The energy network that carries electricity to the United States is obsolete and cannot meet growing demand in clean energy such as wind and solar energy.
Currently, electricity production represents 32% United States carbon dioxide emissions, mainly from the combustion of fossil fuels such as oil, Coal and natural gas.
These fuels are transported and burned where electricity is necessary.
However, Clean energy sources such as solar and wind energy are abundant only in sunny or windy regions, which are not necessarily close to households and businesses.
What's more, with the progressive substitution of fossil fuels by a series of other uses, such as electric cars and heat pumps, Electricity demand increases.
The electrical network aging from the United States is struggling to follow these transmission needs and requires the construction of more new transport networks.
More, This work is not as simple as you might think.
The American energy network is largely aging
Most of the American electricity network was built in the years 1960 et 1970 And is today very fragile.
According to the White House, Currently, more than 70% of the American electrical network has exceeded 25 ans.
The American Energy Department declared in a statement that the Bipartite Bill on the infrastructure of President Biden includes an initiative aimed at stimulating investments in the national electrical network.
In addition to aging, The location of existing transmission lines is also a problem.
The location of the electricity network is not always practical
According to Rob Gramlich's words, Founder of Gray Strategies, reported by CNBC, The American electrical industry was assembled from local public services that meet local needs.
The American transmission line system has been built for this energy production model.
For clean energy sources such as wind and solar energy, It is necessary to transport the energy produced from the places where the wind and the sun are the strongest to the places where electricity is really used.。
The 21st century electricity network must adapt to growing electricity demand to power electric vehicles, Heat pumps, industrial electrification and hydrogen electrolysis, And it must extend to new areas to make the most of wind and solar resources.
These factors mean that we need a larger electricity network with more Long distance transmissions.
The importance of modernizing the energy network
Clean energy is a source of renewable energy which is becoming more and more popular worldwide.
Sources such as solar energy, wind energy and hydroelectric energy are considered viable and durable alternatives to traditional fossil fuels.
However, The use of these clean energy sources poses a major challenge : the need to modernize the energy network.
The energy network is the infrastructure that carries electricity from the source of production to consumers.
It is often aging and designed to meet the energy needs of a different era.
The American energy network, For example, is based on technologies that go back to more than a century.
Accordingly, It is not adapted to today's requirements, especially with regard to clean energy.
How to make it transformation ?
The network is not designed to manage decentralized electricity production, such as that from solar panels or wind turbines, or the intermittent demand for these sources.
The modernization of the energy network is therefore essential to allow transition to clean energy sources.
This modernization can be done in several ways.
First of all, It is necessary to invest in advanced technologies, such as intelligent sensors and control software, To monitor and regulate energy production and consumption on the network.
It is also necessary to set up intelligent networks that allow bidirectional communication between clean energy producers and consumers.
These networks allow consumers to control their energy consumption according to prices and the availability of energy, which can reduce demand peaks and facilitate the integration of clean energy.
Finally, It is necessary to invest in new infrastructure to allow the production and storage of clean energy. Of systems of energy storage, such as batteries, can help meet intermittent demand for solar and wind energy.
The modernization of the energy network is therefore a key element for transition to a clean energy saving.
This requires significant investments, But the long -term advantages of clean energy production and use are considerable.
By modernizing the energy network, We can create a more sustainable and cleaner future for future generations.
What countries use the smart network ?
Smart networks, also known as intelligent electrical networks or intelligent energy distribution networks, are increasingly used worldwide to improve energy efficiency, the reliability and sustainability of the electrical network.
Several countries have started using smart networks to improve their electricity network.
The United States, Japan and China are considered leaders in the adoption of these technologies, while other countries such as Germany, The United Kingdom, France, Spain and Australia have also started to invest in smart networks.
In the United States, cities such as New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Seattle have already started installing smart meters, which allow consumers to follow their energy consumption in real time.
What's more, California state has implemented strict standards for the integration of renewable energy in the electricity network, which has stimulated the adoption of technologies such as storage batteries and micro-networks.
In China, The government has launched a five -year plan to modernize the electricity network, with special attention to intelligent technologies.
China has also invested massively in renewable energies, especially solar and wind energy, and started to set up intelligent networks to integrate these intermittent energy sources in the electricity network.
In Japan, After the earthquake 2011 and Fukushima's nuclear accident, The country has started to turn to clean energy sources and has invested in smart technologies to improve the reliability and resilience of its electricity network.
A Europe, Germany is at the top of the adoption of smart networks, thanks to its transition to clean energy production and its commitment to an energy transition.
France and Spain have also started to invest in smart technologies, While the United Kingdom has launched a plan to modernize its electrical network which includes intelligent technologies.
In Australia, The introduction of intelligent meters into certain states has enabled consumers to better understand their energy consumption and manage their consumption more efficiently.
Furthermore, Australia has started to invest in smart technologies to improve the stability of the electricity network, in particular in the face of the increase in renewable energy production.
SO, Many countries in the world have started to invest in smart networks to improve energy efficiency, the reliability and sustainability of their electrical network.