Grid Capacity Evaluation: Preparing Utilities for the Electrification Era

“Proper preparation prevents poor performance.” This phrase, coined by James Baker, former Secretary of State and Chief of Staff to President George H. W. Bush, aptly encapsulates the current challenge facing today’s electric utilities. As global efforts to reduce the carbon footprint and decrease reliance on fossil fuels advance, electric utilities—both municipally and investor-owned—must prepare their systems to handle the rising demand. An overall evaluation of the existing electric capacity as well as predictions for the short- and long-term growth of the system are critical. This type of evaluation will enable utilities to strategically plan for the changing energy landscape.

The Power Struggle: Electrification vs. Grid Capacity

The increasing adoption of consumer electric vehicles and electric school buses, along with widespread electrification across various sectors (such as commercial, residential, and industrial buildings), is placing additional strain on a system that wasn’t designed for it.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity, the nation’s electric grid consists of more than 9,200 electric generating units, which have over 1 million megawatts of generating capacity and are connected to more than 600,000 miles of transmission lines and countless miles of primary and secondary distribution lines. Despite its extensive reach, the U.S. electric grid is aging and inadequately equipped to carry the additional load expected from widespread electrification.

With some components of the grid over a century old—far beyond their 50-year life expectancy—and others well into the second half of their lifespans, infrastructure upgrades are imperative to meet future demands. In 2021, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the U.S. energy infrastructure a grade of C-, underscoring the need for utilities to assess their grid now to ensure there is enough capacity and resilience to support electrification.

What Is a Grid Capacity Evaluation?

A grid capacity evaluation is a comprehensive model of the utility’s electric system and assets, from overhead poles and conductors to transformers and reclosers. The model is used to determine what the existing capacity of the system is, which can identify areas where immediate action is required. In addition, by using growth predictions in the model, a municipal utility can determine what investments will be required over time to ensure their grid can meet the goals of electrification.

Having this vital information early in the planning process enables utilities to make well-informed financial decisions about capital improvements to their system, addressing both present and future demand while minimizing the risk of unexpected obstacles and costs that may potentially derail their electrification initiatives.

While the primary focus of this assessment is on capacity evaluation, other services can be integrated into the process, including assistance with protection and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) devices and the creation of storm maps and switching schemes. These supplementary services can be seamlessly incorporated into the comprehensive model generated for the grid capacity evaluation, providing a more holistic approach to grid management and planning.

Watt’s Next: Planning Today for Tomorrow’s Demand

As legislation and customers march toward an all-electric grid, utilities must be ready to manage the additional load. The existing infrastructure lacks the necessary elements to support the surge in demand from upcoming electrification projects. To scale up the aging transmission and distribution network and meet evolving energy needs, substantial upgrades and improvements are essential.

Conducting a grid capacity evaluation is a critical first step toward creating a resilient and reliable electric grid. By taking this proactive step to strengthen the electric grid, utilities can avoid unforeseen expenses and delays, ensuring long-term reliability of the grid and a smoother transition to a more sustainable future.

Achieving electrification goals requires a clear understanding of where the grid is now and planning for where it needs to go. With extensive utility experience, LaBella is uniquely positioned to guide your municipality through the intricacies of grid capacity evaluation, helping you prepare for future growth and meet your electrification objectives effectively.