Electric companies demonstrate innovative infrastructure projects on Capitol Hill

Electric companies demonstrated a range of innovative infrastructure projects at the Grid Innovation and Infrastructure Expo held this week on Capitol Hill.

The Edison Electric Institute, GridWise Alliance and National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) hosted the event in conjunction with the U.S. Congressional Grid Innovation Caucus, which is co-chaired by Reps. Jerry McNerney (D-CA), and Bob Latta (R-OH).

“Innovation will be central to the long-term resilience of our nation’s energy infrastructure,” McNerney said. “Today’s expo brings together leading industry companies to highlight new technologies and innovative partnerships that are forging the path for a modern, cleaner power grid. As co-chair of the Congressional Grid Innovation Caucus, I look forward to working with my colleagues on how we can invest in a stronger, more resilient grid that can withstand our current and future challenges.”

Companies showcased modern energy technologies related to electric vehicles, distributed energy management, cybersecurity, advanced metering, storm hardening and more.

The Expo included exhibits from ABB, CenterPoint Energy, Duke Energy, Eaton, Hitachi, Itron, Landis+Gyr, Qubitekk, National Grid, Pepco, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Siemens and Southern California Edison.

“The underlying electrical technologies used to deliver power to customers were largely unchanged throughout the 20th century, and from an electrical-only point of view, they remain fundamentally in place,” NEMA President and CEO Kevin Cosgriff said. “But now and in the years ahead, technological advancements of a different kind will change the grid system in a variety of new and exciting ways. Our increasingly digital 21st-century infrastructure is laden with sensors, produces nearly unimaginable amounts of important data, and communicates via wired and wireless networks in fractions of seconds. This convergence of electricity and information technology is ushering in a more reliable, resilient, and aware power system. Policymakers and grid regulators are key to enabling these modern, innovative grid technologies, and the sooner they act, the better for citizens and society.”