
  • Power Factor Corrections.
  • Substation Automation & Digitization
  • Advanced Sensors
Grid-Enhancing Technologies and Applications
  • Dynamic Line Rating (DLR)
  • Advanced Power Flow Control (APFC)
  • Topology Optimization.
  • Virtual Power Plants (VPPs)
  • Energy Storage (as a T&D asset)
  • Advanced Flexible Transformers
Foundational Systems
  • Communications Technologies
  • Data Management Systems
  • System Digitization and Visualization
  • Alternate Timing and Synchronization
Flexible Modular Transformer (Source: U.S. Department of Energy)

Flexible Modular Transformer (Source: U.S. Department of Energy)