White House Event Amps Up Grid Modernization Efforts

On June 13, the White House brought together a range of stakeholders from throughout the energy sector -- including utility executives, state regulators, federal agencies, consumer advocates, technology leaders and entrepreneurs -- to discuss along with Administration officials the most effective ways of upgrading our country’s electric grid.

The White House also released a new report, A Policy Framework for a 21stCentury Grid, produced by the Cabinet-level National Science and Technology Council. The advent of a range of information, communications, and energy technologies provides us with an opportunity to upgrade the grid in a manner that will enable it to operate more efficiently, more reliably, and to spur innovation. To take best advantage of the opportunities provided by these technologies, A Policy Framework for a 21stCentury Grid establishes four key priorities:

• "Scale what works" to enable cost-effective smart grid investments;
• Unlock the innovation potential in the electricity sector with a continued focus on open interoperability standards;
• Empower consumers with education and access to their own energy usage information in consumer- and computer- friendly formats, with improved privacy safeguards and consumer protections; and
• Continue to secure the grid against natural disasters and cyber-threats.