The NETL Modern Grid Initiative: What Will the US Modern Grid Cost?

The newly launched modern grid initiative (MGI) is one of the most important programs to arise in the past decade, because its goal is to unite and coordinate other efforts. Sponsored by the Department of Energy and managed by the National Energy Technology Laboratory, MGI does not duplicate or replace existing grid R&D. Rather, it seeks to establish a consensus vision for the future grid. And then to create an open process for coordination, collaboration and sharing. The smart grid strategies mentioned in this paper are based on an integrated suite of existing technologies that, by design, enable the principal characteristics of a modern grid. The industry has a plentiful resource of technologies to modernize the grid. However, the industry is very short on experience in applying new technologies to an age old problem, and even less experience in doing this in an integrated fashion.