Assessing Texas Load Growth, Electric Power Engineers CEO Suggests Starting Over
‘We need to redesign the grid from scratch.’ -Hala Ballouz
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The grid is facing numerous challenges, and it’s time to rethink its design. According to Hala Ballouz, the problems facing grid operators are too grand and existential to be managed in silos. She believes that a national convention is needed to redesign the grid, overseen by a regulatory body.
The current grid infrastructure is not equipped to handle the increasing demand for electricity, particularly from data centers. The construction of data centers is driving up electricity costs, but it’s not providing any tangible benefits to customers. Ballouz suggests that the infrastructure needed to support data centers should be paid for by the load itself.
Reimagining the Grid
The grid needs to be reimagined to accommodate the changing energy landscape. This includes incorporating new technologies and innovative solutions to improve efficiency and reliability. For example, Meta is tapping into geothermal baseload power to reduce its carbon footprint.
A New Approach
Ballouz suggests that a new approach is needed to address the challenges facing the grid. This includes redesigning the grid from scratch, taking into account the needs of all stakeholders, including customers, utilities, and policymakers.
Conclusion
The grid is facing numerous challenges, and it’s time to rethink its design. A national convention is needed to redesign the grid, overseen by a regulatory body. The current grid infrastructure is not equipped to handle the increasing demand for electricity, and a new approach is needed to address the challenges facing the grid.
Source: POWERGRID International
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