Smart Grid

Smart Grid Overview

Smart Grids Are More Efficient and Resilient

A smart grid moves electricity around the nation more efficiently. It draws intelligence from millions of technology components embedded in our generation, transmission, storage, and distribution systems, and it communicates in an ongoing flow of real-time information.

With its advanced monitoring and control capabilities, the smart grid can identify problems instantly, and route electricity around them. In other words, the smart grid can heal itself.

Smart Grid in Action Today

We are making advances in the smart grid today. Working with the U.S. Department of Energy and other partners, we are demonstrating and showcasing our smart distribution system in a pilot project in Irvine, Calif. The system integrates grid-level distribution automation technologies, along with grid-reliability controls, distributed generation, and distributed energy storage.

We look forward to the day when smart grid technologies will heighten reliability and efficiency for everyone.

Meeting Environmental Policy

Smart grid technology will help us meet ambitious environmental policy, like California’s renewable portfolio standard. This policy requires us to ensure that by 2020, at least 33 percent of the electricity we supply is generated by renewable sources. Smart grid technology will help us better integrate intermittent renewable energy from wind and solar generating.

Energy Storage

The electricity industry as a whole is striving to better integrate renewable energy into the grid. We are making progress with tests of advanced batteries for energy storage, and we see long-term benefits to using energy storage devices throughout the electricity grid.

Working with the U.S. Department of Energy, we are testing advanced lithium ion battery systems that will help us heighten the quality of intermittently generated wind energy, and store it for later release into our transmission system.

Helping Consumers Save Energy And Money

We are implementing 5 million smart meters today, and rolling out new tools to help you monitor — and better control — your electricity usage. Smart meters are the consumer touch point of the smart grid.

From generation and transmission to delivery and consumption, our investment in smart grid technology is an investment in secure, reliable and efficient electricity.