Forbes – Adding To The Utility Belt: Tools Powering Grid Resiliency

Energy risks are growing across the United States and Canada, including several areas in jeopardy of energy supply shortfalls amid extreme weather patterns. This is a key warning in the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s (NERC) 2024 Summer Reliability Assessment. While NERC’s assessment found that generation resources and transmission systems are generally adequate to meet peak summer demands, the report also identified several risks that continue to affect grid operators.

As temperatures soar from the effects of climate change, energy demand escalates and the urgency to find solutions accelerates. Grid operators are in critical need of long-term strategies that ensure the reliability and resilience of their systems, not just during the summer’s peak, but consistently throughout the year.

Cleantech infrastructure solutions such as battery energy storage systems (BESS) can have measurable impacts when deployed as grid-scale resources. As opposed to behind-the-meter systems that are located in homes or businesses, front-of-the-meter BESS are strategically positioned on the utility side, offering a direct connection to the grid. These systems are typically under the ownership or operation of utility companies, serving a broader public purpose in balancing the energy equation.

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